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Fish and Game
officials outline habitat regulation transfer
Details on the Governor's order for the transfer of title 16 permitting
duties from the Habitat Division of Fish and Game to the Natural Resources
Department were outlined during a press conference late yesterday
afternoon.
Acting Fish and Game Commissioner Kevin Duffy and his Administrative
Services Director, Kevin Brooks met with reporters.
When asked how many positions will be transferred, Duffy says they didn't
have specific numbers yet. Of the 105 authorized positions, 85 are now
filled. He said the exact number of transfers will depend on the
additional work that must still be done by officials from both
departments.
Upwards of 50 could be cut. Duffy says Murkowski Chief of Staff Jim Clark
cited that figure in a meeting last week with Habitat Division staff. The
commissioner says he believes that number is flexible and depends on the
work the departments must still accomplish. At that point, he says its a
matter of presenting the plan to the Governor's Office and reaching a
concurrence on what are the proper levels.
An executive order officially making the change is still pending. Duffy
says its his understanding the document will be delivered to the
Legislature next week.
Duffy says the legal advice given to the Governor says the transfer can
occur under terms of an executive order.
Bills streamlining
permitting introduced by minority Democrats
Minority Democrats have introduced legislation to streamline state permit
applications. Bills were submitted in both houses.
The sponsors in the House include Juneau Representative Beth Kerttula and
Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz.
Kerttula says the measure calls for a clearinghouse agency in the
Governor's Office. But Governor Murkowski is planning to make the Natural
Resources Department the central point for permitting. As part of that
plan, Murkowski proposes eliminating the Division of Governmental
Coordination in his office.
Kerttula thinks the Governor and his administration will ultimately find
that it will be easier in the long run to keep this authority in the
Governor's Office. She says the departments have different missions and by
law are required to examine projects differently.
Kerttula says she's anxious to learn the complete details of the
Governor's plan since most of the 50 positions that could face elimination
are from her area. She agrees that changes are probably needed, but they
can be accomplished in what she calls "a smart, logical way."
The Democrat's bill requires to answer an applicant within 60 days or
provide an explanation for the delay.
Newest Princess ship delayed at
shipyard
Delivery of the 88,000 ton Island Princess by a shipyard in France has
been postponed which will delay its inaugural trip to Alaska this summer.
That according to Kirby Day who is Princess Cruises' Director of Shore
Operations in Alaska. As a result, he says there will be a loss of six
sailings to Alaska ports, including Juneau.
The first sailing was originally scheduled in May. He says that will now
occur on July 12. The vessel will make stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and
Skagway on its voyage from Vancouver to Seward.
The Island Princess is the sister to the Coral Princess. They are the
largest of the line's ships to be able to transit the Panama Canal.
Fog cancels one flight, delays
others
This morning's (Thursday) dense fog impacted Alaska Airlines operations at Juneau's
airport.
Alaska Flight 73 northbound to Anchorage held in Sitka this morning
waiting for fog to clear here. It circled the airport for awhile before
its landing was cancelled.
Flight 60 was on the ground here this morning , but delayed its takeoff
because of weather in Ketchikan and Seattle. It finally left at 11:37.
Flight 60 normally departs here at 7:15. Flight 69 cancelled its stop in
Ketchikan while on its way to Juneau last night. The plane that arrives in
the evening turns into Flight 60 the next morning.
Flight 61 got in at about 11:30, over an hour late. Flight 62 was about
ten minutes late.
Arena opens
for business
The Treadwell Arena at Savikko Park on Douglas opened this morning.
CBJ Parks and Recreation Director Kim Kiefer was there when it opened at
10:30...She says there were quite few people there ready to skate. She
figures between 50 to 60 showed up for the over 50 skate at 10:30.
Among the skaters for the open period starting at 12:15 were a number of
school children. Kiefer says the school district probably noticed it was
short a some students as a result.
She said others just showed up to see what the arena looked like.
The grand opening for the $3 point 5 Million facility is scheduled for
Saturday, February 22nd.
Bids out for next phase of Project
2005 at Juneau's hospital
Contract bids for the next phase of Bartlett Regional Hospital's Project
2005 are expected in soon. The next phase of the $40 Million expansion
plan calls for construction of the new three story building. Bartlett
official Marijo Toner said on KINY's Capital Chat this morning that the
bids went out January 20th.
She says hospital officials are hopeful that the numbers will correspond
with the available funding. Toner says they have conducted a series of
pre-bid conference meetings this week to review the plans with
contractors.
The ground breaking is set for April. Toner says the first thing that must
happen a wing housing the orthopedic clinic must move. The plan calls for
that move to occur by the end of this month. When that is accomplished,
the wing will be torn down in advance of starting construction the new
building.
Its scheduled for completion in August of 2004 with the entire project
wrapped up by the first quarter of 2006.
The first phase of Project 2005 was renovation of the Medical Arts
Building which was completed last year.
Juneau voters authorized a one percent hike in the sales tax in 2000 to
help pay for Project 2005.
Initial bills filed by Alaska's
newest member of Congress
Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced her first three bills this week and all
are measures her father had pursued.
The first would give a big boost to funding for the Denali Commission. The
bill, co-sponsored by Senator Stevens, would allow the commission to fund
up to 450 million dollars a year in transportation projects.
Murkowski says transportation is essential to the Denali Commission's goal
of rural economic development.
The second bill would extend a provision in the Medicaid formula that has
the federal government paying for 60 percent of the program in Alaska. The
feds pay only 50 percent for other states. Murkowski cites the higher cost
of health care in Alaska as the reason for the difference.
The third measure allows North Slope whaling captains to take tax
deductions for the costs of outfitting their boats and crews.
Another suspect sought in
counterfeit check scam
The F-B-I says it's seeking a fourth man connected to a counterfeiting
ring that used fake Alaska state checks. Investigators say Gerald Steven
Reeves Jr. is wanted on charges of bank fraud. Investigators think he may
have left the state. The scheme bilked banks of more than 100-thousand
dollars.
Judge says not to venue change for
latest Mateu murder trial
Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins says she will not order a change of
venue from Ketchikan in the third murder trial for 19-year-old Jose
``Che'' Mateu. Mateu is charged with first-degree murder and tampering
with evidence in the January 2000 shooting death of his father, Jose R.
Mateu.
Hospital's program for kids
scheduled for Saturday
Kids Safe sponsored by Bartlett Regional Hospital is set for this Saturday
at Centennial Hall.
John Wray is chairing the effort. He said on KINY's Capital Chat this
morning that registration is scheduled for nine a.m. The first class
begins at 9:30 with the last one starts at 2:30.
Lunch prepared by the Alaska Native Sisterhood is available at the Zach
Gordon Center from 11 to one. Wray says kids can sign up for the lunch
during registration.
Over 25 organizations are participating including the Juneau Police
Department which will make up identification cards for the kids.
The event is free of charge and is open to children from the ages of 3 to
13.
Alaska's warm weather spurs
warning
The National Weather Service is warning of deteriorating ice conditions on
rivers and lakes in Southcentral Alaska, due to the unusually warm
temperatures. Alaskans are being urged to use caution on rivers and lakes.
Alaska Juneau Communications - KINY Radio News) |
