Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/02/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB100 | |
| SB159 | |
| SB151 | |
| SB226 | |
| SB179 | |
| SB210 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 100 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 159 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 226 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 179 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 221 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 192 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 159
"An Act establishing the Susitna State Forest; and
providing for an effective date."
9:34:23 AM
SENATOR LINDA MENARD, introduced SB 159. She referred to
the Sponsor Statement (copy on file).
The Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 159 will
establish a new Susitna State Forest from state lands
presently used for timber harvest and exclude private
in-holdings from the proposed forest. Further, this CS
includes intent language that urges the governor to
work to acquire or purchase forest land in the Tongass
National Forest.
With a state forest designation, the Division of
Forestry will be able to manage for a long-term supply
of timber to local processors, and retain the land in
state ownership for multiple uses. The Susitna State
Forest would be the fourth state forest established in
Alaska, joining the Haines State Forest, the Tanana
Valley State Forest and the Southeast State Forest.
The proposed Susitna State Forest includes 33 parcels
totaling approximately 763,200 acres. The parcels are
Forestry classified lands located in 14 large
management blocks listed below. The Division of
Forestry worked with the Division of Mining, Land, and
Water Management to identify and exclude lands that
are priorities for the state land disposal program.
In the region where the State Forest is proposed,
timber sales and personal use sales for fuel wood are
growing steadily. Local mills depend on state timber
for their raw material supply, and there is a growing
interest in the use of wood in the form of round wood,
chips or wood pellets for both commercial and
residential space heating.
The state is committed to long-term management
solutions by:
-maximizing the sustainable supply of timber from the
state timber base;
-developing access and encouraging a broad range of
multiple uses on state forest lands including
motorized uses;
-providing economic opportunities to the communities,
businesses and residents of the region.
Legislatively designating a State Forest would ensure
that some land will remain available for long-term
forest management and the region will retain large
open spaces of public lands for the range of benefits
residents of the region currently enjoy. It will also
allow for mining on state forest land.
The Susitna State Forest would be managed as part of
the State Forest System under AS 41.17.200-.230. Lands
in the State Forest would continue to be open for
multiple uses, including wildlife habitat and harvest
and recreational activities.
Senator Menard stated that the current version of the bill
provided exclusions for the private land within the
proposed boundaries of the State Forests. She stated that
there was work with the Division of Forestry and the
Division of Land Water and Mining to locate and designate
the exclusions. The exclusions had been precisely examined
for accuracy. The current version also added intent
language on page 31 that urged the governor to acquire or
purchase land from the Tongass National Forest. From a
fiscal standpoint, the Division of Forestry would not
require new positions to administer the State Forests. She
remarked that the fiscal note from the Division of Forestry
displayed no negative financial impact to the State.
Co-Chair Stedman pointed out the one zero fiscal note from
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Senator Thomas surmised that the new designation did not
change any existing uses of the land, but only enhanced the
forestry aspect. Senator Menard agreed with Senator
Thomas's estimation.
9:40:22 AM
Senator Olson wondered if there was input from any local
property areas in the proposed area. Senator Menard replied
that she had not heard any opposition from nearby property
owners.
Senator Olson wondered if the local people knew of the
proposal. He specifically wondered if property owners who
were currently harvesting wood for personal use would still
be able to obtain wood in that manner. Senator Menard
replied that property owners would still be able to harvest
the wood, as long as the property owner had a permit.
CHRIS MAISCH, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF FORESTRY, JUNEAU,
emphasized that the state forest lands were managed under
the State Forests, Resources, and Practices Act, which was
primarily designed to protect fish habitat and water
quality. A recent forest inventory was completed on the
proposed area, as required by statute, and that information
was available on the State's Division of Forestry website.
He emphasized that the designation would not change any
current activities that were allowed in state forests, and
furthered that, over time, many of those activities would
be enhanced. He stressed that there was a requirement to
develop access to the proposed state forest, which would be
the result of many meetings.
9:45:49 AM
OWEN GRAHAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA FOREST ASSOCIATION,
KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified in support of SB
159. He felt that the land could be used for a much
improved timber supply for the local mills. He remarked
that the Alaska Forest Association member owned a small
mill that had been idle for the recent years. He relayed a
similar problem in Southeast Alaska, because the federal
government controlled more than 90 percent of the timber
supply in Southeast. He stressed that when the federal
government "took away" the timber supply, 85 percent of
timber employment was lost.
RICK ROGERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), voiced support of
SB 159. He felt that the proposed state forest would
provide a much needed benefit to the local economy; and
create and sustain much needed jobs in the forest products
industry. He also voiced support of the amendment to the
bill, which helped address the critical timber supply
issues in Southeast Alaska.
Senator Thomas noted the wide variety of letters from
various organizations. He wondered if there was a letter
from the "National Marmot Association."
Senator Menard urged support of SB 159.
SB 159 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.