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CLARION
Sun, clouds 32/16 More weather on Page A-2
P E N I N S U L A
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 Soldotna-Kenai, Alaska
Vol. 44, Issue 133
50 cents newsstands daily/$1.00 Sunday
State pushes back on EPA
Question Is this breakup? n Yes, it sure feels like spring. n No, winter still has a ways to go. To place your vote and comment, visit our Web site at www. peninsulaclarion. com.
By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
Iditarod 2014
tion. On behalf of south beach landowners she requested the City of Kenai restrict all motorized vehicles access to the south beach between Dunes Road and the mouth of the Kenai River. Having a direct public access and parking area off of the Inlet Salmon Road would mitigate the damage being inflicted, she said. Ken Tarbox of Kenai addressed an issue raised by the Kenai Watershed Forum of how people migrate upstream to fish, which damages the marsh vegetation. He recommended the city close fishing in these areas for the entire month of July. “As the dipnet population grows, you see the trend of people moving to fish in other areas,” he said. “It is damaging along the banks. You need to take care of it.”
JUNEAU — Alaska Attorney General Michael Geraghty is pushing back against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after it took a step that could ultimately lead it to prohibit or restrict development of a massive gold-and-copper prospect in the Bristol Bay region. The EPA announced Friday that it was exercising a rarely used authority under the Clean Water Act to protect the region’s world-premiere sockeye salmon fishery from large-scale mining. In a letter to agency officials that day, Geraghty called the EPA’s actions premature and said they prevent the state — the majority landowner in the watershed — from “exercising its rights and responsibilities in response to an actual mine proposal.” The state, those behind the proposed Pebble Mine and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had 15 days from Friday’s announcement to submit information showing no “unacceptable adverse effects” to aquatic resources would result from mining-related discharges or that actions could be taken to prevent such impacts, according to a letter sent to them by Dennis McLerran, a regional administrator with the agency. While regulations call for responses within 15 days, he said a “reasonable extension” could be granted. If McLerran is not satisfied with their response, the agency would publish proposed restrictions or prohibitions on mining at the Pebble deposit and gather public comment. There would be a second round of consultation before a final decision was made. Geraghty said “good cause” existed to stop the clock on that
See DIPNET, page A-10
See STATE, page A-10
Peninsula mushers’ progress as of 10 p.m. Wednesday:
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5. Paul Gebhardt, Kasilof, in Cripple 11. Kristy Berington, Kasilof, in Ophir 13. Anna Berington, Kasilof, in Ophir 20. Mitch Seavey, Sterling, in Takotna 41. Travis Beals, Seward, in McGrath 43. Danny Seavey, M Seward, in McGrath K 46. Monica Zappa, Kasilof, out of Nikolai Find more Iditarod coverage on Page A-10.
In the news NRA weighs in on campus guns JUNEAU (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday heard testimony from the National Rifle Association on a bill that would change current practice and allow people to carry concealed firearms on University of Alaska system campuses. NRA spokesman Brian Judy addressed arguments that have been made by University of Alaska President Pat Gamble over not allowing firearms on campuses. Judy said both the U.S. and Alaska constitutions allow an individual the right to bear arms for self-protection. He wondered by what right the university, a state entity, can’t disavow that. Gamble attended but didn’t speak. He is scheduled to give testimony next week, when the bill will be heard again.
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Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion
Building for the arts
Steve Greer holds a piece of slat wall in place Wednesday as he helps with renovations at the Kenai Fine Arts Center in Kenai.
Kenai continues dipnet debate City proposes overnight beach closure for cleaning, safety By DAN BALMER Peninsula Clarion
The City of Kenai held their second work session on the dipnet fishery Tuesday night and 11 citizens shared their input as the city continues to troubleshoot ways to better manage the growing event. Among the hot topics discussed was limiting motorized access to south beach, night closure for beach cleanup, clarification of parking and camping fees, riverbank erosion from boat wakes and the disruption of wetland vegetation from fishermen migration. Two Kenai City Council members were present Tuesday, Robert Molloy and Brian Gabriel. Mayor Pat Porter, City Manager Rick Koch and city attorney Scott Bloom were present, along with several other department directors. Harbor
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion
Members of the public listen to Kenai City Manager Rick Koch give his recommendations to the city council at a dipnet work session Tuesday evening at Kenai City Hall.
Commissioners Tom ThompKenai resident Astrid Friend son, Bob Peters and Phillip started off the public comments Morin also participated in the representing the South Beach work session. Waterfront Landowners Coali-
Concerns raised with Former chief justice opposes charter school bill state Judicial Council change By MIKE COPPOCK Associated Press
JUNEAU — Members of the state House Education Committee raised concerns on Wednesday that Alaska could end up with more school districts if charter schools are authorized by entities other than local school boards. The discussion came as the panel considered a bill sponsored by Rep. Lynn Gattis, RWasilla, that would grant chartering authority to government agencies, education-related nonprofits, and accredited postsecondary institutions. Currently, the authority rests with local school districts. Gattis told the committee, which she chairs, that her intent was to debate aspects of the bill and identify elements that could be incorporated into Gov. Sean Parnell’s omnibus education bill, also before the committee. Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, said Gattis’ bill could create new school districts.
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“We are at a fundamental stage of creating new school districts and new funding,” Seaton said. If charter schools are authorized by entities other than local school boards, funding would have to be provided directly by the state, he said, meaning new school districts would be created. Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, RAnchorage, asked if a school district could authorize a charter school within a different school district under both bills. She said the Matanuska-Susitna School District currently operates a charter school at Eagle River within the Anchorage School District. “There is no prohibition against this,” state education commissioner Mike Hanley See SCHOOL, page A-10
By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
JUNEAU — A former chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court said Wednesday he doesn’t see a need to change the state’s constitution to alter the makeup of the Alaska Judicial Council. Walter Carpeneti told the House Judiciary Committee the current system has worked well. He said there is a heavy burden on those who want to change the constitution to show that there is a problem, and he doesn’t see one here. The council’s responsibilities include screening applicants for and nominating to the governor candidates for judicial vacancies. The council also evaluates the performance of judges and recommends to voters whether judges should be retained for another term. The council is made up of C
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AP Photo/Becky Bohrer
Former Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti testifies against a proposed constitutional amendment to change the makeup of the Alaska Judicial Council during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday in Juneau.
three attorney members cho- bers appointed by the governor sen by the Board of Governors and subject to legislative conof the Alaska Bar Association firmation. The chief justice of and three non-attorney memSee COUNCIL, page A-10