FY2017-34 In Support Of Changes To Timing And Allocation Of The U.S Departmant Of Defense "Northern Edge 17" Training Exercise4
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Introduced by: Assembly Member Van Daele
Drafted by: Assembly Member Van Daele
Introduced on: 04/06/2017
Adopted on: 04/06/2017
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. FY2017-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH IN SUPPORT
OF CHANGES TO TIMING AND LOCATION OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
"NORTHERN EDGE `17" TRAINING EXERCISE, AND SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS, IN
THE GULF OF ALASKA
WHEREAS, all of the communities in the Kodiak Island Borough are economically and
culturally dependent upon strong fisheries; and
WHEREAS, the economies of the City of Kodiak as well as the road system and remote
communities of the Kodiak Island Borough are already struggling due to downturns in the
national and international pollock markets and weak pink salmon returns; and,
WHEREAS, Kodiak has an important history of being a Navy town, and the current military
presence of the US Naval Special Warfare Command and US Coast Guard are essential
elements of our economy, community, and safety of our residents; and,
WHEREAS, the efforts of the Department of Defense to communicate and consult with local
organizations regarding past and planned Northern Edge exercises are greatly appreciated;
and,
WHEREAS, it is essential for the military to be able to conduct meaningful exercises for the
sake of national security, which encompasses the security of Kodiak, the security of Alaska, and
the security of the United States as a whole; and,
WHEREAS, food security and economic security are also essential elements of national
security, and it is critical for the communities of Kodiak to have harvestable fisheries resources
to sustain our families, as well as to provide seafood for markets across the United States and
the entire world; and,
WHEREAS, previous military exercises have occurred when populations of migratory fish
species are locally low or absent, and/or been conducted in areas of lower habitat importance
for feeding and rearing of economically and culturally essential fisheries resources; and,
WHEREAS, a military presence in the Gulf of Alaska can be conducted to minimize negative
impacts on the existing maritime framework of subsistence and commercial economies and
cultures reliant on fisheries in Kodiak; and,
WHEREAS, flexibility in changing the spatial and temporal locations of maritime exercises has
demonstrated that strong fisheries and naval activities are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. FY2017-34
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH THAT:
Section 1: The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly hereby requests the US Navy to continue
its communication and consultation with the communities of Kodiak and their tribal and
municipal governments to assist us in protecting our fisheries; to cooperate with our researchers
to enhance knowledge of these fisheries resources; and to determine equitable methods to
conduct their naval exercises without negatively impacting our Archipelago's economies, such
as through the moratorium on expending live ordnance on the Portlock Bank.
Section 2: The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly hereby requests the US Navy to conduct
their activities in the Temporary Marine Activities Area after September when overall marine
mammal, fish, and migratory bird abundances are lower; and to avoid the northwestern area of
the TMAA that includes the State Marine Protected Area, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Fisheries Essential Salmon Habitat Protected Area, and the Gulf of Alaska
Seamount Protected areas.
Section 3: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS SIXTH DAY OF APRIL, 2017.
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ATTEST:
Daniel A. Rohrer, Mayor Nova M. Javier, MMC, Jerk
UNANIMOUS VOTE:
Ayes: LeDoux, Skinner, Smiley, Symmons, Townsend, and Van Daele
Absent: Crow
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
Resolution No. FY2017-34
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