"F&G Weakening ...... " AK Dispatch, Sinnott

[68 Bronco]

An important article, IMO.
Jim Swan Wetlands in the Knik Watershed also has been suffering from significant outfalls of this described malady (and others) for quite some time, with no end in sight. Unfortunately, the list of forces effecting life sustaining habitats is growing ....

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/articl...es-sanctuaries

[willphish4food]

An important article, IMO.
Jim Swan Wetlands in the Knik Watershed also has been suffering from significant outfalls of this described malady (and others) for quite some time, with no end in sight. Unfortunately, the list of forces effecting life sustaining habitats is growing ....

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/articl...es-sanctuaries

There's going to be more and more pushback against preserves and areas where use is limited as the population continues to expand, and more areas of the state are closed to hunting or other public uses. The article states only 1% of Alaska is state preserve; but fails to mention what percentage of the state is federally controlled, privately owned, or off limits to certain users. I just wonder if current policies are a backlash against former policies that were overly restrictive, or a tragic loosening of the reigns on industry and recreation.

I'm always a bit skeptical of Mr. Sinnot's posts, as I recall some of the effects of his leadership in Anchorage. Over 5,000 Canada geese in Anchorage, in habitat suitable for 1500.. until lives were lost nothing was done to address the issue. Problem bears moved from Anchorage to the Kenai; inverse relationship between rise in DLP shootings on the Kenai and relocation of Anchorage bears. This was Sinnot's legacy: Opposition to moose hunts in Anchorage bowl. Opposition to lethal controls on the goose population. Opposition to bear hunting. Blame urban bear maulings on people encroaching on bear habitat, instead of increased bear populations and loss of hereditary fear of humans. He claimed to be shocked when a hair study showed nearly 30 grizzlies on one Anchorage creek instead of the handful he estimated were there.

I'd like to see what the other side of the story is before passing judgement on this administration or the habitat division's policies.

[BrownBear]

Dunno what in the heck all that has to do with the loss of public comment and the point of the piece about doors opening for development. All I see is another notch in the stock for a guvnor hoping for a big-dollar industry job after his time in Juneau is up. He sure doesn't have a future in politics.

[68 Bronco]

Part two:

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/articl...fe-alaska-once

[bushrat]

If it wasn't for Sinnott, most of us wouldn't even know about any of this. I applaud him doing the due diligence and getting the info out to the public.

This is wrong on so many levels. And it's just another way to continue taking habitat decisions out of the realm of the biologists who work in the already-severely-decreased Habitat division. I hope folks will write in with comments when the time comes and oppose this.

[hogfamily]

I remember when Mr. Sinnott was on his garbage crusade, and for the most part rightfully so. Anyways he showed up in our neighborhood one early summer day, on a Tuesday, with his citation book in hand. I watched while he placed several tickets on doornobs for leaving black trash bags out before garbage day, which was Wednesday in our neighborhood. After he wrote my ticket out and was about to place it on my doornob, I opened my door, greeted him warmly, and said; "You know all those plastic garbage bags on this street contain grass clippings, right?" He quickly removed all the citations.

[Mike Echo]

Sinnot is upset because to "No you can't" mentality is changing to "Lets look at it".
"No you can't" is way easier than actually thinking about it.
Mike

[Akbrownsfan]

If you read closely Mike that simply isn't true. No permits denied to almost 0%. ever. ever, ever. It was already "yes you can".

[Akbrownsfan]

Now it will be "yes you can, and we won't tell anyone about it either."

[Mike Echo]

Or is the question not how many have been denied, but how many people have gone to DNR with plans, not formally submitted and gotten beat up enough to quit before they formally apply?
If they meet all the criteria, they should get a permit.
Mike

[tccak71]

Enviro's are bullies and this helps the pro-development guys. After Pebble and the raping it took by the fabricated, bs EPA "report," this is long overdue.

I see Parnell is using Frank Murkowski's moniker that "Alaska is open for business," and I like it. Sick of the anti-development attitude that's pervasive here. Open this state up! Build roads! Built rail lines! MINE, MINE, MINE!!!

[agp]

Enviro's are bullies and this helps the pro-development guys. After Pebble and the raping it took by the fabricated, bs EPA "report," this is long overdue.

I see Parnell is using Frank Murkowski's moniker that "Alaska is open for business," and I like it. Sick of the anti-development attitude that's pervasive here. Open this state up! Build roads! Built rail lines! MINE, MINE, MINE!!!

If I stand up for the environment, and try to ensure that it does not become a wasteland or look like every other state in the union, I am a bully?
That comment about Pebble is just funny!

[Mike Echo]

The state of Alaska is not going to become a wasteland, with or without you. If you define "stand up" as trying to stop any development before it reaches the public comment stage - Yes, sorry to inform you that you are indeed a "bully"
Mike

[68 Bronco]

When the administrative train leaves the track and irresponsibly serves special interests time again, you bet some folks are gonna stand up.

[iofthetaiga]

The state of Alaska is not going to become a wasteland, with or without you.

"....We'll make it just like L.A., but we'll take exception if you try to stop us, or call it a "wasteland"".