It is true that Wagoner is the only representative from the Kenai Peninsula asked to serve on a panel that is likely to touch on highly charged, controversial areas of debate. In legislative session valley lawmakers suggested commercial fishermen in the inlet were intercepting fish headed to the Susitna and Yentna Rivers and that the Board of Fisheries and Department of Fish and Game were not doing the job of allocating resources equitably.
Senate President Lyda Green, R-Wasilla, and House Speaker John Harris, R-Valdez, named the members of the task force. Also on the panel are Sens. Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla, Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, and Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, as well as Reps. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage (chairman), Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak/Mat-Su, and Mike Doogan, D-Anchorage.
Initially Wagoner was not in favour of a legislative task force, saying it was poor policy to have politicians making fisheries allocation recommendations rather than Board of Fisheries members acting with the advice of biologists. He informed that the Board of Fisheries already was engaged in gathering scientific information regarding escapement into the Susitna and Yentna drainages.
According to Seaton if the legislative force becomes successful it could be an important factor into future decisions about escapement levels set for fisheries farther south in Cook Inlet.
