Two of Gov. Bill Walker’s departments are proposing cuts to programs aimed at fighting federal government plans and initiatives just a few weeks after Walker and state legislators loudly criticized federal initiatives to limit oil and gas development in Alaska and offshore.
Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources aims to save $1.5 million by cutting a program dedicated in part to preserving access to federal lands, the Public Access Assertion and Defense Unit. And it plans to save another $226,000 by scaling back its office named for the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, whose employees coordinated the state’s comments on the federal government’s recently released plan to designate much of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as off-limits to oil exploration and drilling.
The Department of Law, meanwhile, is proposing to save another $450,000 by cutting a pair of attorneys who work on conflicts between the state and federal government over the Endangered Species Act and other areas. And it hopes to save another $300,000 by ending a contract with an outside law firm that works on endangered species issues.
Walker, through a spokesperson, said he’s still committed to Alaska’s defense of what he termed “state sovereignty,” and officials at both departments maintained that they’d continue doing the same work.
The budget proposals, however, have drawn skepticism from at least one Republican leader. Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, who chairs the Senate’s resources committee and is an active supporter of mining and petroleum development, said she was “very concerned” about Walker’s proposal and would “probably” fight to restore some of the money.
Giessel said she found the natural resources department’s proposal “confusing” after Walker publicly criticized the administration of President Barack Obama last month for its decisions to restrict oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and in the waters off the Alaska coast. “He’s saying one thing, and the actions are something else,” Giessel said.
Doug Vincent-Lang, a top Parnell administration official in the Department of Fish and Game who worked on Endangered Species Act and other wildlife issues, questioned what he called “serious cuts” being proposed by Walker’s administration. “I know people don’t like to litigate. I understand that. But sometimes you need a seat at the table because the NGOs are litigating,” he said in a phone interview, referring to non-governmental organizations like environmental groups.
“I worry that we are giving up our voice that helps us control our own future as Alaskans, and that truly troubles me,” he said.
See Full Story at Alaska Dispatch News
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