The Upper Lynn Canal Fish and Game Advisory Committee recommended at its April 27 meeting the state Department of Environmental Conservation take authority over the Tier 3 water designation process.

The state is without a mechanism to designate waters for the high-level protection, and is seeking input on what the process should look like.

The Chilkat Indian Village nominated the Chilkat River for Tier 3 status as an Outstanding National Resource Water in early 2015, one of four current nominations in the state. Supporters of the Constantine mine exploration in Haines say such protection is an obstacle to development.

Gov. Bill Walker introduced legislation in 2016 to give designation power to the state legislature. The local committee then recommended the state decide on designations through science-based state agencies instead of the politically charged legislature. Walker later revoked the bills after public opposition.

The committee specifically recommended DEC handle the process to influence discussion at a May 2 Tier 3 workshop in Dillingham.

Committee member Derek Poinsette said many other states use DEC to designate Tier 3 waters.

“The simplest, cleanest way that would be legal and fill all the requirements would just be to have the agency make the decision,” Poinsette said.

But committee member Randy Jackson said he wanted more input from the community before the advisory board sent a letter.

“It’s not going to be a good move for us to say DEC should have the ultimate authority without community input,” Jackson said. “The input I’ve had from all the community meetings and people I’ve talked to say DEC as the sole and ultimate authority is not the way to go.”

Jackson said he heard from people that a board with stakeholders and agency representatives should govern the process.

Committee member John Hagen said a board approach would “dilute the process” by making it more politicized.

“A board approach is in a way no different from a legislative approach where it would politicize the issue and somewhat dilute the power of – and actually make it a lot more difficult because you have too many people involved in the process,” Hagen said. “A single agency approach is prudent. It’s more efficient.”

The committee’s letter also supports allowing any Alaska resident to make a Tier 3 nomination.