Alaskans benefit from Denali Tourism Dollars

Grizzly bear in Denali National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A new National Park Service report shows that the more than 530,000 visitors who came to Denali National Park and Preserve in 2014 spent $5.24 million in communities near the park. That spending supported almost 7,000 jobs in the local area (includes those for the 300-plus employees of the park’s largest concessionaire) and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $7.48 million.

“Denali National Park is a world-class destination that has been welcoming visitors from Alaska, the rest of the United States, and from all over the globe for nearly a century,” said Park Superintendent Don Striker. “Even though our main season is relatively short, visitor spending on lodging, camping, meals, guided recreational activities and other items plays a significant role in supporting the local and state economies, as the majority of our visitors also travel to other sites within the state.”

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• Copper River Valley Fishing

Legislature narrowly rejects Ruffner for Board of Fisheries

View across Cook Inlet from downtown Anchorage,

Another Board of Fisheries nominee has fallen victim to the aggressive politics of the Cook Inlet fish wars.

The Legislature voted 30-29 against confirming Gov. Bill Walker’s Board of Fisheries nominee Robert Ruffner during the end of session confirmation hearing on April 19.

Walker nominated Ruffner to the position following the resignation of Karl Johnstone as the board chair and subsequent withdrawal by Roland Maw after criminal charges were filed against him in Montana over receiving resident hunting and fishing licenses.

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Alaska Board of Fish nominee Robert Ruffner makes his case

OK, we’re all Alaskans and we seem to love a good political fight. We really like to fight about fish. So grab the popcorn for the next round. If you’re following this, then you’ve seen half a dozen editorials, letters to the editor and stories over my nomination to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, all written by someone else. Most recently from an out-of-state individual paid to advance one group’s vision. With a couple days to go before the Legislature makes a decision, you need to hear from the applicant himself.

My name is Robert Ruffner. I’m a married, dedicated father of two young daughters and a proud dipnetter from the Kenai who can’t think of any better way to get fish onto the average Alaskans’ table. Every sockeye in my freezer and in jars on our shelf came from a dipnet. I harvest near my family’s limit and we eat every one. I will support and defend access to these fish and work very hard to improve the access of this fishery to ensure its continued success. What is needed moving forward is a better understanding and appreciation of these fisheries importance to the average Alaskan and recognition that each has unique challenges.

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House OKs higher hunting, fishing fees

Bagging brown bears, moose will get costly for non-residents

The Alaska House voted 33-7 Wednesday on a bill to increase hunting and fishing license fees as a way to raise revenue for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

House Bill 137 is the first significant change to resident hunting and fishing fees in 24 years and the first significant change to nonresident fees in 17 years, lead sponsor Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, said Wednesday.

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Politics at the Anchorage game and fish committee

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One-third of the committee that represents the people of Anchorage at the boards that regulate hunting and fishing in Alaska resigned this week, saying their advice is consistently ignored.

Six of the Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee’s 17 members resigned Tuesday at an annual meeting. Two members serve as alternates.

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