OPINION: Defending Alaska’s authority over its land and wildlife management is worth the investment

One of the most rewarding aspects of representing my district is being on the frontlines of issues and challenges affecting my friends and neighbors, as well as defending their rights to live, work and play as Alaskans.

There are a slew of new challenges facing our state, and nowhere is that more true than in the arena of federal oversight. Some of these issues are well covered by the media, while others are moving along relatively unnoticed.

One high-profile example is the Willow oil and gas project which continues to grab headlines across the country as we grapple with an increasingly aggressive team of federal agencies.

A lesser-known but alarming situation involves a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit this past April related to disputed hunting regulations in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Alaska was given authority upon statehood to manage hunts and hunting seasons, including those occurring on federal land.

In the decision by the Ninth Circuit Court, three unelected judges upended that authority in federal wildlife refuges and gave broad discretion to federal agencies to manage wildlife in those areas.

In one fell swoop, a major reason Alaskans supported statehood and shedding our territorial status was called into question.

This is the same court that said it was OK for armed park rangers to confiscate John Sturgeon’s hovercraft on state waters. The National Park Service is taking the ball and running with it again, in the form of a new rule to cancel state hunts on National Preserves in Alaska.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his team are taking proactive steps to address this issue, and the State of Alaska has appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

So, what happens if the Court doesn’t take up the case or the decision stands on appeal?

It is possible Alaska’s wildlife management authority would shrink in area by 60%, effectively leaving the state in a position of negotiating many of our hunting seasons. Outside of the courts, the only remaining remedy is a legislative fix through our congressional delegation.

Looking at the history of federal versus state wildlife management in Alaska, the track record is clear. We enshrined sustainable management in our constitution and ended the federally allowable practices of fish traps and the use of poison for predator control.

As the operating budget chair of the House Finance committee, it is my responsibility to understand the governor’s budget, view it through a lens of fiduciary responsibility, and ensure that public funds are utilized to the maximum benefit of our residents.

This year, the governor is proposing a significant budget expenditure for the state’s legal fees to defend our interests against unwarranted federal overreach into Alaska’s resource development, wildlife management, and other areas of jurisdiction.

In my position, proposals for large new expenditures are met with an equally large amount of incredulity; however, as we continue to experience a lessening of our ability to access, manage and develop our lands (all fundamental to our way of life), further state investment in legal battles against the federal government merits serious consideration.

With challenges to Alaska’s preeminence over our land, water and other natural resources continuing to rise, an ounce of prevention could be worth several pounds of cure.

As the federal government attempts to marginalize us to the edge of becoming a territory again, we must act decisively and state with a resounding voice that authority given to us at statehood will not be infringed or subjugated.

Rep. DeLena Johnson represents House District 25 in the Alaska Legislature.

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