Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
02/16/2008 11:00 AM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB229 | |
| SB237 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 253 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 229 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 237 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 229-TANANA VALLEY FOREST/MINTO FLATS REFUGE
11:14:44 AM
CHAIR HUGGINS announced SB 229 to be up for consideration.
SENATOR JOE THOMAS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 229,
characterized the bill as simple and noncontroversial. He said
it amends the Tanana Valley State Forest (TVSF) boundaries to
correct errors in legal descriptions, update the land status,
and better match the management intent. The bill adds and
deletes boundary references to statutory legal descriptions. It
increases the state forest by about 40,000 acres and moves about
4,300 acres from the TVSF to the Minto Flats State Game Refuge.
SENATOR THOMAS explained that in 1983 the legislature created
the 1.8 million-acre TVSF, which stretches from Manley to Tok
and is open to mining, gravel extraction, oil and gas leasing,
and grazing. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages
the TVSF for a sustainable yield of these resources, with the
primary purpose of timber management. The Bonanza Creek
Experimental Forest, 12,400 acres dedicated to forestry
research, is located within the state forest.
SENATOR THOMAS said state forests provide fish and wildlife
habitat, clean water, opportunities for recreation and tourism,
and minerals. In addition to managing these resources, the TVSF
offers recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing,
trapping, camping, hiking, dog mushing, cross-country skiing,
wildlife viewing, snow machining, gold panning, boating, and
berry picking.
SENATOR THOMAS reported in 1996 the division updated the TVSF
management plan and established a 12-member citizens' advisory
committee. Representing a variety of state forest users, this
committee actively participates in forest planning in the Tanana
Basin; it has endorsed the recommendations on management of the
forest and has carefully crafted the changes in a manner that
resulted in support from all affected land users and owners.
SENATOR THOMAS indicated SB 229 is supported by the Alaska State
Forest Association, the Board of Forestry, the Yukon River
chapter of the Society of American Foresters, the Fairbanks
Economic Development Corporation, hunting and recreation groups,
and all surrounding land owners. He asked that legislators join
in helping to better align the state forest with its original
intent by passing SB 299.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked to be shown the deletions and additions on
the map.
11:17:44 AM
MARTHA WELBOURN FREEMAN, Forest Resources Program Manager,
Division of Forestry, Department of Natural Resources, indicated
four parcels recommended for deletion in the northern part of
the forest. She specified that the three shown in brown are
wetland areas on the boundary between the Minto Flats State Game
Refuge and the TVSF; similar to land in the refuge and not
commercial forest land, those would be added to and managed by
the refuge. The fourth, a sliver shown in yellow along the
Chatanika River, is intensely used for public recreation, has
many private in-holdings, and isn't a good candidate for
commercial forestry enterprises.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether there are any changes in the land
status or multiple uses such as hunting, fishing, or trapping.
MS. FREEMAN replied the parcels to be transferred to the refuge
wouldn't likely be managed for commercial forestry, but they
don't have such potential anyway. The refuge similarly is open
to multiple uses such as hunting, recreation, and so on. The
Chatanika River parcel would be managed as state public-domain
land, contiguous with portions on either side of it. Like other
state lands around it, this parcel would be managed subject to
the Tanana Basin Area Plan.
11:19:35 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how far the parcel shown in yellow is from
Fairbanks and where Bonanza Creek is.
MS. FREEMAN showed those on the map, noting the Bonanza Creek
area is Unit 5B, southwest of Fairbanks. She turned to areas
proposed for addition to the TVSF, noting one contains six
sections of land between the refuge and the state forest. It is
upland forest habitat, she said, productive forest with
commercial potential that currently is public domain land.
Also, there are two blocks of land adjacent to the area of the
Nenana Ridge, near Bonanza Creek. This is some of the most
actively managed land in the state forest, for commercial forest
harvesting, forest research, and hunting and other recreation.
There are parcels proposed for addition to that area.
MS. FREEMAN explained that some of the larger blocks will
transfer to the university in 2055 as part of the university
land settlement, becoming part of the University of Alaska
demonstration and experimental forest. She indicated DNR has
briefed the university, which supports having that land in the
state forest until the transfer. The bill won't affect the
settlement, and the land will transfer as envisioned previously.
11:21:21 AM
SENATOR McGUIRE arrived.
MS. FREEMAN, in response to Senator Stevens, said about 6,000
acres not currently in the state forest will be added. About
40,000 acres already in the state forest will be transferred to
the university as discussed. Turning to an area near Delta
Junction, she highlighted parcels south of the Tanana River and
adjacent to existing forest on the north side. She said these
are upland forests, not floodplain sites, and are good,
productive commercial forest lands proposed for addition. There
is active harvesting for local mills in this area.
MS. FREEMAN noted the southeastern part of the forest has four
parcels, shown in yellow, proposed for deletion. The three
southernmost are wetland areas, not good commercial forest land.
The fourth, the most northern, DNR considers a drafting error
from 1983 - the easternmost township has high elevation and
lacks productive forest land that the western township has. So
the intention is to flip those, to correct that error.
MS. FREEMAN drew attention to several smaller parcels proposed
for addition in the area from Tok to Tanacross. She said these
are mostly upland forest, typically isolated in between Native
ownership and state ownership. They'll be added to the state
forest both for their forest potential and to consolidate
management of state land in that area.
11:23:09 AM
MS. FREEMAN turned to the Tok area, saying a fairly large block
of land there has commercial forest potential. This is fairly
accessible upland forest, and there is demand for local forest
products in that area. Thus DNR is asking that to be added to
match the purposes of the state forest.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked where the land being deleted, shown in
yellow, will go and who controls it.
MS. FREEMAN answered it would be managed by DNR as public-domain
land. This whole area is subject to the Tanana Basin Area Plan,
and these lands would be managed consistent with parcels around
them. Typically, they'd be managed for a combination of habitat
and wildlife recreation. They tend to be fairly remote, without
much potential for commercial activity, although typically
they'd be open to mining, oil and gas activities, and so on.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked: If it's being managed by DNR, why does it
matter whether it's in a forest?
MS. FREEMAN responded that, first, forestry is long term. As
for meriting long-term investment in the resources - forest
roads, reforestation, and so on - it is good to have some
certainty that the land will remain in public ownership. Just
in the few years since these additions were proposed, 5,000
acres of the original proposal have gone into other uses.
Second, regarding management authority, the Division of Forestry
is the lead on areas in the state forest, whereas the Division
of Mining, Land and Water is the lead on the areas outside;
while they work closely together, it allows consistent
management for long-term timber production and other uses. Also,
DNR tends to do more investment in state forest lands,
particularly with respect to access.
MS. FREEMAN, in further response, said some non-timber forest
products come out of that area. For instance, people collect
mushrooms and birch bark for commercial purposes. There aren't
a lot of mining claims in the state forest, although there has
been a benefit because the road to the Pogo Mine provides access
to both mining and forest resources.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether the land status change will affect
those activities.
MS. FREEMAN answered no. The only controls on mineral entry are
in the experimental forest. And there are some small research
natural areas open to mining, but this requires getting a lease
first because there also is research going on. She added that a
quarter section of land near Volkmar Lake, part of the Volkmar
Bluffs Research Natural Area, is primarily a prairie ecosystem,
largely grasses; this was identified because it is an unusual
ecosystem and of research interest, particularly in the face of
climate change as things get drier and warmer. All of that,
except for one quarter section, is already in the state forest;
DNR is just asking that the section outside the state forest be
added so it can be managed as a consolidated parcel.
11:27:54 AM
CHAIR HUGGINS inquired about experimental forests.
MS. FREEMAN replied there are two types: research natural areas
and experimental forests. The former typically are managed for
research on natural ecosystems without a lot of manipulation.
For experimental forests, DNR does active applied management.
She indicated one area is probably the only boreal forest in the
U.S. set aside for long-term ecological research; some studies
have been going on 25 years. It has the full range of forest
types, including floodplain forests with cottonwoods, black
spruce forests on the north sides of hills, and productive
upland forests. She also indicated an area that is actively
managed, where applied research is done. As for camping, she
said state forests, including experimental forests, are
generally open to recreational uses. She surmised there could
be areas closed for specific research sites, however.
MS. FREEMAN, in response to Senator Stevens, showed another map,
noting the main area of university lands to be transferred in
2055 is on Nenana Ridge; she mentioned Bonanza Creek
Experimental Forest and an oval-shaped parcel. She said other
land in the Tok area was transferred to the university at the
time of the settlement. Showing a larger-scale map, she
highlighted Nenana Ridge, saying most of the land in the
settlement is already in the TVSF there; about 6,000 acres would
be added through this proposal.
SENATOR STEVENS asked: When the transfer takes place in 2055,
will the TVSF have any connection or retain any
responsibilities?
MS. FREEMAN answered that under the legislation, it is to be
managed consistent with the management plan for the TVSF. She
indicated DNR is instructed to work cooperatively, saying a
meeting is scheduled for next month between the university and
the division to start looking at long-term management planning
for this whole area.
SENATOR WAGONER asked whether the Fairbanks North Star Borough
has selected all its lands yet.
MS. FREEMAN offered to find out. Such selections are limited by
the land classifications, she noted. The forestry
classification is one that isn't available for selection, and
these lands are mostly all classified for forestry.
11:31:34 AM
CHRIS MAISCH, Director and State Forester, Division of Forestry,
Department of Natural Resources, stated support for SB 229 and
concurred with Ms. Freeman's testimony. Noting he'd looked at
the forest management plan, he affirmed that tent camping is
allowed in the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest along with
other recreational activities. He said the only prohibition is
the development of hard physical campsites there.
MR. MAISCH also pointed out that the division has been deeply
involved in alternative energy projects, particularly biomass
projects using wood for heating and, potentially, electrical
generation; 83 feasibility studies have been done with a wood
energy taskforce involving communities throughout Alaska, many
in Interior communities near state forests. One sensitive
feature is the distance to a sustainable wood source.
Designating state lands as state forests provides some assurance
to potential investors in such facilities. He noted a project
might be a school in Tok, Delta Junction, or Glennallen.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether Mr. Maisch actively works in that
area and has been there in the last six months.
MR. MAISCH affirmed that, saying he is based out of Fairbanks
and has had a 23-year career in the Interior, working for the
Tanana Chiefs Conference many years before working for the
state; he is familiar with all portions of the state forest. In
further response, Mr. Maisch said he hadn't heard any local
concerns expressed. He was involved in the original planning
process for this, on the citizens' advisory council and
participating in perhaps 100 meetings in communities as the plan
was updated. He said it was vetted aggressively at that time,
and there was wide support.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether there is anything citizens might not
be aware of, but could have concerns about.
MR. MAISCH replied the issues were addressed that had been
raised, and he couldn't think of others. Some sensitive issues
about the Goodpasture River area had been dealt with already, in
the planning process. One research natural area is in that
watershed; that was vetted publicly, he said, and otherwise
there are no changes in that watershed.
11:35:44 AM
DAVID JAMES, Interior Regional Supervisor, Division of Wildlife
Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G),
indicated DNR's Division of Forestry had coordinated with ADF&G
closely, allowing him to solicit input from several staff
members about the Minto Flats State Game Refuge. He said ADF&G
had identified no known negative effects. He conveyed the
belief that this could provide additional access to the wetlands
portion of the refuge via forestry roads, although a regulation
takes care of that; also, many post-logging practices can
benefit wildlife. Overall, he said, there were no concerns
about negative impacts on wildlife or the purposes for which the
refuge was established by the legislature.
MR. JAMES, in response to Chair Huggins, explained that
AS 16.20.037 says the Minto Flats State Game Refuge was
established to ensure the protection and enhancement of habitat;
to ensure conservation of fish and wildlife; and to guarantee
the continuation of hunting, fishing, trapping, and other uses
by the public compatible with the protection and enhancement of
habitat and the conservation of fish and wildlife.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether that has been successful from
ADF&G's perspective.
MR. JAMES replied yes, in his opinion.
11:38:31 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report SB 229 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. There
being no objection, SB 229 was moved from the Senate Resources
Standing Committee.
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