Letters to the Editor

What have critics of Huber, KRSA done to protect fish, habitat?

I was present every day at the most recent Board of Fish hearings, and these controversial restrictions were a direct result of the board attempting to satisfy all user groups while still protecting the resource. Fisheries management is not an exact science; therefore, responsible managers and regulators need to err on the side of conservation.

Contrary to popular belief among many who were not present, there was no preconceived "master plan" encompassing slot limits, catch and release, and fishing with bait at this most recent Board of Fish meeting. Anyone who has participated in this complex process knows that things happen fast, evolving as they go, changing directions suddenly and often taking unintentional turns down paths unknown.

Problems were identified, and the board addressed them as best it could. For once I agree with Les Palmer, who eloquently states that it is "a system deserving of our support. We should cherish and take pride in it."

But how can Les wonder how our most recent regulations came about? The board is not some super-human group with the powers of ESP; it listens to input from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and others who voluntarily provide it. It seems to me that those complaining the most and screaming "conspiracy theory" the loudest are those who didn't participate, don't understand the process and won't take the time to gather the facts. Whining and finger pointing after the fact accomplish little. Perhaps some good can come from this, though, as some individuals come to realize that "government is run by the people who show up!"

The bottom line: Some folks just don't care enough about the resource to participate in the latest Board of Fish hearings. (For those financially unable to attend, the process of written testimony allows them to participate by submitting their opinion in writing.)

Our new management plan of early run Kenai kings is far from perfect, but it is a step in the right direction, protecting nearly all of the declining big chinook that the river is so famous for, yet allowing some lucky angler to keep a potential world record. Something had to be done, as the Department of Fish and Game estimates that the 7-year old-five-ocean component makes up only one-half of 1 percent of the early run of Kenai kings.

I find it ironic (and almost funny) that Les Palmer, in his final segment of "Righting the Wrongs," states that "sport fishing interests chose to ignore this committee (the Kenai-Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee) thus skipping part of the public process," while the top story of the very same edition of the Peninsula Clarion quotes John McCombs, a commercial fisherman and advisory committee participant, as saying "Basically, (Huber) has privatized the river. They have this derby, and all they do is create hassles for everyone else." With ridiculous attitudes and ludicrous statements like this, is there any wonder why guides and sport-fishing advocates are reluctant to attend and participate at the Kenai-Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee?

This same advisory committee didn't even have the courtesy to invite Mr. Huber to its meeting to defend himself. These people aren't interested in the truth or the resource. They're only interested in themselves and what serves them best over the short term. Kenai River Sportfishing Association, on the other hand, has pumped nearly $2.5 million into projects protecting the river over the past seven years.

I have but one question for Mr. Palmer, Mr. Tarbox, Mr. McCombs and anyone immature enough to sign a ridiculous newspaper advertisement criticizing KRSA and Brett Huber: What have you done to protect and restore habitat, educate the public, teach our youth, establish responsible public access, pump dollars into our local economy?

Finally, addressing the claim that some open-minded Kenai River guides and supporters of catch and release have self-serving motives, I would wholeheartedly agree: We simply want our fellow anglers, whether they be friends or foe, family or clients, resident or nonresident, to be able to sport fish for these very special fish for generations to come. If you misconstrue that to be selfish, then I guess I'm the most selfish sport fisherman in our great state!

Greg Brush

Proud Kenai River guide

Proud catch-and-release fisherman

Proud participant in the

Board of Fish process

Proud supporter of Brett Huber and KRSA

Alaskans should contact legislators about Board of Fisheries nominee

All of you that consider fishing for food to be as Alaskan as motherhood and apple pie should contact your legislators ASAP. Brett Huber, a current Knowles appointee to the Board of Fisheries, stands to be confirmed by your legislators within the next few days.

Mr. Huber represents a new philosophy in fish management that promotes catch-and-release, play-with-your-food fisheries over traditional Alaska fish-for-food opportunities. This translates into fisheries for elitist "sportsmen" having priority over those who choose to harvest for their table.

Please contact your legislators today and insist that they vote no on Brett Huber's Board of Fisheries confirmation. Send a public opinion message today!

Bill Sullivan

Kenai

Nominee will not represent best interest of Alaskans, fish resources

Residents of the Kenai Peninsula, on behalf of the residents of the state of Alaska, need your help in stopping the confirmation of Brett Huber to the Board of Fisheries. We know him and have worked around him and feel strongly that he is not appropriate for the Board of Fisheries. We feel this for the following reasons:

Recently in Kodiak there were over 100 individuals representing all sectors of the salmon industry that came together in a common cause of revitalizing our salmon resources. New thoughts and management practices very well may be in the future if this industry is going to recover. Mr. Huber was too busy to attend the salmon summit, even though other nominees to the Board of Fisheries were in attendance. If Mr. Huber was concerned about the future of the commercial salmon industry, he should have attended the salmon summit.

Over 600 residents of the Kenai Peninsula have personally taken the time to write senators and representatives asking them not to confirm Mr. Huber. These written comments come from the commercial guides, commercial fishermen, processors, businesses and just everyday Joe Fisherman. One hundred fifty-two community leaders each paid $10 for a full-page ad in our local newspaper expressing displeasure with Mr. Huber and his views of salmon management. This group included 11 retired fishery biologists and former Board of Fisheries members.

Fish and Game advisory groups in Anchorage and here on the Kenai Peninsula also have opposed Mr. Huber and his views of salmon management. Just recently our local Native community also has publicly opposed the nomination of Mr. Huber to the Board of Fisheries.

In short, Mr. Huber's nomination is a desperate move by two or three Anchorage politicians to promote an anti-commercial fishing agenda. Mr. Huber represents poor salmon management ideas and practices that are not in the best interest of Alaskans or the salmon resources. Your senators and representatives need to stop the confirmation of this individual to the Board of Fisheries.

For further information on these issues, please refer to www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com.

Roland R. Maw

Kasilof

Cook Inlet Academy boys team deserves more recognition

I recently returned from three days of great basketball in Anchorage: the 2002 State 2A Girls and Boys Tournament. My problem is I think your sports writer was out in left field.

After checking out the Clarion April 5, 7, 8 and 9, I found three pictures of the Ninilchik boys, seven pictures of the Ninilchik girls and no pictures of the Cook Inlet Academy boys. After all, they are the State 2A Boys State Champions. Thanks to a godly coach and a great team of godly boys, they did deserve to win.

One other thing, the academy is not asking for more state money to run its school program. Also, I understand that Juneau won't allow any private schools to give the exit exam. Does this tell the taxpayer anything?

I just called the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office and found that the projected cost per student for 2002-2003 is $7,649. The cost for private schools is around $4,000 per student per year. Something is not right.

Earl Miller

Soldotna

P.S. I don't know how Daily News/Alaska Media could have missed Jacob Peterson on the AllState Team, Third Team or at least an honorable mention. Great job, Jacob.

State income tax only deductible if taxpayers itemize deductions

The governor, Legislature and those promoting a state income tax are telling you that you can deduct these taxes from your federal tax return. This is only true if you itemize deductions.

If you take the standard deduction on your federal return, as most taxpayers do, you are unable to claim state income tax as a deduction. Don't be taken in by their deceit.

Roy E. Hoyt Jr.

Homer