03/19/2009 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

                 SB 127-SOUTHEAST STATE FOREST                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:33:47 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 127.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
DEAN BROWN, Deputy Director, Division  of Forestry, Department of                                                               
Natural  Resources,  said  SB  127  creates  a  state  forest  in                                                               
Southeast Alaska with 20 parcels  totaling 25,291 acres. They are                                                               
general-use  lands  on  Prince   of  Wales,  Kosciusko,  Tuxekan,                                                               
Gravina, Heceta,  and Revilla  islands as well  as one  parcel on                                                               
the mainland.  These lands  will be open  for multiple  uses like                                                               
mining,  recreation,  and  logging.  The  bill  will  not  affect                                                               
Wrangell's  land selections.  The bill  will allow  the state  to                                                               
invest in  long-term intensive forest management,  like thinning.                                                               
There is a supportive resolution  from Coffman Cove. The Board of                                                               
Forestry and the  Alaska Miners Association support  the bill. It                                                               
will  increase forest  productivity  and multiple  uses and  will                                                               
benefit communities and industry.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:36:54 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  THOMAS  moved  to  report SB  127  from  committee  with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  attached  fiscal note(s).  There                                                               
being no objection, SB 127 moved out of committee.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:37:44 PM                                                                                                                    
The committee took a brief at-ease.