Talking Points 9/25/01

· Declaration of Economic Disaster. On August 24, 2001, the Governor declared an economic disaster in the salmon fisheries in the Norton Sound region; the main stem of the Yukon River downstream from Rampart; Kuskokwim Bay and the Kuskokwim River downstream from Chuathbaluk; the Dillingham census area, and the Bristol Bay and Lake and Peninsula Boroughs; and the Aleutians East Borough east of Cape Sarichef.

· Federal Support efforts. The Governor will soon send a letter to the President of the United States to make him aware of the seriousness of the situation and to request his assistance in marshalling federal resources and seeking additional federal funds to assist in diversifying the economies in the affected regions. Since the letter requests federal aid, it was delayed in deference to the September 11 terrorism attacks.

· Coordinated Response Partnership. The Department of Community and Economic Development has organized a Coordinated Response Partnership (CRP) for all agency responses to the economic disaster. The first meeting was held on September 10, 2001. Biweekly meetings are scheduled to monitor and respond to the disaster.

· Home Heating Fuel. Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has been working with communities and regional nonprofit organizations to expedite applications for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in many communities that needed to meet early barge schedules.

· Rural Energy Assistance. The Alaska Energy Authority is continuing to work with rural communities through their regular bulk fuel loan program. The federal government has just provided $5 million to increase the size of the bulk fuel loan fund. This will allow more communities to receive loans.

· ATTAP Levels Restored. The DHSS has restored the level of assistance to eligible two parent families that receive Alaska Temporary Assistance Program for the months of July, August, and September 2001.

· Loan Extension Fee Waived. The Division of Investments has waived the $100 loan extension application fee for borrowers in the salmon fisheries of the affected regions who apply for extensions on loans to purchase or refinance items utilized in fisheries in the regions and will work with borrowers to protect their interests in fish permits, boats and gear.

· Job Summits and Economic Summits. During the fall and winter of 2001, the Department of Community and Economic Development will coordinate with the unions, Associated General Contractors, Denali Training Fund, training institutions and federal and state agencies to discuss rural construction projects and training opportunities available to the regions. A summit addressing both jobs and economic development is scheduled in Dillingham on November 15-17, 2001.

· Research Efforts. The state is pursuing needed research which taps the knowledge and skills of local people and organizations on the biology and science of salmon runs of Western Alaska, changing ocean conditions and the ocean survival of Alaska salmon. The following two projects are ongoing.

Norton Sound Research Initiative. An initial agreement has been reached on the federal fisheries research for the Norton Sound Initiative on Salmon Research and Restoration. The purpose of the Norton Sound Initiative is to develop a comprehensive and strategic salmon research and restoration plan using a collaborative, regional and inter-agency based approach.

AYK Research Initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding on A-Y-K Salmon Research and Restoration was developed through discussions with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Association of Village Council Presidents, the Tanana Chiefs Conference, and Kawerak, Inc. The purpose is to provide a forum to engage in a collaborative, regional and interagency-based approach to developing and implementing a comprehensive and strategic A-Y-K Salmon Research and Restoration Plan. A request for $40 million in federal funding has been submitted to the Alaska congressional delegation.