Enrolled SB 270: Establishing November as Avalanche Awareness Month.
00Enrolled SB 270 01 Establishing November as Avalanche Awareness Month. 02 _______________ 03 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 04 to read: 05 INTENT. Alaskans live, work, and play on the edge of the wilderness. We spend 06 twice as much time engaging in winter recreational activities as most other Americans. Many 07 of the state's popular winter recreation areas are subject to avalanche danger. Many Alaskans 08 are not properly educated or equipped to recognize and respond to avalanches. Alaska has the 09 highest avalanche death rate per capita in the nation: more than 70 Alaskans have died in 10 avalanches in Alaska since 1968, with 28 of those deaths occurring since 1999. In 11 establishing November as Avalanche Awareness Month, it is the intent of the legislature to 12 encourage education of Alaskans about avalanche risks, responding to avalanches, and the use 13 of appropriate equipment, in order to reduce the incidence of avalanche-related fatalities. 14 * Sec. 2. AS 44.12 is amended by adding a new section to read: 15 Sec. 44.12.098. Avalanche Awareness Month. The month of November
01 each year is established as Avalanche Awareness Month. Avalanche Awareness 02 Month may be observed by schools, community groups, and other public and private 03 agencies and individuals with appropriate activities that increase the public's 04 awareness of avalanche dangers, how to respond to avalanches, and the use of 05 appropriate equipment in avalanche areas.