Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 124
03/27/2006 02:00 PM House RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR30 | |
| HB307 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 307 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 307-KNIK RIVER PUBLIC USE AREA CO-CHAIR RAMRAS announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 307, "An Act creating the Knik River Public Use Area." REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 307 as sponsor. He said the affected area is in his district, and he attempted to balance multiple use, good management, and habitat protection. He held two fairly extensive public hearings in Butte and has had countless meetings with people in support of, as well as not in support of, this bill. He said the most prevalent concern is enforcement and resources. He noted that he has worked closely with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Attorney General's Office on this bill, and the enforcement language has drastically changed from the original version. His proposed amendment would allow outside entities to support enforcement. He remarked that the Matanuska-Susitna motorized users are skeptical of a management plan, but he convinced them of a multiple-use plan that protects habitat. He stated that the Butte Community Council endorsed the bill. The Matanuska- Susitna Borough endorsed the concept of a public use area in their resolution, without endorsing this actual bill. 3:15:15 PM CO-CHAIR SAMUELS moved to adopt CSHB 307, Version 24-LS0737\I, Bullock, 3/15/06, as the working document. There being no objection, Version I was before the committee. DICK MYLIUS, Acting Director, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Department of Natural Resources, said the division had concerns with the original draft, which has been addressed in the CS. He affirmed that the concept of a public-use area has a lot of public support, but there are concerns regarding management. He explained that this bill would set aside approximately 264,000 acres of state land as a public-use area, which is a multiple-use area open to mining and logging. He noted that it would start near Butte, and the western end of the area is within a mile of the old Glen Highway, which has trail access and fairly heavy public use. Some of the areas further to the east are more remote, including a portion of the Knik Glacier and some valleys that drain south into the Knik River. It includes a large area of the Knik River flats, which is popular for off-road vehicle use. He said this bill requires a management plan from DNR because there are competing ideas as to how this area should be managed. This bill also gives DNR enforcement authority, which is important because of the area's extensive abuse by the public. He referred to an Alaska State Trooper report on the activities they have been called for. It is a dumping ground for people to trash and burn vehicles, and a management presence is necessary, he opined. 3:20:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked about any current designations. MR. MYLIUS responded that it's just general state land with no particular designation. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked why page 2, Section 41.23.190(c), reads, "The Knik River Public Use Area may not be managed as a unit of the state park system." REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE said it's a different type of management, and there is language which will allow park enforcement but not management and promulgation of regulations. 3:24:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked whether citation authority is included in arrest authority. MR. MYLIUS confirmed that citation authority is included in arrest authority. He mentioned that the Attorney General's Office helped draft the bill. REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD asked, "Are there any private land holders in this area, and would this change the way they're able to manage their land?" 3:25:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE surmised that there are private land holders and explained that since it is state land, this bill would not affect their use of their land. MR. MYLIUS clarified that only state land and water are included in this bill. He said there are some private lands within this geographic area, primarily owned by the Eklutna Corporation. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said page 2, [Section 41.23.190](d) reads, "With the assistance of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the commissioner shall identify wetland areas within the Knik River Public Use Area and provide for the protection and use of the wetland areas in the management plan." He said the Army Corps of Engineers produced a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map from satellite data on the Kenai Peninsula and classified the entire lower peninsula as wetlands. "Are we setting ourselves up for a problem?" he asked. MR. MYLIUS responded that DNR is simply requesting help with identifying wetlands. He added that because the Army Corps of Engineers has regulatory authority over wetlands, it will be useful to have its assistance in identifying those areas. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON stated that he wants DNR to investigate what has happened on the lower Kenai Peninsula with the GIS identification of all of Homer [as wetlands]. 3:28:21 PM TODD CLARK, President, Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance, said the alliance is comprised of many access organizations, mostly from Southcentral Alaska. The objective of the alliance is to maximize the legitimate use of a resource similar to this. He mentioned that motorized users recognize that there's a lot of illegal use [of this area], but they're reluctant to support any form of management. Management is necessary, and the specific provisions that users are most interested in are the protection for existing trails and the management objective that this area be a destination for motorized users. In regard to the lakes and streams in this area, the salmon population is excellent, the moose population is optimal for the amount of habitat, and waterfowl are healthy and strong. 3:33:02 PM MR. MYLIUS, in response to Representative Gatto, confirmed that mining will be allowed, but it will require a permit. [HB 307 was held over.]
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