Environment and Wildlife Management

I'm pro-environment. Like most Alaskans - I have spent a good amount of my time here in the wilderness. I will protect Alaska's environment. It's why we live here. Alaskans came here and stay here for the natural beauty, the clean air and water. We don't want to screw it up.

Protecting the environment doesn't mean we can't have responsible development. I believe Alaskans can have it all - a vibrant economy while retaining Alaska's incredible natural beauty and wild vitality. I believe it will take a Democratic Governor to work between conservation groups and industry to develop our long-term, sustainable, economy, and to do it right.

My approach to balancing development and environmental concerns will be to make these decisions carefully, after listening to all sides, getting the facts and the best science, and giving weight to the long-term best interest of Alaska and Alaskans.

Pebble Mine - I oppose the plans for a 900 ft. tailings dam above the richest fishery in the world. We must protect the Bristol Bay fishery, and the risk of Pebble development as envisioned appears too great. The more I learn about Pebble, the more concerned I become about its potential impacts.

However, I believe the developers of Pebble should have the right to propose a mining plan for possible permitting. As a past Director at the Department of Environmental Conservation I know many of the state employees responsible for reviewing permits and believe in their ability to properly protect Alaska. As Governor I will support them in doing what's right.

Mining tax policy - I think it is time for mining to begin paying its way like the oil and gas industry in Alaska does.

Wildlife management - I oppose aerial killing of wolves and other predators, but also support active management of our wildlife populations for abundance. There have to be better ways to reasonably reduce predation than shooting wolves from planes and helicopters and gassing bear cubs in their dens. We need to look for other methods that accomplish the job without putting Alaska in such a bad light.

We need a range of solutions to get the job done. I am a hunter. I enjoy hunting and harvesting wild food. Many Alaskans get a big portion of their food from the land, and we should manage for abundance to support those needs.

Subsistence - I support a rural preference for subsistence.