AK HJR32

Alaska Legislature opposes a lawsuit filed by the United Cook Inlet Drift Association (commercial gill net fishermen) seeking federal preemption of state salmon management in Cook Inlet and challenging resident-only dip net fisheries as unconstitutional

Requests the United Cook Inlet Drift Association drop its lawsuit and asks Governor Sarah Palin to direct the attorney general to oppose the litigation

Defends resident-only personal use dip net fisheries at Kenai, Kasilof, and Chitina rivers, which issued 18,500-23,700 permits annually (2006-2008) for Kenai/Kasilof and over 8,000 permits for Chitina

Requests the Governor re-examine what the resolution characterizes as disproportionate influence of commercial fishing industries on state fisheries management at the Board of Fisheries and North Pacific Fisheries Management Council levels

Copies directed to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, Governor Palin, Attorney General Wayne Anthony Ross, and Fish and Game Commissioner Denby Lloyd