The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday accepted more than $200,000 in relief funds for economic disasters in local fisheries while at the same time calling for the governor to recognize another disaster for last year’s season.
The funding stems from fishery disasters that were first recognized and allocated in 2022 — around $193,000 in disaster relief funds for the 2018 east side set gillnet and 2020 Upper Cook Inlet salmon disasters and $23,000 for the 2018 and 2020 Copper River and Prince William Sound salmon disasters.
A resolution adopted on the assembly’s consent agenda accepts that one-time funding from the State Department of Fish and Game, totaling around $216,000, into the borough’s general fund.
Ryan Tunseth, a member of the assembly who also chairs the body’s finance committee, noted during the meeting that funding for communities is separate from a larger pool of funds available to fishers for the disasters. Fishers and crew can apply for that funding through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
The disaster funds, per spend plans developed by the State Department of Fish and Game, will be distributed in different amounts to harvesters, processors, research and communities. The borough’s share for the 2018 and 2020 disasters comes from a pool of $9.4 million for Upper Cook Inlet and $34 million for Copper River and Prince William Sound.
Disasters have also been recognized for the 2021 and 2022 Upper Cook Inlet east side setnet salmon fisheries and the 2023 Upper Cook Inlet east side setnet salmon fishery. A spend plan for $11.5 million allocated to the 2021 and 2022 disasters was approved in October and forwarded to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to begin distribution. Funds have not yet been allocated for 2023.
A second resolution also approved unanimously on the consent agenda asks the governor to designate a disaster for the 2024 Upper Cook Inlet east side setnet salmon fishery. A memo by Borough Mayor Peter Micciche says that the “important and uniquely Alaskan fishery” has experienced severe losses by restrictions and closures in recent years that impact individuals, families and businesses.
The borough’s request joins a similar call by the Soldotna City Council voiced in a similar resolution on Dec. 18. The Kenai City Council is set to consider their own resolution and request to the governor during their next meeting on Wednesday.
The full text of both resolutions can be found at kpb.legistar.com.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
