Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-12 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-12 Senate Journal Page 0067 SB 33 SENATE BILL NO. 33 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 2001-01-12 Senate Journal Page 0068 "An Act authorizing the commissioner of fish and game to award grants for habitat restoration or enhancement projects; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Fish and Game Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12: Dear President Halford: To continue our efforts to protect and enhance Alaska's natural resources, I am transmitting this bill authorizing the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game to award grants for habitat restoration activities. Under this bill, the commissioner would have express authority to directly award grants to restore and improve fish and wildlife habitats in Alaska. Current law necessitates the department to channel money through other agencies which causes delay and adds considerable administrative cost. An increasing amount of federal funding is available to restore fish habitat and passage. We have many opportunities to use these funds, particularly in the more developed areas of the state. Many of these opportunities are found on private land on some of Alaska's most productive fish streams, such as the Kenai River. Since the inception of the Kenai River 50/50 Cost Share project in 1995, the department has approved 160 projects to rehabilitate some 9,600 feet of riverbank and protect more than 15,700 feet of the Kenai River. But more money could have been directly targeted to these projects if we did not have to pay the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service its 11 percent administrative cost for channeling these funds to the state. Direct grant authority for the department will eliminate the need to use the federal agency in this way. 2001-01-12 Senate Journal Page 0069 This legislation provides a more cost-effective way to continue efforts on private and public land to rehabilitate, improve, and protect Alaska's valuable fish and wildlife habitats. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor