(2-minute read) DEMANDS TO KNOW HIS BELIEFS ON HUMAN CAUSES
In the confirmation interview of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, Sen. Scott Kawasaki led off the questions by asking the designee to recite the politically correct creed on climate change that Kawasaki believes in:
“Do you concur that human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, deforestation, and industry is the primary cause of climate change?” Kawasaki asked the commissioner.
Vincent-Lang said he agrees climate change is affecting fish and wildlife management, that it is ongoing, and that it’s his job to address it as he does address any other factor.
But Kawasaki didn’t like that answer. He wanted to know what the Fish and Game commissioner believes.
“The question is do you actually concur that…there is a lot of science that backs this up as well. I know there’s mitigation…but I kind of wanted a straight answer on that…”
He was interrupted by Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee Sen. Chris Birch, who reminded him not to impugn the character of the commissioner by implying he wasn’t giving him a straight answer.
Kawasaki was not finished: “It’s a question because this is an agency that deals with science. And you mentioned science in your initial testimony, so I just wanted to get this on the record.”
Vincent-Lang answered: The Department of Fish and Game is the only department that has a climate change assessment on its website. Is climate change affecting our state’s resources? Yes, it is, he said.
“I’m not going to get involved in the causes of climate change, but I am going to get involved with what kind of factor it is in terms of sustaining our fish and wildlife resources.”
Kawasaki went on to ask about a fisheries important to him personally, the Chitina dip net fisheries. He wanted to know how Vincent-Lang would prioritize between subsistence, personal use, sports, and commercial interests.
Vincent-Lang politely reminded him that the decision for allocation belongs with the Board of Fish.
