MEMORANDUM

TO: Pete Sprague, Assembly President

Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

FROM: Betty Glick, Assembly Member

DATE: April 24, 2003

SUBJECT: Resolution 2003-055, seeking alternative state funding for the shellfish hatchery

The City of Seward is the current location for a shellfish hatchery, which provides significant mariculture research and develops commercially viable quantities of high-value shellfish seed for the mariculture industry. To date, it has been funded largely through the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation ("ASTF"). The State House recently approved the State of Alaska budget for fiscal year 2004, which provided no further funding for the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation. While the state budget has not yet been finalized, it is currently considered unlikely that the ASTF will receive additional funding.

The City of Seward recently passed Resolution 2003-38 seeking alternative state funding for the shellfish hatchery to replace funding formerly provided through the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation. This resolution similarly requests that the State of Alaska find alternate funding for continued operations and programs for the shellfish hatchery. Your support would be appreciated.