Tourism

Recent measures to curb elephant poaching in Africa are having unintended consequences in Alaska.

This July, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s near-total ban on the commercial ivory trade went into effect. At about the same time, state-level bans passed in California, Hawaii, New Jersey and New York, after targeted lobbying efforts from conservation groups.

These regulatory changes are starting to bite into Alaska’s ivory market, made up primarily of walrus, mammoth and fossilized ivory, even though none of those are illegal.

For hunters, artists, and regional leaders, it’s expected to get worse.

Inside the craft fair during the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks in October, the glitter and gleam of Dennis Pungowiyi’s ivory stood out.

His table was crowded with everything from small, intricate sculptures of birds to an ornate full mount and curved cribbage boards etched into tusks.

Pungowiyi is best known for his carvings of walruses, where the angular rendering of the hides hints at an abstract interpretation.

“These bigger ones are from a 10-pound tusk, and I only get two or three of those tusks a year,” Pungowiyi said, who wore a necklace of a fist-sized tooth of a killer whale with a polar bear’s head carved into the top.

Walruses are not an endangered species, and Alaska Natives are allowed to carve and sell their ivory under provisions in the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Pungowiyi’s family is from Savoonga, which, along with Gambell on St. Lawrence Island, accounts for the vast majority of walruses harvested each year in Alaska.

Since 2012, hunters from St. Lawrence Island have harvested anywhere from 433 to 1,206 walruses in a year, according to tagging statistics provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The primary reason for the hunt is food, but the sale of tusks and carvings helps bring in cash.

“We’ve taken a pretty big hit on this elephant ivory ban,” Pungowiyi said, adding that potential buyers have begun to conflate elephant and walrus ivory.

Pungowiyi lives in Wasilla most of the year, in part to have better access to the ivory market on the road system. But his livelihood still depends on regular trips to Savoonga each spring to hunt and buy raw tusks.

Since the summer, federal and state regulations cracking down on the domestic market for elephant ivory have caused people to think all ivory is illegal.

“I’m down probably a good 40 percent,” Pungowiyi said. “This show here is what I’m banking on getting me through the winter.”

At some of the other tables, sellers said they’ve heard of the bans, but haven’t seen an impact yet. Pungowiyi thinks that’ll change this year when ivory buyers go out to villages.

Alarm bells are already sounding.

During AFN, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan convened an official field hearing to assess what can be done.

“While perhaps well intentioned, these state bans have had the unintended consequences of limiting the ability to trade in authentic articles of Native handicrafts, and in other cases they have created confusion,” Sullivan said.

Regional leaders testified at the hearing that not only are they seeing ivory prices drop, but there’s been an uptick in unlawful confiscations by federal agents.

Melanie Bahnke is president of Kawerak, the regional nonprofit for the Bering Strait Region. Like Pungowiyi, she is from Savoonga and has siblings whose carvings help pay for clothing, heating oil and essential goods.

Earlier this summer, Kawerak flew in carvers from around the region for a craft fair in Nome to greet wealthy tourists when the Crystal Serenity cruise ship docked.

But it was a bust.

“Once they realized something was made out of ivory, you could tell that there was almost disdain,” Bahnke said in an interview during AFN.

Alaska has a robust internal market for walrus ivory, where subsistence hunting is not controversial and the use of marine mammal products is common.

But carvers are reliant on commerce with outside states.

Even though California and New York are far away, the drop in demand means Alaska ivory isn’t making it to market, an effect Bahnke and others worry could be devastating to rural communities like Savoonga.

“It can be a huge part of a family’s income,” Bahnke said. “Whether it’s an $80 carving or $8,000, when our communities are already living below poverty that’s a big source of income for our people.”

To conservationists, however, the demand for ivory that has funneled cash from tourists, merchants and galleries back to Alaskans is the same one threatening to wipe out elephants in Africa.

“We’re talking about the survival of a species,” said Elly Pepper with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“Given the current poaching crisis, we’re trying to close as many loopholes as we can to get the situation under control,” Pepper said, speaking from her home in Maine.

NRDC is one of the national conservation groups that has lobbied state legislatures on ivory bills. They focused on California, Hawaii and New York because they are the states that play the biggest role in illegal wildlife trafficking.

In the last decade, elephant poaching has reached unprecedented levels, driven by surging demand from China, Pepper said.

While the U.S. has long outlawed sales of “new” elephant ivory, there were enough allowances to fuel a black market.

“The U.S. has historically allowed the sale of old or antique elephant ivory. That created a huge loophole that lead to a parallel illegal market, because it’s very difficult to distinguish ivory date,” Pepper said.

The four state bans that have passed do technically include exemptions for walrus ivory harvested by Alaska Natives.

Pepper concedes that in the rush to deglamorize ivory overall, those nuances may have been lost.

“I think most people have tried to make it pretty specific to elephant ivory, but I think maybe the messaging has been conflated,” Pepper said.

Alaskans have few options for recourse over bans passed in other states. Subsistence advocates are recommending language in state bills that more explicitly acknowledges the rights of Alaska Natives, along with a public relations campaign highlighting the sustainable nature of walrus ivory.

Alaska mushers are waiting for the release of a Canadian-made documentary film that is purportedly damaging to sled-dog racing.

Parts of the film were made with the help of Iditarod resources, yet early reports of the film’s content indicate it is actually an indictment against the sport.

“Sled Dogs” was directed by accomplished film producer and director Fern Levitt.

Levitt is an instructor at the Toronto Film School, and has a 20-year body of work behind her of films detailing serious social issues ranging from desegregation in the U.S. to a Canadian view the Holocaust.

So, why sled dogs?

Levitt received $400,000 in Canadian dollars from the Canadian Media Fund to produce the film, although the targets of the film are primarily two kennels: one in Whistler, British Columbia, the other in Snomass, Colorado.

The film is expected to make its debut at the Whistler Film Festival in December.

Voiceovers set the tone for the film, which seems to be linked with a now inactive website publishing a list of sled-dog kennels in Alaska, and accompanied by an unabashed plea for money to fight sled-dog kennel operations in Canada and the U.S.

A companion website — http://sleddogsfilm.com/get-involved/# — touting the film was apparently was taken down on Tuesday.

Fern Levitt zeros in Dan MacEachen, a Snomass, Colorado, a kennel owner who was charged with animal cruelty in 2013.

He pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty in 2015. Other charges were dismissed.

MacEachen competed in the Iditarod seven times.

The Aspen Times published an obituary for MacEachen, who died in February 2016. He was 67.

Other footage shows abuses at a kennel in Whistler, British Columbia, with gut-wrenching scenes of mud-splattered dogs on 4-foot long chains, with only a plastic barrel for shelter.

According to an article last year published by the Aspen Times, Levitt was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to produce the documentary because of a high-profile case of dog – culling at a Whistler sled dog kennel.

The Times article said, “Levitt has been commissioned to find dog-sledding businesses in the U.S. and Canada that are managed as Levitt said, in a ‘humane responsible manner.’”

The documentary trailer does not indicate if the film includes any humane mushing examples.

Levitt did not respond to an email request for comment, nor did Stan Hooley, Iditarod Trial Sled Dog Race executive director.

The film has a run time of 82 minutes.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is installing gates at Haines most popular bear viewing area: the Chilkoot River Corridor.

It’s the first step in the effort to improve the road. While the work is happening this week, vehicle access is limited.

State parks staff say locals shouldn’t worry about the gate restricting access to the recreation area in the future.

Southeast State Parks Superintendent Mike Eberhardt says the two gates being installed on Chilkoot Road are a precautionary measure. Early this year, the Department of Transportation transferred management of the road to DNR.

“Because the management has changed to a State Parks road, we have a greater obligation to public safety,” Eberhardt said.

He says DNR needs to have the ability to close the road in case of a safety hazard, whether it’s a traffic accident, extreme weather event or dangerous wildlife situation. He doesn’t anticipate the gate being used for anything except emergencies.

Haines Park Ranger Travis Russell agrees.

“I foresee [closures happening] only during peak tourist season times if there’s a bear incident,” Russell said. “But because there’s a campground at the end of that, closing a gate really impedes peoples’ access. So I think keeping that in mind, access will still be open to public. There’s really no reason to close it other than major emergency.”

Safety has long been a concern on the Chilkoot River. During the summer, bears, fishermen, tourists and photographers converge in close range. One reason for the transfer to DNR was to pave the way for a road improvement project to help improve safety. The bulk of the road work isn’t expected until next year. But for now, Eberhardt says DNR has the responsibility to put this one emergency safety measure in place.

According to bid documents on the DNR website, the work taking place this week includes installation of two gates, four traffic posts, and a sign.

Over the next few days while construction is happening, access to Chilkoot is limited. People on foot are still able to enter the area, but vehicle access is restricted. Russell says the work is expected to be finished by Friday.

Mushers are expressing frustration over controversial rule changes the Iditarod made during a board meeting Friday.

The race’s Trail Committee is upholding rule 35, which for the first-time ever will allow the use of two-way communication devices, including cellphones and satellite phones along the trail.

The organization thinks the measure will make for a safer race, a news release said.

“This rule change involved more than the usual amount of discussion and deliberation over the last eight months, which included a tremendous amount of input from the competitors in this event,” according to the release.

Mushers have been critical of the rule, saying it represents one of the biggest changes ever made to the race.

Iditarod veteran Wade Marrs attended the board meeting.

“Every musher there was opposed to the rule,” Marrs said by phone Friday afternoon. “It will change the race drastically I believe.”

Mushers said the measure could open the door to coaching and unfair advantages, a violation of race rules, but something that competitors say will be practically unenforceable.

“You can bet that someone’s going to call home and get help and outside assistance,” Marrs said.

Marrs, like other mushers, cited the controversial rule 53 — the so-called gag-order passed last year– in reserving criticisms of the decision by the board to change the rule.

Another source of tension from today’s meeting is a decision to change where equipment can be carried on sleds.

Rumors were circulating that the measure was a ban on trailers, which have been used by many of the top-performing mushers the last few years to haul dogs, supplies, and even a stove.

The Iditarod Trail Committee said that is not the case, and will be sending out the new official language to competitors.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The state Department of Fish and Game has announced that fees will increase for sport fishing, hunting and trapping licenses starting next year.

KTUU-TV reports the agency’s announcement Thursday comes as the result of a bill approved by lawmakers earlier this year. Fish and Game says the law, which takes effect Jan. 1, was supported by conservation groups, sportsmen’s organizations and the guiding industry.

Officials say it’s the first time in 24 years that fees for Alaska hunting licenses will increase.

Fees for fishing licenses haven’t gone up in a decade.

Hunting licenses will cost Alaskans $45 next year, up from the current price of $25. Sportfishing licenses will increase from $24 to $29.

Nonresidents seeking an annual hunting license will have to pay $160 in 2017, nearly double what they’re paying this year.

Longtime Skagway Assemblyman Dan Henry resigned his seat this week, less than a month before he goes to prison.

In February, Henry pleaded guilty to federal tax charges.

Henry was absent from the last two assembly meetings, leaving the question of whether he planned to resign up in the air.

That question was finally answered at Thursday’s meeting.

“We did receive a resignation from Assemblyman Henry,” Mayor Mark Schaefer said.

Henry wasn’t there, so Schaefer read from his letter, which Henry addressed to Borough Clerk Emily Deach.

He wrote:

“Emily, Please inform the Mayor and Assembly that as of today, I am resigning from the Skagway City Assembly, and please relay to all that it has been my pleasure and most profound honor to serve on the Council and Assembly for the past 20 years. I believe Skagway to be in the best position financially in its existence and with a bright future ahead. I would like to feel that I may have aided in that evolution and hope for Skagway’s continued growth and prosperity. Best Regards, Dan Henry.”

“And we wish him luck in what he’s facing,” Schaefer added.

What he’s facing is a year and a day in federal prison and possible penalties from the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

Henry’s case came to light early this year when he was convicted of willful failure to timely file federal income tax returns.

He pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor charges after two years of plea deal negotiations.

Henry is the owner of the Skagway Fish Company restaurant.

According to court documents, he failed to file his income taxes from 2004 to 2012. He also failed to disclose any annual income over a thousand dollars on years of financial disclosure reports to APOC.

Henry was ordered to pay more than $600,000 in restitution to the IRS.

In September, a judge sentenced him to a year and a day in prison.

At that hearing, Henry gave an explanation for his behavior, saying he struggled with drinking and gambling that led to a number of financial losses.

There may be more repercussions on the way for Henry.

An APOC case involving his incomplete filings is set to go before the commission at its regular meeting Tuesday.

APOC staff recommended a fine of $22,000 for the violations. The commission will make a final decision on the penalty Tuesday.

Henry never publicly addressed the situation at assembly meetings, although he did write a letter to the editor in the local newspaper.

Henry has not returned multiple requests for comment.

Although Henry didn’t speak about the matter at assembly meetings, some residents did.

Several people called on him to step down from elected office.

Bob Carlson spoke at a meeting in August.

“I believe the assembly members should be of the highest character and moral,” Carlson said. “I just feel that you failed me and our community too.”

Carlson was one of a few residents who asked Henry to resign in time for his seat to be placed on the Oct. 3 municipal election ballot.

That did not happen.

Now, the mayor will appoint someone to the seat Henry vacated.

There were four candidates who ran for two open assembly seats in the recent election.

Some have asked for one of the two candidates who were not the top vote-getters to be appointed to the vacant seat. They are David Brena and write-in candidate Spencer Morgan.

Mayor Schaefer plans to address the appointment at the next assembly meeting.

KHNS could not reach Schaefer for comment by air time.

Meanwhile, Schaefer appointed different assembly members to fill Henry’s spot as vice mayor and chair of the assembly finance committee.

Tim Cochran takes over as vice mayor and Steve Burnham Jr. as finance chair.

Henry has been ordered to report to a federal prison facility to serve out his sentence by Nov. 1.