November 25, 2002
Release 02266

DEPARTMENTAL AGREEMENT ENSURES SAFE FISH PASSAGE
Transportation, Fish and Game Ink Pact to Allow Access to Habitat

Recognizing the importance of fish resources to individual Alaskans and Alaska's economy, two state agencies have signed a memorandum of agreement to ensure continued safe passage for fish to their habitat, Gov. Tony Knowles announced today.

"Our fisheries resources improve the life of every Alaskan," Knowles said. "Industries based on fish harvests are the largest employers in the state and provide revenues second only to the sale of the state's oil and gas. Subsistence and personal-use fisheries are a main source of food for many Alaskans. Our world-class sport fishery is a major contributor to our economy and our quality of life."

Both anadromous and resident fish populations depend on safe, reliable passage when migrating to spawning, rearing, and over-wintering grounds. Barriers to safe fish passage caused by dams, culverts, tide gates, dikes, and other in-stream structures are one of the major factors in the decline of salmon and trout throughout the Pacific Northwest where many salmon and trout populations are now listed as "threatened."

"Alaska is fortunate, in that we are one of the few areas in the world where fish species and habitats are generally intact," Knowles said. "Unlike the Pacific Northwest, we do not have hydroelectric dams that affect migration in major salmon-producing rivers. Yet there are barriers to fish migration along our highway system, such as perched culverts and velocity barriers, resulting from past design, construction, or maintenance practices. This agreement addresses those past problems, ensuring safe fish passage into the future."

The agreement signed by Commissioner Frank Rue of the Department of Fish and Game, and Commissioner Joe Perkins of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities includes the following provisions:

1. When funding or authorizing capital improvement projects and maintenance activities that affect safe fish passage, the agencies will ensure that safe fish passage to spawning, rearing and over-wintering habitat is maintained.
2. The agencies will work cooperatively to process in a timely manner all necessary permits and approvals required for transportation projects.
3. The agencies will ensure that technical resource information regarding safe fish passage is made available on the state Web site for use by local governments, other state and federal agencies, consultants and other entities. Agencies will explore other opportunities for cooperation with local, federal and private entities regarding research, monitoring and information sharing in the fields of transportation engineering and habitat science.
4. The agencies will meet annually to prioritize corrective actions to remove barriers to safe fish passage. At that time, agencies will agree to a schedule for corrective actions.
5. The agencies will work cooperatively and continually to assess the effectiveness of standards, construction techniques, and mitigation strategies for Alaska's safe fish passage and will use this information to test, refine, and apply new techniques to improve the program's success. The agencies will jointly report on the implementation and effectiveness of this policy within five years and will make recommendations for any corrective actions if current strategies are failing to provide for adequate safe fish passage.

The agreement expands on a similar memorandum of understanding signed by the two agencies last year that applied only to the design and construction of culverts.

"This agreement directs the state's fish habitat and transportation experts to continue their cooperative efforts, including funding, to ensure safe fish passage as Alaska develops our transportation infrastructure into the 21st century," Knowles said. "At its core is a belief that in Alaska we can have quality transportation infrastructure and abundant fisheries resources. Both are vital for Alaska to retain its economic vitality, its wonder, and its desirability as a home to cherish and a preeminent destination for visitors."

Contact:
Bob King - Press Secretary (907) 465-3995
Julie Hammonds - Deputy Press Secretary (907) 465-3996