2001-07-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1885
SB 156                                                                                            
Message dated and received July 11, stating:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
On this date I have signed the following bill passed by the first session                           
of the Twenty-second Alaska State Legislature and am transmitting                                   
the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office                               
for permanent filing:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
           CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 156(RES) "An Act                                                  
           amending the Alaska Land Act to clarify the                                              
           requirement of a single written best interest finding                                    
           required for the sale, lease, or other disposal of state                                 
           land or resources or an interest in them, and relating                                   
           to certain disposals involving multiphased                                               
           development; and providing for an effective date."                                       
                                                                                                    
                            Chapter 101, SLA 2001                                                  
                           Effective Date: 7/12/01                                                 
                                                                                                    
This bill amends the Alaska Land Act clarifying that a single written                               
best interest finding is required for the sale, lease, or other disposal of                         
state land or resources.                                                                            
                                                                                                    
The bill makes clear that multiple best interest findings are not needed                            
for all subsequent phases of development beyond the initial lease or                                
sale. However, it adds explicit requirements that public notice and the                             

2001-07-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1886
opportunity to comment must be provided for subsequent phases of                                    
development, either directly through the Department of Natural                                      
Resources or under the Alaska Coastal Management Program                                            
consistency review.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
There are adequate mechanisms for review at later phases of                                         
development other than best interest findings. Post-disposal oil and gas                            
activities are subject to numerous federal, state, and local permitting                             
procedures. For most major projects this includes extensive analysis in                             
environmental assessments and environmental impact statements                                       
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.A. §§                                  
4321-4370). In addition, major oil and gas developments are subject to                              
Alaska Coastal Zone Management Program consistency analyses.                                        
                                                                                                    
As instructed by the bill, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)                                
will promulgate regulations providing for fair and adequate public                                  
notice and opportunity to comment on oil and gas projects not covered                               
by public notice under the Alaska Coastal Management Program. In                                    
short, SB 156 offers additional opportunities for public comment on                                 
oil and gas projects at the exploration, development, and transportation                            
phases.                                                                                             
                                                                                                    
       Sincerely,                                                                                   
       /s/                                                                                          
       Tony Knowles                                                                                 
       Governor