Panel talks to fish board nominees, asks about salmon plan

  • By Molly Dischner
  • Monday, April 13, 2015 10:41pm
  • News

JUNEAU — A Senate committee held a hearing Monday on the governor’s nominees for the state Board of Fisheries, but the panel held off on taking action.

State Affairs committee chair Sen. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, said the panel’s members would likely sign paperwork to advance them on Tuesday, however.

Soldotna resident Robert Ruffner, who is currently the executive director of the nonprofit Kenai Watershed Forum, was appointed in March to a seat formerly held by Karl Johnstone. Committee members questioned him for about an hour before taking public testimony, asking him about his views on the management of Cook Inlet salmon.

Ruffner said he generally agreed with the current management efforts. He also said he supported several other actions by the board in recent years, including shutting down setnetters and changing other commercial regulations to try to ensure more salmon reach the Matanuska-Susitna valley streams.

But some lawmakers and members of the public said they don’t think current management practices are working, and they were concerned that he agreed with them.

Several fishing groups from around the state, along with guides and sport-, commercial, personal-use and subsistence fishing organizations, have supported Ruffner’s appointment in previous testimony and letters.

But two prominent organizations submitted letters opposing his confirmation on Saturday. Among other concerns, the Kenai River Sportfishing Association and Southeast Alaska Guides Organization said they wanted to see a nominee who more strongly represented sport-fishing interests.

Ruffner told the committee he participates in personal-use and sport fisheries, and he sees them as important to Kenai Peninsula communities.

The committee also considered the governor’s other appointee, Orville Huntington.

Huntington, a Huslia resident, is generally considered a representative of subsistence-fishing interests and has served on the board since 2012. His hearing, including public testimony supporting his continued service, took less than 10 minutes.

The joint session of the House and Senate scheduled for Friday to vote on all of the governor’s appointments was canceled Monday.

More in News

Mount Spurr, raised to Advisory on the Volcano Alert Level, can be seen in yellow northwest of the Kenai Peninsula. (Map courtesy Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Department of the Interior)
Spurr activity ‘declined slightly’

If an eruption were to occur, there would be noticeable indicators that may provide days to weeks of additional warning.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche delivers a borough update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Micciche pushes mill rate decrease, presses state to boost education funding

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche delivered an update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce on Wednesday.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
SPITwSPOTS employees speak to an attendee of the Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair in Kenai on Wednesday.
Job fair gathers together employers, job seekers

“That face-to-face has kind of been missing for a lot of people.”

A poster in the Native and Rural Student Center at the University of Alaska Southeast reads “Alaska is diverse, and so are our educators.” (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska holds virtual town hall to address fear and stress in changing federal landscape

Students, faculty and staff ask about protecting international students, Alaska Native programs.

Community members who support education funding stand up in demonstration at one point during the town hall meeting on Saturday, April 12 in the Pioneer Hall at Kachemak Bay Campus. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Constituents quiz Vance during crowded virtual town hall

Education and budgeting dominated the conversation during the Saturday meeting.

Paul Banks Elementary School Principal Eric Pederson interacts with students in this undated photo at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Eric Pederson)
KPBSD chooses Pederson as next Homer High principal

School district held public interviews Wednesday, April 9.

Awards earned by Peninsula Clarion and Homer News writers Delcenia Cosman, Jake Dye, Jeff Helminiak and Nick Varney are displayed on Sunday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer News, Peninsula Clarion take home 10 Alaska Press Club awards

The 2025 Alaska Press Club awards honored statewide news contributions from 2024.

From left: Alaska House Reps. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, take the oath of office at the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Ruffridge, Vance, Elam oppose stripped down education funding bill

The Senate passed a modified HB 69 on Friday that removed everything from House bill but a $1,000 BSA increase.

Welcome messages in multiple languages are painted on windows at the University of Alaska Anchorage at the start of the semester in January. (University of Alaska Anchorage photo)
Juneau refugee family gets ‘leave immediately’ notice; 4 people affiliated with UAA have visas revoked

Actions part of nationwide sweep as Trump ignores legal orders against detentions, deportations.

Most Read