1999-07-28                     House Journal                      Page 1772
HB 131                                                                       
The following letter, dated June 11, 1999, was received:                       
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
Under the authority vested in me by art. II, sec. 15 of the Alaska             
Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill:                                
                                                                               
HOUSE BILL NO. 131 am S                                                       
"An Act relating to public rights-of-way and easements for surface            
transportation across the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge."                  
                                                                               
This legislation would adversely affect the state's ability to manage the      
Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and would circumvent an ongoing              
public planning process by requiring an act of the Legislature before          
any right-of-way could be created in the refuge.                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
By statute, the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of              
Natural Resources are charged as the stewards of this unique and               
important public resource.  Our land managers should be guided by              
sound science and public input in weighing the public need to access           
the refuge against the habitat needs of those many species of wildlife         
inhabiting this unique area.                                                   
                                                                               

1999-07-28                     House Journal                      Page 1773
HB 131                                                                       
The state and the Municipality of Anchorage are currently evaluating           
the transportation and recreational needs of the community and a               
variety of different alternatives to meet those important needs.  By law       
we have wisely delegated local planning functions to the local                 
government with input from involved state agencies.  It is                     
inappropriate for the legislature to insert itself in this process.  There     
is no other instance in which legislative approval of this type of             
management action is required for such lands.                                  
                                                                               
For these reasons, I have vetoed this bill.                                    
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"