Issues lobbied + lobbyists
MAR — Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
● Provide Client with information/implications of S.4236 and gaining access to agriculture programs; send Client letter of support to AK Delegation ● Participate in Hill staff discussions on MSA/ESA/MMPA reforms; continue to oppose the transfer of protected species management authority from NOAA to USFWS; advise Client on critical habitat designation for North Pacific Right Whales ● Outreach to NOAA on implementation of seafood EO and deregulatory agenda ● Continue to monitor federal agency activities, hearings (reports on US-CAN-MEX Senate & House IUU hearings in Q1) and legislation (S.688 & S.1369) related to IUU fishing and forced labor in the seafood industry; updates on NOAA MMPA comparability findings and status of industry-driven litigation ● Monitor Offshore Wind developments, related EOs, and track BOEM activities and House passage of the SPEED Act (H.R. 4776); share NAS OSW West Coast final report on impacts to fisheries ● Ongoing monitoring and reporting on numerous marine/oceans issues including: status of marine sanctuaries in the region, MMPA issues; fishery disaster reform; VIDA status; OSW energy development & impacts on whales; WA-AK chinook salmon status and SRKW population issues; MSA reauthorization, Hill staff changes, National Seafood Strategy/EO implementation, ESA Alaska King Salmon petition; NPFMC bycatch
Lobbyists: RICK MARKS; SEBASTIAN O'KELLY
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); SENATE
TRA — Transportation
Tracking and alerting client of funding opportunities available through the Dept. of Transportation Akutan Harbor funding issues, including Water Resources Development Act project authorization and funding. Support for Essential Air Service (EAS) program funding. Support for EAS Akutan air service route options. Support for request that DOT assess passenger air service costs and reliability in the Aleutian Islands to improve community air service. Support for Cold Bay Commercial Dock replacement project and grant funding implementation
Lobbyists: SEBASTIAN O'KELLY; RICK MARKS
Government entities lobbied: Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT)
NAT — Natural Resources
Assist Client efforts to support the Izembek NWR land exchange and construction of the King Cove-Cold Bay Road Tracking FY 2026 PILT funding
Lobbyists: RICK MARKS; SEBASTIAN O'KELLY
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Interior, Dept of (DOI); SENATE
DEF — Defense
Support for enhanced DOD presence in the Aleutian Islands
Lobbyists: RICK MARKS; SEBASTIAN O'KELLY
Government entities lobbied: Defense, Dept of (DOD); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
BUD — Budget/Appropriations
Tracking FY26 Surface Transportation funding request for construction of the Kind Cove-Cold Bay Road Development and submission of FY 2027 CDS/CPF requests.
Lobbyists: RICK MARKS; SEBASTIAN O'KELLY
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MIA — Media (information/publishing)
Support for public media program funding
Lobbyists: RICK MARKS; SEBASTIAN O'KELLY
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE