Alaskan Ownership Stake Part II:
"Lifetime Hunting/Fishing/Trapping License"

Letter to Alaskans from Ethan on "Lifetime Hunting/Fishing/Trapping License"

Dear Fellow Alaskan:

In late August, I introduced The Alaskan Ownership Stake and presented Part I of the plan, called "Own a Piece of the Pipe." That part of the plan would allow individual Alaskans to choose to invest in the gas pipeline. Alaska benefits when Alaskans have direct and permanent ties to our resources.

Today I am unveiling Part II of The Alaskan Ownership Stake. Part II features a commonsense proposal to give Alaskans the ability to purchase Lifetime Hunting/Fishing/Trapping Licenses.

The Lifetime License recognizes that we as a people are closely connected to the land and waters of our state, and that our heritage and culture is bound to our fish and game. In that spirit, a permanent Lifetime License makes it clear that our rights to hunt, fish and trap are a defining value and that our stake in these resources will be respected and protected.

At least 27 other states offer some form of a lifetime hunting/fishing license, and even here in Alaska residents age 60 and over can apply for the equivalent of a lifetime license. These programs have been overwhelming successes. This plan would extend those opportunities to all Alaska residents, regardless of age.

Here's how the Lifetime License proposal would work:

Allow each Alaskan to choose to purchase a license to hunt, fish, and/or trap that will last an entire lifetime. This option should have special appeal to Alaskans who enjoy these activities every year. Purchasers of these licenses would get a special permanent wallet sized card. They would also receive a certificate suitable for framing that demonstrates their commitment to our shared fish and game resources.

A Lifetime License would mean that people who hunt, fish and trap could buy their license once rather than every year, and it would be a right they take with them wherever they go. Alaskans would submit a one-time application and pay a one-time fee to guarantee their stake in Alaska by securing their right to hunt, fish and trap in our state for their lifetime. Annual King Stamps, waterfowl stamps and big game tags would still be required for purchase every year.

Revenues generated from Lifetime Licenses would go into the Alaska Fish and Game Fund, an existing fund statutorily authorized to provide support for various fish and game programs, including habitat restoration.

Other details about this Lifetime License idea can be found at the Frequently Asked Questions portion of my website, www.EthanBerkowitz.com.

As Governor, and with your help, we can make sure Alaskans benefit from Alaska's hunting, fishing and trapping traditions. Please go to my website (www.EthanBerkowitz.com) to learn more about The Alaskan Ownership Stake, and consider supporting my campaign so that we can implement these commonsense plans.

Warmest Regards,