Tony Knowles on Jobs 2004 former Democratic Challenger for Senate (AK; previously served as Governor)

Urges “crab rationalization repair” to restore lost jobs

Last year, the perilous Bering Sea crab fishery was rationalized, and one result was dramatic consolidation of the fleet as many boat owners transferred their catch rights to other boats. Hundreds of crew jobs disappeared overnight, causing an outcry in some Alaska ports.

Knowles is urging a “crab rationalization repair” to try to restore some of the lost jobs, and all the candidates say regulators should not rush to rationalize other fisheries. But some critics say Knowles deserves some blame for the problem, because his representative in 2002 offered what became the final design of crab rationalization.

All the candidates say the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is underfunded, lacking enough people and tools to study and protect the fish and their habitat.

Promote job opportunities via small business

Create block grants for Agricultural Stewardship.

• The WGA would like to join the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) in proposing a new concept, one that NASDA has dubbed “A New Vision for Agricultural Stewardship.” The NASDA concept calls for the creation of a state block grant program, designed to allow states the flexibility to target resources to their specific conservation and environmental needs. Under the plan, the state departments of agriculture, in conjunction with state and local agriculture and conservation partners, develop priorities to be addressed under their block grant umbrella.
• The NASDA block grant proposal promotes broad flexibility in this development, noting that the block grant can be used to address threats to soil, air, water and wildlife; or be used to meet state or federal environmental regulations; or make “beneficial cost-effective changes to cropping systems, grazing management, manure, nutrient, pest, or irrigation management, land uses, or other measures needed to conserve and improve soil, water, and related natural resources.” The intent is to not duplicate existing programs, but to give states the ability to address areas of specific need. The funding could even be designated for use in existing state conservation or environmental programs, should a state find that’s where the most need rests.
• Under the Agricultural Stewardship Program, the states would enter into cooperative agreements with USDA on an annual basis and issue annual reports to USDA regarding the progress to date and future intentions.
• While Western Governors feel the program outlined above is extremely important, it must be defined broadly so that Governors may designate a lead state agency, and it must be weighed in conjunction with the need for improvements and adjustments to existing conservation and environmental programs.