2002-08-14                     House Journal                      Page 4086
HB 474                                                                                            
The following letter, dated July 5, 2002, was received:                                             
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    

2002-08-14                     House Journal                      Page 4087
Under the authority vested in me by art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska                                 
Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill:                                                     
                                                                                                    
      CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 474(CRA) am                                                             
      "An Act relating to public rights-of-way and easements for surface                            
      transportation affecting the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge."                              
                                                                                                    
Alaska's unmatched beauty is a chief reason why Alaska's visitor                                    
industry attracts nearly a million travelers to our state each year and a                           
primary reason why Alaskans love this spectacular land we call home.                                
In Anchorage, much of this magnificent scenery and the wildlife                                     
which reside in it can be viewed up close and personal along the                                    
Coastal Trail, which currently runs from downtown Anchorage to                                      
Kincaid Park. Thanks to additional trail investments in recent years,                               
Alaskans and travelers hiking, biking and skiing can also enjoy scenic                              
visas on trails for most of the distance between Potter Marsh and                                   
Girdwood. A broad majority of Anchorage residents want the Coastal                                  
Trail extended between Kincaid and Potter Marsh, so they may enjoy                                  
an uninterrupted trail system between downtown Anchorage and                                        
Girdwood. Much of this trail already is part of the national trail system                           
and would be a major attraction for Alaska's visitor industry.                                      
                                                                                                    
For years, the State of Alaska has been working successfully with the                               
Municipality of Anchorage to advance this trail extension between                                   
Kincaid and Potter. With this bill, the Legislature - voting largely                                
along party lines - is attempting to insert itself in a process where it                            
doesn't belong and which could jeopardize the timely completion of                                  
the Coastal Trail.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
This bill would adversely affect the state's ability to manage the                                  
Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and could delay on-going public                                   
planning and decision-making processes by imposing strict legislative                               
notice requirements, compliance with which would be required before                                 
any right-of-way could be created in the refuge. In addition, the                                   
legislation has the potential to impair the creation of rights-of-way for                           
utility uses within the refuge, as well as easements for surface                                    
transportation.                                                                                     
                                                                                                    
By statute, the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of                                   
Natural Resources are charged as the stewards of this unique and                                    

2002-08-14                     House Journal                      Page 4088
important public resource. Our land managers should be guided by                                    
both sound science and public input in weighing the public need to                                  
access the refuge against the habitat needs of the many species of                                  
wildlife inhabiting the refuge. The state and the Municipality of                                   
Anchorage are currently evaluating the transportation and recreational                              
needs of the community and are considering a variety of alternatives to                             
meet those important needs. It is inappropriate for the Legislature to                              
insert itself into this on-going public process.                                                    
                                                                                                    
For these reasons, I have vetoed this bill.                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                             Sincerely,                                            
                                             /s/                                                    
                                             Tony Knowles                                           
                                              Governor"