2005-04-12                     Senate Journal                      Page 0900
The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                   
                                                                                                    
SB 85                                                                                             
The Resources Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 85 "An                                           
Act repealing the ban on the use of certain off-road vehicles within                                
five miles of the right-of-way of the James Dalton Highway; and                                     
providing for an effective date" and recommended the adoption of the                                
following Resources Committee Letter of Intent:                                                     
                                                                                                    
                               Letter of Intent                                                    
                                                                                                    
  The legislature acknowledges the provision of Article VIII,                                       
  Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Alaska State Constitution.  These                                      
  sections provide, seriatim, that:                                                                 
       (1) it is the policy of the State to encourage the settlement of                             
            its land and the   development of its resources by making                               
            them available for maximum use consistent with the                                      
            public interest;                                                                        
       (2) the legislature shall provide for the utilization,                                       
            development, and conservation of all natural resources                                  
            belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the                              
            maximum benefit of its people; and                                                      
       (3) wherever occurring in their natural state, fish, wildlife                                
            and waters are reserved to the people for common use.                                   
                                                                                                    
  The legislature thus recognizes that it is the policy of the state to                             
  encourage the development of its land and resources, but in a                                     
  manner that recognizes the collective interests of the people as the                              
  owners of these lands and resources.  It is consistent with the                                   
  public interest that resources be developed responsibly - not                                     
  ruined or plundered.                                                                              
                                                                                                    
  It is the intent of the Legislature, by removing the AS 19.40.210                                 
  blanket prohibition of all recreational off-road vehicles on the                                  
  lands within the Dalton Highway corridor north of the Yukon                                       
  River bridge, to encourage and provide for a broad range of                                       
  public access alternatives to public lands consistent with the                                    
  multiple use principle and to do so in concert with modern                                        
  principles of stewardship.