"An Act providing for a sport fishing facility surcharge on sport fishing licenses; providing for the construction and renovation of state sport fishing facilities and for other projects beneficial to the sport fish resources of the state as a public enterprise; and authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to finance those projects. "

Alaska's only sport fish hatcheries are located at Ft. Richardson and Elmendorf A.F.B. Both are more than 30 years old and nearing the end of their useful life. Alaska has an ever-growing demand for fish stocks. More people want to fish. Resident populations are growing. Tourist demand for recreational opportunity is increasing. At the same time, sport fish production is decreasing.

Hatcheries require warm water to enhance growth in baby fish. Waste heat from the Ft. Richardson and Elmendorf power plants has provided that energy for many years, but both power plants will be shutting down hot water production in October. Doing nothing is not an acceptable option for it only leads to substantially reduced fish stocks in our lakes and streams, but we can fix this problem and plan for years to come.

House Bill 252 provides for renovation and expansion of the Ft. Richardson and Elmendorf facilities to meet South Central needs. It also provides for a new hatchery in Fairbanks to meet the demands of Interior Alaska.

Federal funds have been procured to meet increased demand due to military expansion. Other capital costs will be met by a revenue bond package of no more than $69 million. A modest "fishery enhancement fee" will be added to the price of a fishing license until the bonds are paid off. The combined price of a fishing license and the enhancement fee will still be a bargain, especially when it ensures that a person buying a license can actually expect to catch fish!

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