October 13th, 2016 — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski cast herself as a champion for Alaska’s fishing industry Wednesday, while independent Margaret Stock questioned the pace of progress by Alaska’s congressional delegation on several issues during a Senate debate in Kodiak.
The fisheries-focused debate, which was broadcast on public radio, also featured Democrat Ray Metcalfe and independent Breck Craig.
Libertarian candidate Joe Miller was absent, on a swing through southeast Alaska instead, according to his campaign. Miller spokesman Randy DeSoto has said Miller plans to visit Kodiak later.
Murkowski, a Republican, defended her record, including in drawing State Department attention to concerns raised by conservationists and fishermen about the impact of Canadian mining activity on waters that flow across the border into southeast Alaska. She said headway is being made but it’s been difficult because the State Department hasn’t seen the issue as warranting urgent attention.
Stock suggested that more could be done. Some of those concerned about the mining activity have urged the involvement of an international commission. Requests for the commission’s involvement must come from the national governments.
The delegation has raised that issue. The State Department, in a recent response to a delegation letter, said it planned to broach options for addressing the concerns with Canadian officials later this month. Murkowski called that “somewhat assuring.”