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Administrative Order No. 295

I, Bill Walker, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of Article III, Sections 1 and 24 of the Alaska Constitution, establish Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force(s).

Purpose

AS 16.05.221 establishes the Board of Fisheries for the purpose of conservation and development of the fishery resources of the state. Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force(s) (Task Force) will not undermine the role or authority of the Board of Fisheries. A Task Force, comprised of varied interests, working in innovative and cooperative ways, over a finite period of time, will provide observations and recommendations to the Governor on specific assigned fishery issues, which can also serve to assist the Board of Fisheries in the execution of their responsibilities.

Order

Consistent with the purpose and authority stated above, I hereby order that Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force(s) shall be formed as prescribed herein, and that each undertake its responsibilities in accordance with assigned duties.

I further order that the Department of Fish and Game provide the administrative support to a Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force so the group may fulfill its assigned duties.

Structure

A Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force, when activated, will address a specific task (or tasks), as assigned by the Governor, for a finite period of time. A Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force shall serve as an advisory panel to the Governor and develop recommendations regarding issues or process improvement aimed at promoting cooperation and enhancing State fisheries management.

There may be more than one Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force active at any given time.

Task forces will be activated via letter or memorandum from the Governor to the Director of Boards and Commissions and the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, which will include the following:

  1. statement of objective(s);
  2. the composition and size of the task force;
  3. the time period to accomplish objective(s); and
  4. specific deliverables (as required).

Membership

Voting Task Force members will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. A non-voting representative of the Department of Fish and Game will be assigned to the Task Force by the Commissioner to provide background and technical support.

Upon activation, the Office of Boards and Commissions may interview applicants for the Governor’s consideration. Seats are not specifically assigned but will strive to represent as many of the following interests as appropriate:

  1. Commercial fishing;
  2. Sport fishing;
  3. Personal use fisheries;
  4. Subsistence fisheries;
  5. Fishery enforcement;
  6. Fishery science; and
  7. Conservation

A Task Force may set operating procedures as bylaws and establish sub-workgroup committees as it considers appropriate. Workgroup committees may include individuals who are not members of the Task Force.

The Task Force shall hold meetings no less than quarterly; with additional meetings authorized at the call of the chair, at the call of a majority of members, or as specified in the activation letter or memorandum. Meetings of a Task Force or Task Force committees should be held telephonically or by video conference insomuch as practical to minimize travel expenses. All Task Force meetings and any workgroups shall comply with AS 44.62.310 – 44.62.319 (Open Meetings Act). A Task Force also may hold public hearings and request information from the public and other interested persons necessary to carry out its advisory functions.

A Task Force member does not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; however, per diem and travel expenses authorized for boards and commissions under AS 39.20.180 are authorized for members of a Task Force who are not State, federal, or local government employees. Per diem and travel expenses for a member of a Task Force who is a representative of a government agency are the responsibility of that agency.

Records of each Task Force and any workgroups are subject to inspection and copying as public records under AS 40.25.100 – 40.25.295 (Alaska Public Records Act).

Nothing in this order affects the procedures and requirements for adopting regulations, including procedures for notice and comment on proposed regulations under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act).

Duration

Each Governor’s Fisheries Advisory Task Force expires as stipulated in its activation letter or memorandum.

This Order takes effect immediately and remains in effect until rescinded.

Dated this 4th day of June, 2018.

/s/Bill Walker
Governor

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