02/28/2002 03:40 PM Senate STA

                                                                                                                              
                SCR 26-AVALANCHE AWARENESS MONTH                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
JERRY BURNETT, Staff to Senator Lyda  Green, testified that SCR 26                                                              
proclaims November  2002 as avalanche  awareness month.  Each year                                                              
Alaskans lose their  lives as a result of avalanches  and 1999 was                                                              
one of the worst when 14 people died.  Avalanches are difficult to                                                              
predict and prevent  so education on their dangers  as well as the                                                              
conditions under which they are likely to occur can save lives.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The  proclamation  will  raise public  awareness  of  the  hazards                                                              
associated with  avalanches and  the opportunities to  participate                                                              
in  avalanche  safety training  at  the  beginning of  the  winter                                                              
recreation season. Hopefully, the  increased knowledge will result                                                              
in lives being saved.                                                                                                           
The  need  for  the  proclamation  was brought  to  light  by  the                                                              
Backcountry   Awareness  Response  Team   (BAART),  which   is  an                                                              
organization  formed by  family members  of avalanche victims  who                                                              
are dedicated to  preventing future avalanche deaths.  The team is                                                              
comprised  of trained  volunteers  who provide  search and  rescue                                                              
services following slides and who  educate the public on avalanche                                                              
safety.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
There was no further testimony.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT clarified this  only applies to the year 2002;                                                              
it is not permanent.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
He noted the  zero fiscal note. There was no  committee substitute                                                              
and no amendments were proposed.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
He asked for the will of the committee.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS made a motion to  move SCR 26 and attached fiscal                                                              
note from committee with individual recommendations.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
There being no objection, SCR 26 moved from committee.