MEMORANDUM

TO: Pete Sprague, Assembly President

Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

FROM: Millie Martin, Assembly Member

Chris Moss, Assembly Member

Ron Long, Assembly Member

DATE: February 27, 2003

SUBJECT: Resolution 2003-030, Supporting State funding for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve

This resolution supports additional state funding for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve (KBRR). This reserve is part of a national program established by Congress in 1972 to provide for long term research and education of estuarine, marine, and associated watershed systems. The KBRR was established in 1999 and is the largest and one of the newest research reserves in this national system. This reserve is funded by the federal and state government and other grants. The reserve is seeking $400,000 from the State of Alaska to be included in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game budget to increase the stability of the reserve and support basic operation costs that cannot be paid through existing grants. Limitations in other grants received have made it difficult for KBRR to adequately fund it's operations. Of the $400,000, $130,000 is expected to be used for the KBRR share of the operations cost for the Alaska Islands and Ocean's Visitor Center and other reserve facilities in Homer and the remaining $270,000 would be used for salaries of the core reserve staff including the manager, science coordinator, educational coordinator and administrative staff. Attached is more detailed information regarding the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve for your information. This resolution does not request or support borough funding of the reserve. If enacted it would only support additional State funding, which will also provide leverage for federal and other funding. Your support would be appreciated.