A coalition of groups says the Department of Fish and Game wrongfully allowed personal watercraft like jet skis, like the Sea-Doo Fish Pro pictured above, to be used in Kachemak Bay. The group says the commissioner violated the administrative procedures act because, they say, there was a predetermined outcome, the decision was arbitrary and ignored scientific data.
The plaintiffs are Cook Inletkeeper, Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, the Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition, and Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park, using lawyers Scott Kendall and former Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth, the same lawyers behind such things as the recall of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
The groups are challenging Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang’s repeal of a prohibition of personal watercraft in the bay and Fox River Flats Critical Habitat Areas.
The groups allege the commissioner made an unconstitutional appropriation favoring personal watercraft.
In their complaint, they say this is a “violation of Alaskans’ constitutional right to the use and enjoyment of the critical habitat areas by unconstitutionally prioritizing the rights of personal watercraft users over all other Alaskans.”
All critical habitat areas in the state allow personal watercraft except the Izembek Lagoon near King Cove.
Under the new rules, a few people have been using personal watercraft in Kachemak Bay this spring to troll for winter king salmon during the winter king salmon derby. Some fishing models are available by Sea-Doo and Yamaha.
Read the entire complaint at this link:
