Postmark: Nov 22,94 1:46 PM Delivered: Nov 25,94 12:09 PM
Status: Previously read
Subject: Subsistence News-11/25/94
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Message:
*In Katie John v. U.S., Federal District Court Judge H. Russell Holland, stayed his order mandating federal management of subsistence fisheries in navigable waters. Holland’s decision was appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A decision on the Appeal is expected sometime next year.
*Recently a $20 million dollar settlement was reached with Alaska Natives and owners of the Exxon Valdez over replacement costs of subsistence foods.
*The settlement covers replacement costs of subsistence harvests of seals, fish, kelp, and other food that couldn’t be harvested as a result of the 1989 oil spill.
*Native claims for damages to their subsistence way of life, culture, and economy were dismissed by the District Court. Natives are planning to appeal the ruling.
*Natives are still entitled to punitative damages as a result of the oil spill.
Postmark: Nov 17,94 9:08 AM Delivered: Nov 18,94 9:58 AM
Status: Previously read
Subject: Subsistence News-11/18/94
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Message:
*In the Katie John v. U.S. lawsuit, the federal District Court in Anchorage found that “public lands” includes all navigable waterways in Alaska. The court also directed the Secretary to regulate subsistence fishing in navigable waters.
*Katie John is a 79 year old Athabaskan speaker of Ahtna descent. She wants to be able to subsistence fish at her traditional summer fish camp along the Copper River of southcentral Alaska.
*Several western states, including California and Arizona, have joined the state of Alaksa in the appeal of the Katie John decision. The case challenges the precedent setting federal takeover of navigable waters in Alaska.
*Leading gubernatorial candidates for the state of Alaska, Jim Campbell (R), and Tony Knowles (D), both appear to favor an amendment to the state constitution granting a rural preference for subsistence. However, Knowles would drop all pending litigation related to the subsistence/navigability issues; Campbell would continue the litigation.
*Barrow’s North Slope Borough reimbursed subsistence users for fuel used to reach Nov. 8th polling sites. Fuel price in Barrow: $2.69 per gallon.
