Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124

04/07/2017 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
-- Delayed to 30 Minutes Following Session --
+= HB 130 GAME REFUGE/CRIT HABITAT AREA BOUNDARIES TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 130 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony --
+= HB 177 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
               HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                             
                         April 7, 2017                                                                                          
                           2:04 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Andy Josephson, Co-Chair                                                                                         
Representative Geran Tarr, Co-Chair                                                                                             
Representative Dean Westlake, Vice Chair                                                                                        
Representative Harriet Drummond                                                                                                 
Representative Justin Parish                                                                                                    
Representative Chris Birch                                                                                                      
Representative DeLena Johnson                                                                                                   
Representative George Rauscher                                                                                                  
Representative David Talerico                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Mike Chenault (alternate)                                                                                        
Representative Chris Tuck (alternate)                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 130                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to the  Izembek State Game Refuge, Cape Newenham                                                               
State  Game Refuge,  Palmer  Hay Flats  State  Game Refuge,  Port                                                               
Moller  Critical  Habitat  Area, Egegik  Critical  Habitat  Area,                                                               
Pilot  Point  Critical Habitat  Area,  Fox  River Flats  Critical                                                               
Habitat Area, Kachemak Bay Critical  Habitat Area, and Dude Creek                                                               
Critical Habitat Area; and providing for an effective date."                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HB 130 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 177                                                                                                              
"An  Act relating  to the  response to,  and control  of, aquatic                                                               
invasive  species;  establishing  the  aquatic  invasive  species                                                               
response  fund;  and relating  to  the  provision of  information                                                               
about  aquatic invasive  species to  users of  the Alaska  marine                                                               
highway system."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 130                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: GAME REFUGE/CRIT HABITAT AREA BOUNDARIES                                                                           
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
02/15/17       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/15/17       (H)       RES                                                                                                    
04/05/17       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/05/17       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/05/17       (H)       MINUTE(RES)                                                                                            
04/07/17       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 177                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES                                                                                           
SPONSOR(s): TARR                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
03/14/17       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/14/17       (H)       RES, FIN                                                                                               
04/05/17       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/05/17       (H)       Scheduled but Not Heard                                                                                
04/07/17       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MORGAN FOSS, Legislative Liaison                                                                                                
Office of the Commissioner                                                                                                      
Alaska Department of Fish & Game                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered a question during the hearing of                                                                
HB 130.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
PAUL GRONHOLDT, Member, Aleutians East Borough Assembly                                                                         
Aleutians East Borough                                                                                                          
Sand Point, Alaska                                                                                                              
POSITION STATEMENT:  Representing the Aleutians East Borough,                                                                 
testified in support of HB 130.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CELESTE NOVAK, Staff                                                                                                            
Representative Geran Tarr                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Introduced HB 177 on behalf of                                                                           
Representative Tarr, sponsor.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
WALT WREDE, Member                                                                                                              
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council                                                                        
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Speaking on behalf of the Prince William                                                                 
Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council, testified in favor of                                                                
HB 177.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
LISA EVANS, Assistant Director                                                                                                  
Division of Sport Fish                                                                                                          
Alaska Department of Fish & Game                                                                                                
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Answered a  question during the  hearing of                                                             
HB 177.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
TOM BROOKOVER, Director                                                                                                         
Division of Sport Fish                                                                                                          
Alaska Department of Fish & Game                                                                                                
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions  during the hearing of HB
177.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ROB CARTER, Manager, Plant Materials Center                                                                                     
Division of Agriculture                                                                                                         
Department of Natural Resources                                                                                                 
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions  during the hearing of HB
177.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MICHAEL NEUSSL, Deputy Commissioner                                                                                             
Office of the Commissioner                                                                                                      
Alaska Marine Highway System                                                                                                    
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions  during the hearing of HB
177.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
DAVID MARTIN, Commercial Fisher                                                                                                 
Clam Gulch, Alaska                                                                                                              
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 177.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
ROBERT ARCHIBALD                                                                                                                
Kachemak Bay, Alaska                                                                                                            
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 177.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:04:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  ANDY  JOSEPHSON  called the  House  Resources  Standing                                                             
Committee  meeting  to  order  at   2:04  p.m.    Representatives                                                               
Josephson,  Rauscher, Johnson,  Westlake, Parish,  and Tarr  were                                                               
present at the  call to order.   Representatives Drummond, Birch,                                                               
and Talerico arrived as the meeting was in progress.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
        HB 130-GAME REFUGE/CRIT HABITAT AREA BOUNDARIES                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:04:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  JOSEPHSON announced  that the  first order  of business                                                               
would be  HOUSE BILL  NO. 130,  "An Act  relating to  the Izembek                                                               
State Game  Refuge, Cape Newenham  State Game Refuge,  Palmer Hay                                                               
Flats  State  Game Refuge,  Port  Moller  Critical Habitat  Area,                                                               
Egegik Critical Habitat Area, Pilot  Point Critical Habitat Area,                                                               
Fox  River Flats  Critical Habitat  Area,  Kachemak Bay  Critical                                                               
Habitat  Area,   and  Dude  Creek  Critical   Habitat  Area;  and                                                               
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:05:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MORGAN  FOSS, Legislative  Liaison, Office  of the  Commissioner,                                                               
Alaska  Department  of  Fish  & Game,  in  response  to  Co-Chair                                                               
Josephson, provided  additional information  on how HB  130 would                                                               
affect the Dude Creek Critical  Habitat Area (CHA).  She informed                                                               
the committee  the Dude Creek  CHA was  created in 1988,  and the                                                               
land between  Dude Creek  and tidelands  was purchased  by Nature                                                               
Conservancy  in 2004  and transferred  to  the state.   The  bill                                                               
would include  said portion  of the land  into the  existing CHA,                                                               
and  the  Alaska  Department  of  Fish &  Game  (ADFG)  would  be                                                               
responsible for developing a management  plan for the entirety of                                                               
the CHA.   In further response to Co-Chair  Josephson, she agreed                                                               
the bill would be an expansion of the Dude Creek CHA.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:07:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON opened public testimony.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:07:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PAUL   GRONHOLDT,  Member,   Aleutians  East   Borough  Assembly,                                                               
Aleutians East  Borough, speaking  as a  member of  the Aleutians                                                               
East  Borough Assembly,  expressed the  Aleutians East  Borough's                                                               
strong  support of  HB 130,  which  would correct  errors in  the                                                               
boundaries  of two  parcels  of land  within  the Aleutians  East                                                               
Borough.  He  directed attention to a letter of  support from the                                                               
Aleutians East Borough dated 2/21/17,  and found in the committee                                                               
packet.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:08:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON,  after ascertaining  that no one  else wished                                                               
to testify, closed public testimony.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:09:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR moved  to  report  HB 130  out  of committee  with                                                               
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:09:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:09 p.m. to 2:11 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:11:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR  restated the  motion  to  report  HB 130  out  of                                                               
committee  with individual  recommendations and  the accompanying                                                               
fiscal  notes.   There being  no objection,  HB 130  was reported                                                               
from the House Resources Standing Committee.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:12:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:12 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
[CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON turned the gavel over to Co-Chair Tarr.]                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                HB 177-AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:15:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR  announced that the  final order of  business would                                                               
be HOUSE BILL  NO. 177, "An Act relating to  the response to, and                                                               
control of,  aquatic invasive  species; establishing  the aquatic                                                               
invasive species response fund; and  relating to the provision of                                                               
information  about  aquatic  invasive  species to  users  of  the                                                               
Alaska marine highway system."                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:16:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CELESTE  NOVAK, Staff,  Representative Geran  Tarr, Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature, introduced HB 177 on  behalf of Representative Tarr,                                                               
sponsor.    Ms. Novak  informed  the  committee aquatic  invasive                                                               
species  (AIS)  are  marine or  freshwater  organisms  that  when                                                               
introduced to new habitats  negatively affect aquatic ecosystems,                                                               
as well  as human use  of affected natural resources.   Nonnative                                                               
species  impact  the  environment  and  the  diversity  of  life,                                                               
affecting  habitats   and  hindering  economic   development  and                                                               
recreational activities.   In Alaska, fisheries  are an important                                                               
economic  engine; however,  AIS could  affect the  ecosystems and                                                               
the  productive fisheries  in Alaska.   Although  Alaska's marine                                                               
environment remains  relatively pristine,  AIS present  in Alaska                                                               
include  northern   pike,  reed  canarygrass,   orange  hawkweed,                                                               
Pacific  chorus frogs,  wasps,  Atlantic  salmon, European  green                                                               
crab,  Didemnum vexillumis  (Dvex) -  also known  as Sea  Vomit -                                                               
elodea, crayfish, and  rats.  House Bill 177  would establish the                                                               
AIS  response  fund  and  direct   that  related  information  is                                                               
provided to  certain users  of the  Alaska Marine  Highway System                                                               
(AMHS).   Ms. Novak said  the bill  would:  provide  direction to                                                               
prioritize  invasive  species   actions  over  other  activities;                                                               
authorize the  use of tools,  including chemical  and biological;                                                               
direct  coordination  among   state  departments;  include  hold-                                                               
harmless  language;  provide  notice;   relate  to  responses  on                                                               
affected  private  property; create  a  response  fund; create  a                                                               
pamphlet  to  be  distributed  by AMHS.    She  displayed  sample                                                               
pamphlets that  encourage boaters to  stop the spread  of aquatic                                                               
invaders.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:20:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PARISH asked  for  the cost  and  success of  the                                                               
efforts in Sitka to contain Dvex.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MS.  NOVAK said  Sitka  was the  first area  to  warrant a  rapid                                                               
response  [to  suppress an  AIS  threat],  which cost  the  state                                                               
approximately $500,000.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR confirmed $500,000  was appropriated in the capital                                                               
budget to contain the aforementioned infestation.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:22:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
WALT  WREDE,  Member,  Prince William  Sound  Regional  Citizens'                                                               
Advisory Council (Prince William  Sound RCAC), speaking on behalf                                                               
of the Prince William Sound  RCAC, directed attention to a letter                                                               
dated 4/6  from the Prince William  Sound RCAC in support  of the                                                               
bill [document  not provided].   He  informed the  committee that                                                               
the  Prince William  Sound  RCAC has  been  working closely  with                                                               
industry,  regulators,  scientists,  and  interested  parties  to                                                               
monitor the  introduction of invasive  species and to  manage the                                                               
threat thereof,  with particular focus  on marine AIS  that enter                                                               
Prince  William Sound  through oil  tanker  ballast exchange  and                                                               
hull  fouling,  such   as  European  green  crab,   that  can  do                                                               
tremendous harm  to the environment  and to native species.   The                                                               
residents of the Prince William  Sound region depend on an intact                                                               
ecosystem for a healthy fishing  industry that supports thousands                                                               
of jobs,  and for  a cultural subsistence  lifestyle that  can be                                                               
destroyed by  AIS.  House Bill  177 is strongly supported  by the                                                               
Prince  William Sound  RCAC  because the  bill  contains a  rapid                                                               
response  plan to  quickly address  threats;  in fact,  it is  of                                                               
great benefit  to the state  to possess  organizational structure                                                               
and procedures for response.  Mr.  Wrede stated it is cheaper and                                                               
more  effective to  respond  rapidly, rather  than  delay and  be                                                               
forced to  launch recovery and  restoration plans, or  to provide                                                               
disaster  assistance  to communities  and  businesses.   A  rapid                                                               
response plan can  protect our economy, the  environment, and the                                                               
lifestyles of  Alaskans.   He restated  the Prince  William Sound                                                               
RCAC  strongly supports  HB 177  and offered  to provide  further                                                               
information.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR asked  whether AIS  besides green  crab have  been                                                               
found in the Prince William Sound area.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WREDE said  monitoring  has shown  Prince  William Sound  is                                                               
"overall in,  in pretty  good shape," with  the exception  of the                                                               
green crab and smaller organisms.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:26:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LISA EVANS,  Assistant Director,  Division of Sport  Fish, Alaska                                                               
Department of Fish  & Game (ADFG), in  response to Representative                                                               
Parish, explained  if there were  another outbreak of  Dvex, ADFG                                                               
would use  the protocols  underway in  Whiting Harbor,  Sitka, if                                                               
appropriate.   In Sitka, ADFG has  one more year to  determine if                                                               
the protocols are effective in  eradicating Dvex; ADFG would look                                                               
at a new outbreak on a case-by-case basis.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH asked for the  cost of the response [to the                                                               
Dvex outbreak] in Sitka.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. EVANS expressed her belief  that an appropriation of $500,000                                                               
is correct;  in addition, ADFG  has submitted a  proposal through                                                               
the  [Department  of  Systematic  Biology,  Smithsonian  National                                                               
Museum  of  Natural History],  for  additional  grant funding  to                                                               
complete  the  field work  in  Sitka.    She offered  to  provide                                                               
further information.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH was also interested  in knowing the cost to                                                               
the state to respond to outbreaks elsewhere.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked  for the status of  the eradication of                                                               
northern pike.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:30:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TOM  BROOKOVER,   Director,  Division   of  Sport   Fish,  Alaska                                                               
Department  of  Fish &  Game,  informed  the committee  ADFG  has                                                               
conducted a long-term pike suppression  and eradication effort in                                                               
Southcentral.   For example, a  suppression project  in Alexander                                                               
Creek has continued for over 5  years and has removed over 18,000                                                               
pike; signs  of success are  the declining catch numbers  of pike                                                               
and the positive  signs for Chinook salmon  throughout the creek.                                                               
A  weir  counted almost  2,000  Chinook  returning to  the  creek                                                               
system last  year.   He said  the goal is  to run  a maintenance-                                                               
level  program that  will keep  the  pike population  suppressed.                                                               
The department has  eradicated pike and planted  hatchery fish in                                                               
a number of lakes, including  Cheney Lake in Anchorage, and lakes                                                               
in  the  Kenai  Peninsula.    Recently,  ADFG  has  started  pike                                                               
eradication in open  water systems such as Soldotna  Creek in the                                                               
Kenai  River   drainage;  although  open  water   systems  are  a                                                               
challenge there  are positive  signs of  success.   Mr. Brookover                                                               
said the division's next objective  is to expand pike suppression                                                               
into  the  Matanuska-Susitna  Valley   in  Cottonwood  Creek  and                                                               
wherever pike are  found, and added, "From then  on we're looking                                                               
at continuing  pike work  primarily in  the valley,  as Anchorage                                                               
and the  Kenai now have,  have been taken  care of, for  the most                                                               
part."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON  questioned how ADFG distinguishes  "good pike                                                               
from bad pike."                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BROOKOVER  explained  ADFG   targets  pike  suppression  and                                                               
eradication efforts  towards places  where pike do  not naturally                                                               
occur; generally, pike are native  in drainage systems north, but                                                               
not south, of the Alaska Range.   In further response to Co-Chair                                                               
Josephson,  he said  ADFG  is confident  that  its [chemical  and                                                               
biological]  methodology  is  completely  safe  for  humans,  but                                                               
harmful to  fish.  Further,  in open water systems  where rainbow                                                               
trout,  Dolly Varden,  and other  species are  present, prior  to                                                               
treatment,    species    other    than   pike    are    captured,                                                               
compartmentalized in another part of  the system, and returned to                                                               
the system after treatment.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PARISH  asked  whether  [federal  Dingell-Johnson                                                               
Sport Fish Restoration Funds] are used for suppression efforts.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BROOKOVER  expressed  his belief  that  federal  restoration                                                               
funds  and  general funds  (GF)  were  used on  Alexander  Creek,                                                               
combined  with other  sources.   He  offered  to provide  further                                                               
information.   In further response  to Representative  Parish, he                                                               
said  whether  the pike  are  native,  or migrating,  is  largely                                                               
unknown; however,  there are reports of  people transporting pike                                                               
-  decades  ago  -  which   explains  the  presence  of  pike  in                                                               
landlocked systems.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PARISH then  asked  for the  approximate cost  of                                                               
exterminating  pike  populations  in  areas  where  they  do  not                                                               
naturally occur.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. BROOKOVER  said the  cost would vary  from system  to system.                                                               
For example,  the cost  of the Alexander  Creek project  may have                                                               
exceeded one million dollars.   However, single landlocked lakes,                                                               
such as Cheney Lake, could  cost less than one hundred [thousand]                                                               
dollars.    In  further  response to  Representative  Parish,  he                                                               
explained  the  criteria  to eradicate  a  pike  population  are:                                                               
whether the  population is native; whether  the population causes                                                               
economic  or environmental  harm; whether  the population  causes                                                               
harm to  human health; the feasibility  of [eradication] success;                                                               
the potential benefit of other uses of the resource.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:40:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR gave  an example  of a  fishing lodge  that closed                                                               
because northern  pike overwhelmed Chinook salmon,  and asked for                                                               
similar examples  of economic costs  associated with the  loss of                                                               
businesses.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. BROOKOVER said he was not aware of any.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND referred to  a newspaper report regarding                                                               
elodea in  Anchorage lakes  within the  Anchorage Soil  and Water                                                               
Conservation District.   She asked whether  ADFG has jurisdiction                                                               
to work to  control elodea in local lakes, and  "if the situation                                                               
has improved since 2013."                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. BROOKOVER  said ADFG has  jurisdiction for fish  in Anchorage                                                               
lakes, including  invasive fish species and  marine plants; fresh                                                               
water aquatic  plants and species, including  elodea, are managed                                                               
by  the Department  of Natural  Resources (DNR).   At  Lake Hood,                                                               
both  departments assigned  staff  to prep  and  treat the  lake.                                                               
Also,  there  is a  statewide  invasive  species coordinator  who                                                               
works  with  ADFG,  DNR,  and  the  Department  of  Environmental                                                               
Conservation (DEC).  The coordinator  addresses logistics and the                                                               
implementation of  field projects.   Mr.  Brookover said  he does                                                               
not know the current status of elodea in Lake Hood.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:44:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROB  CARTER,   Manager,  Plant  Materials  Center,   Division  of                                                               
Agriculture, Department of Natural  Resources, confirmed that DNR                                                               
and  ADFG share  management of  freshwater aquatic  plants within                                                               
the state.   In  fact, the invasive  species coordinator  for the                                                               
Division  of  Agriculture  worked  with   ADFG  and  DEC  on  the                                                               
permitting process for  the treatment of Lake  Hood, during which                                                               
202 surface acres were treated in  2015 and 2016.  The Department                                                               
of Transportation  & Public  Facilities (DOTPF)  is also  part of                                                               
the management  of Lake Hood in  its function as an  airport.  In                                                               
2016, no elodea  was found in the lake, and  the water and plants                                                               
continue  to  be monitored.    Other  Anchorage lakes  that  were                                                               
treated in 2015  and 2016 are DeLong Lake,  Little Campbell Lake,                                                               
and Sand Lake - a total acreage  of 105 surface acres - through a                                                               
partnership with  U.S. Fish and  Wildlife Service,  Department of                                                               
the Interior,  as well.   Mr. Carter informed the  committee that                                                               
elodea was recently found in Potter Marsh.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR observed that elodea  is commonly used in aquariums                                                               
and the infestation is a  result of residents dumping elodea into                                                               
freshwater lakes.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. CARTER advised the cause  is not definitively known; however,                                                               
many believe  the sources  are grade  school science  classes and                                                               
goldfish  aquariums.   After the  local lakes  were contaminated,                                                               
elodea was  spread to  outlying areas  by floatplanes  and boats.                                                               
Mr.  Carter noted  his division  compiled a  listing of  invasive                                                               
species  deemed   to  impact   the  state's   economics,  natural                                                               
resources, and agricultural industry  such as such Canada thistle                                                               
in Anchorage DOTPF  rights-of-way.  Returning to  elodea, he said                                                               
in  2015  elodea  was  identified  in  Alexander  Lake,  and  the                                                               
affected area grew  from 10 acres to 475 acres  within a two-year                                                               
period.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PARISH   asked  which  department   would  manage                                                               
tunicates and planktonics.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. CARTER said ADFG.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:50:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MICHAEL  NEUSSL,  Deputy   Commissioner,  Alaska  Marine  Highway                                                               
System,  Department   of  Transportation  &   Public  Facilities,                                                               
addressing the impact on the  Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS)                                                               
of distributing  pamphlets as  directed by  HB 177,  stated there                                                               
are  two  ports   that  import  vessels  into   Alaska  on  AMHS:                                                               
Bellingham,  Washington  and  Prince  Rupert,  British  Columbia,                                                               
Canada.    The Alaska  Marine  Highway  System carries  boats  on                                                               
trailers  and a  variety of  other watercraft.   Mr.  Neussl said                                                               
AMHS could  distribute the pamphlets  when passengers  with boats                                                               
check-in and  present their tickets.    He assumed  the pamphlets                                                               
would be provided to AMHS, thus  DOTPF has attached a zero fiscal                                                               
note to the bill.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR inquired  as to the possibility  of AIS transported                                                               
on AMHS by personal watercraft.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.  NEUSSL  acknowledged  that   trapped  water,  trapped  plant                                                               
materials, seeds,  and mud  are easily transported  on a  boat or                                                               
trailer in the same manner as in ballast water on oil tankers.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND  expressed her  concern about  the simple                                                               
presentation  of  a pamphlet  to  passengers  boarding AMHS  with                                                               
watercraft, without an inspection of the watercraft.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. NEUSSL  pointed out  HB 177, as  proposed, requires  DOTPF to                                                               
distribute  pamphlets.    Department contract  employees  at  the                                                               
Bellingham and Prince Rupert terminals  are not AIS inspectors or                                                               
enforcement   officers,   but   distributing   a   pamphlet   and                                                               
information  would  conform  with  their  responsibilities.    He                                                               
observed that providing  information regarding AIS at  the time a                                                               
passenger is  boarding with  a boat  and or  trailer "might  be a                                                               
little too late in the  process," and suggested that AIS policies                                                               
and information could be published on  the AMHS web site so those                                                               
booking a reservation could see the policy beforehand.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  DRUMMOND opined  it  would be  more proactive  to                                                               
require watercraft to be cleaned prior to boarding AMHS.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  NEUSSL expressed  his belief  the enforcement  of watercraft                                                               
cleaning  would not  be within  the  job description  of a  ferry                                                               
terminal agent.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND  restated her concern about  vessels from                                                               
the  Lower 48  transporting nonnative  species on  AMHS, and  the                                                               
futility of distributing pamphlets.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR stressed  HB 177  is an  "initial step  that would                                                               
begin  a process  of  educating people  about  the potential  for                                                               
harm."  She  acknowledged there is a lack  of sufficient staffing                                                               
to  require inspections,  and returned  attention to  examples of                                                               
pamphlets that  illustrate potential problem areas,  and how boat                                                               
owners  should clean  watercraft  in the  proper  way to  prevent                                                               
further infestation.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:56:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  DRUMMOND  inquired  as  to  whether  a  passenger                                                               
reserving  space for  a  towed vehicle  is  required to  describe                                                               
his/her trailer at the time reservations are made.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. NEUSSL responded  that at this time AMHS  reservations do not                                                               
require a  passenger to disclose  that they have a  boat trailer.                                                               
He pointed out  some watercraft - such as kayaks  - are not towed                                                               
but may be strapped on the roof  of a vehicle.  However, AMHS has                                                               
the authority to  deny boarding if a vehicle is  leaking oil, for                                                               
example.   In fact,  a vessel  or trailer covered  in mud  and an                                                               
obvious  threat to  the  AMHS discharge  stream  would likely  be                                                               
rejected at the terminal.   In further response to Representative                                                               
Drummond, he  agreed that travelers  making a reservation  may be                                                               
warned to  wash his/her boat  and trailer, but some  parties just                                                               
show up and buy a ticket at the time of sailing.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  BIRCH  asked for  an  update  on the  suppression                                                               
efforts underway in Lake Hood and Spenard.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. NEUSSL  said information on  aviation would be  provided from                                                               
John Binder, Deputy Commissioner, DOTPF.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PARISH  supported the  intent  of  the bill,  and                                                               
noted the lack  of a funding mechanism.  He  asked for the number                                                               
of boats entering the state on AMHS and by other means.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. NEUSSL said  AMHS does not have an exact  count; AMHS traffic                                                               
reports  reveal  how  many  vehicles  are  coming  north  out  of                                                               
Bellingham and  Prince Rupert  and how many  of those  are towing                                                               
trailers.  Information  could be provided from  other sources for                                                               
the routes  into the  state such  as barge lines  and roads.   He                                                               
said  he would  provide a  reasonable estimate  of the  number of                                                               
vessels traveling north on AMHS.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR stated  her specific  concern about  zebra mussels                                                               
being transported to Alaska from the Columbia River basin.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:02:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR opened public testimony.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:02:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DAVID MARTIN,  Commercial Fisher,  informed the committee  he has                                                               
been  a  commercial  fisher  in  Cook Inlet  for  45  years,  and                                                               
currently serves  on the  board of directors  for the  Cook Inlet                                                               
Aquaculture Association.   Speaking  in his  own behalf,  he said                                                               
the  Cook  Inlet Aquaculture  Association  has  been involved  in                                                               
"northern pike work" in the  Matanuska-Susitna Valley and in "the                                                               
elodea program."   Mr.  Martin expressed his  support of  HB 177;                                                               
however, the  bill does not  have permits  and funds in  place to                                                               
react immediately  [to AIS] in  a manner  similar to that  of oil                                                               
spill response  legislation.   For example, in  2014, 5  acres of                                                               
elodea were  discovered in Alexander  Lake, and by fall  of 2016,                                                               
elodea had  spread to 500  acres.   He estimated that  $15,000 to                                                               
$20,000 would have  been sufficient to eradicate  elodea from the                                                               
original  5  acres,  but  as DNR  must  reapprove  the  herbicide                                                               
treatment  for every  outbreak,  response was  delayed for  18-24                                                               
months,  and now  eradication will  cost approximately  $250,000.                                                               
For  certain   lakes  in  the  Kenai   Peninsula,  northern  pike                                                               
treatment  was  delayed  15  years,  and  in  the  Susitna  River                                                               
drainage the  presence of invasive  northern pike has  been known                                                               
since the '60s,  but they were allowed to spread.   Northern pike                                                               
are now  known to be present  in over 135 [river]  systems in the                                                               
Susitna  River drainage,  resulting in  a 25-30  percent loss  of                                                               
salmon and  trout production; in  fact, at least 8  river systems                                                               
have  no species  except northern  pike.   Mr. Martin  said rapid                                                               
response prevents  the spread of  AIS, saves money,  and protects                                                               
the  natural  flora  and  fauna.    He  opined  elodea  could  be                                                               
eradicated statewide at  a cost of $4,000,000  to $5,000,000, but                                                               
delay will  increase the  cost.  He  provided another  example of                                                               
the effect of northern pike on  Shell Lake.  Mr. Martin urged the                                                               
committee to move HB 177, and "put some funding into it also."                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR agreed a funding source is needed.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARTIN restated  his support  for  legislation that  enables                                                               
rapid response.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:07:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROBERT ARCHIBALD stated  he serves on the board  of directors for                                                               
the Prince William Sound Regional  Citizens' Advisory Council, is                                                               
a  member  of "several  boards  here  in  Kachemak Bay",  and  is                                                               
speaking on his  own behalf.  Mr. Archibald noted  he has over 40                                                               
years of experience as a  marine engineer and warned that ballast                                                               
water treatment systems on ships  are insufficient to prevent the                                                               
introduction  of  AIS.    He  opined HB  177  would  address  the                                                               
infestation  of AIS  and  of hawkweed  in the  Homer  area.   Mr.                                                               
Archibald urged the committee to move HB 177.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR  added  public education  on  invasive  plants  is                                                               
needed so residents are "not putting them in their gardens."                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   BIRCH   asked   how  ballast   water   treatment                                                               
facilities work on some ships.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. ARCHIBALD explained currently the  U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is                                                               
approving  ballast water  treatment  systems.   The systems  work                                                               
either through filtration chlorination  or ultraviolet light that                                                               
kills  organisms.    He  said   USCG  requires  much  more  rigid                                                               
specifications  on   said  units  than  does   the  International                                                               
Maritime  Organization  (IMO),  and  there  is  pending  national                                                               
legislation on ballast water issues.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
[HB 177 was held over.]                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:11:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:11 p.m.                                                                 

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB177 Supporting Document - Prince William Sound RCAC 4.7.17.pdf HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 Supporting Document - Pictures and Pamphlet Examples 4.6.17.pdf HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB130 Supporting Document - FARsupport 4.7.17.pdf HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB 130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Additional Information - Gustavus City Council Resolution.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 ADFG Hearing Request Letter 2.21.2017.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Additional Documentation - Special Areas boundary change maps 2.18.2017.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Fiscal Note DFG-HAB 1.20.17.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Fiscal Note DFG-WC 1.24.17.PDF HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Sectional Analysis ver A 2.17.17.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Sponsor Statement 2.14.17.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Aleutians East Borough.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Friends of Glacier Bay.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 ver A 2.15.17.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Alaska Waterfowl Association.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Kachemak Bay Conservation Society.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - Kachemak Bay Water Trail.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB130 Supporting Document - Letter of Support - The Nature Conservancy.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB 177 Support Ltr.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 fiscal note DNR.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 fiscal note DOT.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 fiscal note DFG.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 Sponsor Statement 3.28.17.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 Supporting Document-Article Juneau Empire 3.29.17.PDF HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 Supporting Document-Article NOAA 3.29.17.PDF HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 Supporting Document-Article Peninsula Clarion 3.29.17.PDF HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 Supporting Document-Support Letters 3.29.17.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB177 Supporting Document-Support Letters 3.29.17.pdf HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB177-Supporting Document-Article ADN 3.29.17.PDF HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB0177 ver A 3.28.17.pdf HRES 4/5/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/10/2017 1:00:00 PM
HRES 4/12/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 177
HB 130 Letter - Aleutians East.pdf HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130
HB 130 Supporting document - map.pdf HRES 4/7/2017 1:00:00 PM
HB 130