JUNEAU, Alaska - A member of the statehouse's Juneau delegation is questioning the relocation of the director of the Division of Wildlife Conservation from the state capital to Anchorage.

House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, is not happy with the position's move from Juneau to Anchorage, which took place when Corey Rossi was made the new division director, effective Tuesday. Rossi, formerly the assistant commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, lives in Wasilla.

"Wildlife (Conservation) Division deals with a lot of controversy and has a lot of issues before the Legislature; this position needs to be in Juneau," she said.

Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, said moving the position to Anchorage was a "bad idea" and that he was unable to determine why it had been done.

Rossi replaces Division Director Doug Larsen, who is returning to his old job as southeast regional manager, fish and game department commissioner Denby Lloyd announced last week.

Lloyd defended the move by saying that the position was based in Anchorage prior to 1991.

Gov. Sean Parnell declined to comment on the decision to move the director's position to Anchorage. Spokeswoman Sharon Leighow also declined to say why the position had been moved and referred questions to Lloyd.

"The commissioners decide where to locate staff," she said.

Relocations must be approved by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. Lloyd's written request to move the Wildlife Conservation Division director's duty station to Anchorage suggested it was at Rossi's insistence.

"He has accepted the position and requested to perform the duties from Anchorage," wrote Lloyd's administrative services director to the OMB.

"If the location changes are denied, the division will be unable to fulfill the staffing appointment," the Fish and Game memo said.

Kerttula said a desire by Rossi not to relocate was not a good enough reason.

"If it's because the guy lived in Wasilla, I don't accept that as a valid reason," she said.

Rossi is a relative newcomer to the agency. Lloyd said he chose Rossi because he brings a "can do" attitude to the agency's mission.

Rossi's selection has been criticized by some wildlife and conservation groups who believe his leadership will result in hunters being heavily favored over other user groups.