Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2022-03-14 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2022-03-14 House Journal Page 2081 HB 398 HOUSE BILL NO. 398 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act requiring the designation of outstanding national resource water to occur only by statute; relating to the management of outstanding national resource water by the Department of Environmental Conservation; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Resources Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Environmental Conservation The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 10 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to designation of Outstanding National Resource Waters (Tier III) in Alaska. The Environmental Protection Agency requires that states have a process by which an ''Outstanding National Resource Water,'' or a Tier III water, may be designated, and has approved the Department of Environmental Conservation's policy to direct nominations for Tier III waters to the Legislature. The designation of a Tier III water includes significant use restrictions and requires substantial evaluations on that water and would exceed the Department's statutory authority to regulate the quality and purity of the water. This bill would establish that a Tier III water may only be designated in statute, and water may not be managed as Tier III waters unless they have been designated. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. 2022-03-14 House Journal Page 2082 Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor"