 To Fashion Subsistence Solution April 18, 2002
Murkowski, in a statement prepared for delivery at the Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on subsistence in Alaska, renewed his call for Alaskans to pass a state constitutional amendment to provide for a rural subsistence preference. But he emphasized that such an amendment would not go into effect until passage of specific congressional changes to Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to clarify the law. "My belief is that the best way to find a lasting solution is by working together. Many groups have a vested interest in subsistence policy and management. Decisions on how we manage subsistence in Alaska will affect not only subsistence users, but sport and commercial fishermen as well. We need to carefully consider the views of each group that will be potentially affected," said Murkowski. "Clearly we need a subsistence solution that does not discriminate or divide the people of Alaska on the basis of race or culture. We need a solution that is inclusive of all people and cultures in Alaska, and I believe the intent of our Alaska State Constitution was to accomplish this inclusiveness. "I want management of all of Alaska's fish and wildlife resources put back into the hands of Alaskans. And most importantly, I want to see a clearly defined and enforceable rural preference for subsistence hunting and fishing - one that is legally sound and fair to all Alaskans," said Murkowski. Murkowski, who was forced to miss part of the hearing because he was floor managing the amendment to permit oil exploration in the Arctic coastal plain, asked that the committee's hearing record be kept open so that all Alaskans who want to submit their views can present written testimony for the committee record. The oversight hearing, sought by the Alaska Federation of Natives, and chaired by Committee Chairman Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, gave AFN representatives a chance to explain their views on the subsistence issue.
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