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P E N I N S U L A
Vol. 49, Issue 176
In the news Murkowski seeks comment extension on Pebble review JUNEAU — Alaska’s senior U.S. senator has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to extend from 90 to 120 days the comment period on a draft environmental review of a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. In a letter to the corps’ Alaska commander, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski cites the draft’s “length and complexity” and the need to ensure Alaskans can provide “meaningful feedback” on it. She also asks the corps to “redouble” its efforts to meaningfully consult with Alaska Natives who live in the region. She says she expects the corps to seriously consider their input in finalizing the review. A corps spokesman says the corps is considering all requests surrounding the length of the comment period, currently set to run through May 30.
Legislature OKs conflict of interest revisions JUNEAU — The Alaska Legislature has voted to change conflict of interest rules passed last year that members complained limited them from interacting with constituents and being involved with legislation. The House on Wednesday passed a compromise recently passed by the Senate. The rewrite bars lawmakers from taking legislative action likely to substantially benefit or harm the financial interest of the legislator, the legislator’s spouse and persons for whom the lawmaker and spouse work or are negotiating to work. Lawmakers with any such conflicts are to declare that before voting in a committee and ask to be excused from voting on the floor. Critics of the rewrite said it was still restricting, too lax or confusing. Supporters say it is aimed at barring lawmakers from taking actions that could personally enrich them. — Associated Press
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Young gives update on DC By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
Alaska’s longest-serving congressman, U.S. Rep. Don Young, visited the Kenai Peninsula on Tuesday to give members of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce an update on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. Young spoke about changes in Congress as well as issues he has been fighting for that directly affect Alaskans. Young also took questions from the audience about national issues including immigration, impeachment and the Mueller Report. Young began his speech by commenting on the freshman members of Congress and the changing See DC, page A12
Dunleavy not planning marijuana board repeal this session By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy does not plan to introduce legislation this session that would propose eliminating the board that regulates Alaska’s legal marijuana industry, a spokesman said Wednesday. Spokesman Matt Shuckerow said the decision was based on the time left in session and Dunleavy’s focus on other legislative priRep. Don Young, R-Alaska, gives a presentation to the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers orities, such as the budget of Commerce during a luncheon at the Kenai Visitor Center on Tuesday. (Photo by and crime bills. Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion) He said he did not have an update on whether Dunleavy planned to pursue the idea in the future. Earlier this year, Commerce Commissioner Julie Anderson in a message to department employees outlined Dunleavy’s plans for the department. A section on legislation expected from Dunleavy included repeal of the Alcoholic Beverage Control and Marijuana Control boards, with the intent to transfer the authority and responsibility of the boards to the commissioner. The idea garnered pushback from members of the marijuana industry who support how the board approaches issues it addresses. Wednesday marked the 100th day of the legislative Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, listens during a hearing for House Bill 75 on increasing session. The constitution school internet speed at a House Education Committee meeting on Monday, April 1. permits regular sessions of (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire) 121 days, with an option to passed the House unani- tatives were present for the islature website. The bill extend for an additional 10. Shuckerow also said mously, this was the first vote, according to journal had hefty support on both Dunleavy does not plan See VET, page A3 vote where all 40 represen- entries on the Alaska Leg-
Vet job access bill passes unanimously By Alex McCarthy Juneau Empire
For the first time this session, all 40 members of the Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday, courtesy of a Juneau representative. House Bill 71, proposed by Rep. Andi Story, DJuneau, passed by a clean 40-0 vote on the floor Wednesday. The bill allows for veterans to substitute documented military experience for minimum qualifications for state classified positions. “Veterans have served our country and should be honored for their service and sacrifice,” Story said on the floor. “The transition to civilian life often proves to be difficult.” While other bills have
See POT, page A2
Court finds Homer resident has standing in zoning case By Michael Armstrong Homer News
A Homer citizen activist has prevailed in an Alaska Supreme Court case asserting he has standing to appeal a 2014 Homer Advisory Planning Commission decision. In a 4-1 ruling released on April 19, the Alaska Supreme Court wrote that the Homer City Council, acting as the Board of Adjustment, should have granted Frank Griswold standing when he appealed a conditional use permit — that is, he had sufficient grounds to appeal as a property owner in the zoning district. Homer City Manager Katie Koester on Friday issued a statement in response to the ruling.
ings,” Koester wrote in an email. “The broad interpretation of standing by the Supreme Court provides needed clarity for the City and the Planning Commission in the future.” The decision reverses a Superior Court decision that upheld the board’s denial of standing to Griswold and sends his appeal back to the Board of Adjustment for reconsideration. It also vacates an award of $4,733.10 the Superior Court ordered Griswold to pay the city in attorney fees. Homer city code “requires The covered porch at the end of the Windjammer Suites building at 320 W. Pioneer Ave. is shown in a photo- only that a property owner prograph taken Tuesday, in Homer. (Photo by Michael Arm- duce some evidence supporting the owner’s claim that the city’s strong/Homer News) action could potentially ad“While this is a big change the City will be incorporating versely affect the owner’s use in how standing has been inter- the court’s interpretation in all or enjoyment of the owner’s preted by the court in the past, of Homer’s pending proceed- property,” Justice Susan Car-
Sport, Rec and Trade show back for 34th year By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
This year’s Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec and Trade Show is the biggest it’s been in over a decade, Kelly Martin, president of the trade show said. Martin is also the CEO of the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors, which has been hosting the show for the last 34 years.
Martin said the show has something to offer the entire family. For the first time, the trade show will have an Alaskan Made Exhibit, which will showcase artwork made by Alaskans from across the state. There are over 150 booths, Martin said, both inside and outside of the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
“This isn’t the kind of trade show where you just walk around from booth to booth,” Martin said. “Each booth has something interactive.” The trade show has come along way in the last few years, Martin said. She said in 2016, the show was only half full and ready to be closed for good.
See REC, page A12
ney wrote in the decision (emphases added). “Griswold met these requirements.” The case stemmed from a March 2014 application by Terry and Jonnie Yager for a conditional use permit to build a covered porch in the Central Business District that would extend 10 feet into part of a 20-foot setback along Pioneer Avenue at what is now the Kachemak Group Real Estate office in the Windjammer Suites building. At an April 2014 public hearing, Griswold spoke against the conditional use permit application, saying setback exceptions required a variance rather than a conditional use permit, and that city code allowing for setback exceptions conflicted with state See CASE, page A2
International Fly Fishing Film Tour comes to Kenai By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The local Trout Unlimited Chapter is bringing the International Fly Fishing Film Festival to the peninsula. The event is a fundraiser benefiting the Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited Chapter and their projects. Dave Atcheson, a former board member and volunteer with Trout Unlimited, said the event is a great way to gear up for the up-
coming fishing season. The festival will feature short films about locations all over the world, including Alaska. “People like the short films and it gets them ready and excited for the fishing season,” Atcheson said. Along with the film screening, the event will also hold a silent auction, packed with fishing trips, fishing gear, local artwork See FILM, page A2