2013-01-18                     Senate Journal                      Page 0061
There are millions of water bodies and tens of millions of acres of                                                             
wetlands in Alaska. State primacy of dredge and fill activities under 33                                                        
U.S.C. 1344 is consistent with congressional intent under 33 U.S.C.                                                             
1251 that the states have the primary responsibilities and rights in                                                            
regulating activities involving lands and waters within their                                                                   
boundaries.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The legislation provides that the Department of Natural Resources, in                                                           
coordination with the Department of Environmental Conservation, will                                                            
take the reasonable steps to assume the authority to administer and                                                             
enforce any authorized dredge and fill permitting allowed under 33                                                              
U.S.C. 1344 (Section 404, Clean Water Act).                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Alaska should assume primacy for permitting projects in the state. I                                                            
urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Sean Parnell                                                                                                                    
Governor                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 28                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 28 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
            "An Act relating to the sale of timber on state land;                                                              
             establishing the Susitna State Forest; 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 Natural Resources                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 17: