HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2001-017
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Sponsored by: Janke
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2001-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE QUTEKCAKSHELLFISHHATCHERY AND
THE COMMENTS THEY SUBMITTED ON REGULATIONS BEING
PROPOSED BY THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
REGARDING AQUATIC FARMING
WHEREAS, the Qutekcak Shellfish Hatchery (QSH) was built by and is owned by the Alaska
Department ofFish & Game (ADFG), leased to the City of Seward, and the lease is assigned to the
Qutekcak Native Tribe for operations and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, QSH was built to overcome the largest hurdle facing the shellfish farming
industry in Alaska, i.e. the absence of a source of any species other than oysters and the farmer's
inability to secure sufficient quantities of high quality oyster seed from outside sources; and
WHEREAS, QSH is the only private permitted producer of indigenous shellfish seed in
Alaska; and
WHEREAS, growth of the industry, and QSH success, requires diversification into new
higher value species (geoduck clam, littleneck clam, rock scallop, and basket cockle) as identified in
the business plan as a key component of operational feasibility, that was required by statute, and
reviewed and approved by ADFG prior to granting a hatchery permit; and
WHEREAS, the existing language of the Constitution, Statutes, Administrative Code, and
ADFG's regulations provide a consistent and reasonable basis to promote the shellfish farming
industry in Alaska and to protect fish and wildlife resources and existing uses; and
WHEREAS, ADFG's current interpretation of existing regulations and their proposed
amendments violates the will of the people as expressed through their legislators in the Aquatic Farm
Act of 1988 and interpretations articulated by the Department in 1996, 1998, and 2000 supporting
on-bottom culture of indigenous species.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that;
Section 1. Concurs that ADFG should attach conditions to issuing a permit that are necessary
to protect natural fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and other uses, but attaching conditions
to permit applications, and existing farmers that are not necessary to protect resources or,existing
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2001-017
uses are detrimental to the farmers, applicants, and the QSH, all of whom have an interdependent
relationship.
Section 2. The Seward City Council supports the concept that existing regulations are
adequate to protect the resources and existing uses when consistently applied on a case-by-case basis
in reviewing applications for new aquatic farm sites. If a complete revision of the regulations is
nonetheless forthcoming, the Seward City Council urges the Department to allow and encourage
input in developing regulations that will promote rather than hinder the growth of the aquatic farming
industry in Alaska while protecting the resource and existing uses.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 22 day of
January, 2001.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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Edgar Blatchford, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Blatchford, Brossow, Calhoon, Clark, King, Shafer
None
Orr
None
ATTEST:
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Patrick Reilly
City Clerk ..
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