Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

Tveit, James H., Federal Housing Administration.

68

Wakefield, Harry A., director, Alaska State Division of Aviation_
White, Wilton, chairman, Kodiak Island Borough__

[blocks in formation]

Alaska Conservation Society, Kodiak-Aleutian Chapter, statement of.......
Alaska Railroad:

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Monthly detail of rail line freight traffic, month of May, 1970, and
11 months preceding...

Federal Reconstruction and Development Planning Commission,
members of... _ _ _ _ _ _

Final recommendations on risk classifications, Anchorage and

vicinity.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

PROBLEMS OF ALASKA

TO EXPLORE THE MANY ASPECTS OF THE FIELD OF OCEANOGRAPHY AND THE FUTURE OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD IN ALASKA

MONDAY, JULY 6, 1970

U.S. SENATE,

COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMERCE,

Kodiak, Alaska.

The committees met, pursuant to call, at 11:05 a.m., in the Kodiak Electric Association Auditorium, Kodiak, Alaska, Senator Mike Gravel presiding.

Present: Senators Gravel, Young, Jordan, and Cook.

Also present: Senator Stevens.

Staff members present: M. Barry Meyer, counsel; Bailey Guard, assistant chief clerk, minority; Tom Smythe, assistant to Senator Gravel; and Ron Birch, assistant to Senator Stevens.

Senator GRAVEL. The joint committees will come to order.

We are just complimenting ourselves on the fact we scheduled the hearing for 11 o'clock and it is 5 minutes after 11, and that is not bad when we consider we kept about 30 people together from the Anchorage Westward Hotel to here.

Let me introduce the gentlemen who are guests in Alaska for this hearing.

On my immediate left is Senator Stephen Young from the State of Ohio who has 20 years' service in the Congress of the United States, 12 in the House, I believe, and 8 in the Senate.

Senator YOUNG. Eight in the House and 12 in the Senate, Senator. Senator GRAVEL. I am sorry, Senator Young. I am accurate, however, when I say that you are one of the ranking members on the Public Works Committee.

Next to him, of course, is the famous Senator from North Carolina, Everett Jordan, who has been in the Senate ever since 1958 and is also one of the ranking members and, also, chairman of a subcommittee of the Committee on Public Works.

On my immediate right is Marlow Cook from the Commerce Committee which concerns itself with fisheries, transportation, and many other vital needs to Alaska.

Of course on my far right is Senator Ted Stevens, the Senior Senator from the State of Alaska.

We will be addressing ourselves primarily to the two areas of oceanography and the Coast Guard.

To those witnesses we have here; if they want to expand beyond those two subject areas should certainly feel free to do so. And if there is anyone here who feels that he must give testimony when we

have completed the scheduled list we would be happy to entertain. his testimony.

I would like to welcome Mr. Wilton White, chairman of the Kodiak Island Borough.

Sir, please come up and take your seat and proceed with your testimony.

STATEMENT OF WILTON WHITE, CHAIRMAN, KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH

Mr. WHITE. Senator Gravel and other distinguished Senators in the group, other members of the party, my name is Wilton White. I am chairman of the Kodiak Island Borough.

I have a brief written statement I would like to present to you at this time if I may read it.

Senator GRAVEL. Please do.

Mr. WHITE. Alaska's resources include minerals, timber, oil, and furs but the ocean fisheries have been the consistant major contributor to the economy since the acquisition of the territory from Russia. During the past years, Alaskans have pursued means of utilizing to the maximum the resources of the State. This concept of maximum utilization included not only the harvesting of the resource but also a responsible program of management and study.

Proposed as a part of the fisheries is a program identified as trident, a three-unit complex consisting of: (1) An oceanographic research center; (2) a University of Alaska fishery research program; and (3) an academic extension of the University of Alaska oriented to fisheries and the ocean. It is our belief that this approach is sound and that a long-range responsible program for development of marine resources should include that proposal.

Through the years we have seen the peak harvest and decline and, in some cases, almost total depletion of several species including the fur seal, whales, cod, herring, and in some areas king crab. Others, such as salmon and halibut, are now fished on a highly regulated basis with the objective of sustained annual yield which appears to be the key to lasting utilization of the resource. Other species such as shrimp and scallop still present a question as to the amount of pressure they will bear from the fishery.

It is imperative that knowledge be obtained in the near future that will give a greater insight to sea life. Questions regarding quantities, the balances required to sustain any given specie, food sources, reproductive information, and migratory habits must be answered to make the regulatory and supervisory services effective. It is apparent that our ocean source of food requires more surveillance and management. If we are to compete with foreign fisheries, we must bring our research and scientific efforts above theirs.

Kodiak, in the geographic and industry center, is a logical and strategic site for location of an oceanographic institute which could develop as part of the trident program. The closure of the Kodiak Naval Station, which appears possible at this time, would release portions of a complete facility, including harbor, docks, and buildings appropriate for this occupancy. In addition, the community of Ko

« PreviousContinue »