Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/24/1999 01:02 PM House RES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 24, 1999
1:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Scott Ogan, Co-Chair
Representative Jerry Sanders, Co-Chair
Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair
Representative John Harris
Representative Ramona Barnes
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mary Kapsner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Carl Morgan
Representative Jim Whitaker
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11
Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the
coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, to
oil and gas exploration, development, and production.
- MOVED HJR 11 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 12
"An Act classifying anadromous streams and tributaries; relating to
the designation of riparian areas; establishing buffers on certain
streams and relating to slope stability standards on certain
streams; and requiring retention of low value timber along certain
water bodies where prudent."
- MOVED SB 12 OUT OF COMMITTEE
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HJR 11
SHORT TITLE: ENDORSING ANWR LEASING
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) PHILLIPS, James, Harris, Whitaker,
Smalley
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
2/05/99 143 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
2/05/99 144 (H) OIL & GAS, RESOURCES
2/08/99 173 (H) COSPONSOR(S): WHITAKER
2/16/99 (H) O&G AT 10:00 AM CAPITOL 17
2/16/99 (H) MOVED CSHJR 11(O&G) OUT OF COMMITTEE
2/16/99 (H) MINUTE(O&G)
2/16/99 227 (H) COSPONSOR(S): SMALLEY
2/17/99 234 (H) O&G RPT CS(O&G) 5DP 1NR
2/17/99 234 (H) DP: WHITAKER, OGAN, PHILLIPS, BRICE,
2/17/99 234 (H) SMALLEY; NR: KEMPLEN
2/17/99 234 (H) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (H.O&G)
2/17/99 234 (H) REFERRED TO RES
2/24/99 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
BILL: SB 12
SHORT TITLE: FOREST PRACTICES: STREAMS/TRIBUTARIES
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) MACKIE, Taylor, Lincoln, Leman, Pearce,
Green, Elton
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
1/19/99 16 (S) PREFILE RELEASED - 1/8/99
1/19/99 16 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
1/19/99 16 (S) RES, FIN
1/29/99 (S) RES AT 3:00 PM BUTROVICH ROOM 205
2/01/99 (S) RES AT 3:00 PM BUTROVICH ROOM 205
2/01/99 (S) MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
2/01/99 (S) MINUTE(RES)
2/01/99 127 (S) COSPONSOR(S): TAYLOR
2/02/99 135 (S) RES RPT 6DP
2/02/99 135 (S) DP: HALFORD, LINCOLN, PARNELL, GREEN,
2/02/99 135 (S) PETE KELLY, MACKIE
2/02/99 135 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DNR)
2/10/99 217 (S) COSPONSOR(S): LINCOLN
2/11/99 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
2/11/99 (S) MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
2/11/99 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
2/11/99 227 (S) FIN RPT 6DP 2NR
2/11/99 227 (S) DP: TORGERSON, GREEN, PETE KELLY,
ADAMS,
2/11/99 227 (S) WILKEN, LEMAN; NR: PHILLIPS, DONLEY
2/11/99 227 (S) PREVIOUS ZERO FN (DNR)
2/16/99 (S) RLS AT 11:40 AM FAHRENKAMP RM 203
2/16/99 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
2/17/99 269 (S) RULES TO CALENDAR AND 1OR 2/17/99
2/17/99 271 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
2/17/99 271 (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
UNAN CONSENT
2/17/99 271 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 12
2/17/99 271 (S) COSPONSORS: LEMAN, PEARCE, GREEN,
ELTON
2/17/99 272 (S) PASSED Y20 N-
2/17/99 276 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
2/19/99 248 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
2/19/99 248 (H) RESOURCES
2/24/99 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 411
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-2689
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as sponsor of HJR 11; as sponsor
of similar legislation the previous year,
testified in support of SB 12.
SENATOR JERRY MACKIE
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 427
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-4925
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as sponsor of SB 12.
JEFF JAHNKE, Director
Division of Forestry
Department of Natural Resources (DNR);
and Presiding Officer, Board of Forestry
400 Willoughby, Third Floor
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1724
Telephone: (907) 465-3379
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 12, on behalf of
both the DNR and the Board of Forestry.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 99-10, SIDE A
Number 0001
CO-CHAIR SCOTT OGAN called the House Resources Standing Committee
meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Members present at the call to order
were Representatives Ogan, Sanders, Masek, Harris and Joule.
Representatives Barnes and Kapsner arrived at 1:07 p.m. and 1:16
p.m., respectively.
HJR 11 - ENDORSING ANWR LEASING
Number 0111
CO-CHAIR OGAN announced the first item of business would be House
Joint Resolution No. 11, urging the United States Congress to pass
legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, to oil and gas exploration, development,
and production. He noted that no one was signed up to testify,
then advised members of his intention to hold the resolution over
until after the Energy Council meetings in Washington, D.C.
Number 0179
REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor,
reminded members that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
resolution has been before this body for many years. She said it
is imperative that Alaska focus on opening ANWR and keep the
message before Congress. Noting that many new Congress members
aren't familiar with ANWR, she said seeing this resolution coming
from the state of Alaska, and the legislature of Alaska, is
critical to eventual success. It is the same as the past
resolutions, which have always had overwhelming support from all
segments of the state. She encouraged members' support.
Number 0260
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN HARRIS asked whether there was any reason to
have this pass before Alaskan legislators go to Washington, D.C.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS said no. She pointed out that the last
resolution is on file there.
Number 0314
REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY MASEK asked what other steps Representative
Phillips foresees taking in Washington, D.C.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS replied that Arctic Power, the Alaskan
organization that manages the ANWR campaign, has sent invitations
to the legislators who are going to the Energy Council, asking them
to contribute time while there to meet with some of the new
congressional offices; she believes they will do that. She
recounted how the one time the ANWR resolution had passed the House
of Representatives, she and others spent a whole summer on mission
trips, going to various states and meeting with various
congressional members, especially the new ones; that will continue.
Representative Phillips said one of the best things that the Alaska
legislature can do is to meet one-on-one with both new and
continuing Congress members, to reaffirm the Alaska State
Legislature's commitment and position on ANWR.
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK expressed full support for HJR 11 and the
mission of getting the message to those in the Lower 48.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS emphasized that this is not just on behalf
of Alaska. She noted that 25 percent of daily oil production in
the United States comes from the North Slope, and that figure will
grow as imports from other nations decline. She said it is
critical for the United States to take this into consideration.
Number 0545
REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE commented that he is really glad to see
this resolution move forward. One reason for passage of the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act was to allow communities to develop
resources. He pointed out the irony, stating, "Then we have the
same source, on the other hand, saying, 'But you can't do it.'" He
emphasized that those people who are most profoundly impacted are
very much in support of this resolution. For example, in Kaktovik,
where the lands selection are, the community cannot even begin to
do anything. There is frustration because they want to become more
economically viable, to provide jobs for their shareholders, to
enjoy some benefits of enterprise, and to be able to see this
develop. However, because of the attitude of the current
Administration, it is not going anywhere. Representative Joule
said he hopes the message of HJR 11 gets carried to Congress.
Number 0718
CO-CHAIR OGAN mentioned lobbying the new Congress members and said
he had been working with the director of Arctic Power, as well. He
suggested that nine legislators may not be enough to cover all the
Congress members, but that they would do their best.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS emphasized that when the current
Administration is no longer blocking the opening of ANWR, it will
take a concerted effort by all the legislators to get the message
across.
Number 0776
REPRESENTATIVE RAMONA BARNES asked why Co-Chair Ogan wished to hold
the resolution over to the following week.
CO-CHAIR OGAN called an at-ease at 1:10 p.m.; the meeting came back
to order at 1:12 p.m.
Number 0780
REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a motion to adopt the original version
of HJR 11, rather than CSHJR 11(O&G); she asked unanimous consent.
There being no objection, the original version was adopted.
Number 0823
REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a motion to move HJR 11 from the
committee with the accompanying zero fiscal note and individual
recommendations; she asked unanimous consent. There being no
objection, HJR 11 moved from the House Resources Standing
Committee.
CO-CHAIR OGAN turned the gavel over to Co-Chair Sanders.
SB 12 - FOREST PRACTICES: STREAMS/TRIBUTARIES
Number 0934
CO-CHAIR JERRY SANDERS announced the next order of business would
be Senate Bill No. 12, "An Act classifying anadromous streams and
tributaries; relating to the designation of riparian areas;
establishing buffers on certain streams and relating to slope
stability standards on certain streams; and requiring retention of
low value timber along certain water bodies where prudent."
Number 0946
SENATOR JERRY MACKIE, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 12,
came forward and asked Representative Phillips to join him at the
table. He explained that Representative Phillips' bill had passed
both bodies the previous year. She had asked Senator Mackie to
introduce SB 12 in the Senate, where it passed rapidly by a vote of
20-0. They are continuing to work together to see this happen.
SENATOR MACKIE read from the sponsor statement:
Senate Bill 12 is the result of a cooperative effort by forest
users to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of the
Forest Practices Act and recommend any improvements that would
strengthen the protection of Alaska's streams and water
quality.
In 1996, the Board of Forestry established a science and
technical committee, comprised of scientists from the timber,
commercial fishing, and environmental communities, as well as
state and federal agencies, to review and assess expressed
concerns about the adequacy of the Act's protections. The
committee's two-year study identified several opportunities to
improve salmon habitat and water quality. A stakeholders
committee then convened to incorporate these findings into the
recommendations to the board. The board subsequently endorsed
these recommendations and requested legislative approval of
the appropriate measures.
Senate Bill 12 affects only the spruce and hemlock forests in
the Department of Natural Resources' designated Region 1.
This is the coastal area from Ketchikan to Kodiak.
Under current regulations, all anadromous streams are
protected, although exceptions are allowed for marginal
streams. ... Senate Bill 12 will eliminate all exceptions and
provide additional protections. As a result, the bill
accomplishes several goals:
1. It assigns a "type" classification that covers all
streams, putting to rest concerns that some segments of
anadromous streams were not included for protection.
2. It extends the no-harvest, riparian buffer zone to ALL
anadromous fish streams, relative to "type."
3. It requires the retention of low-value timber along
certain tributaries where prudent, so that trees may
eventually fall into streams, forming natural pools
downstream that are important for fish rearing.
I am pleased to sponsor this legislation that is a product of
so much time, effort and deliberation by members of the
timber, fishing and environmental communities. It is a
cooperative step forward in the protection and wise
utilization of our resources.
Number 1128
SENATOR MACKIE advised members that the forest industry is probably
the primary mover behind this. He commended them for advocating
larger buffer zones and more protection in terms of logging. He
said the forest industry has lived up to its commitment in
supporting the science that will better protect our streams.
Senator Mackie noted that present were Mr. Phelps of the Alaska
Forest Association, Mr. Jahnke of the Division of Forestry; and
Jerry McCune of the United Fishermen of Alaska. He assured members
that this is a consensus bill among the various users of the
resources. He knows of no opposition to it.
Number 1246
REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS, Alaska State Legislature, told
members that support for the prior year's resolution was virtually
unanimous last session, and support for SB 12 was unanimous in the
Senate last week. It is consensus legislation, developed from a
great deal of work by all parties involved. They had addressed
Area 1 first and have now started work on Area 2; eventually they
will have re-evaluated the Forest Practices Act for the entire
state.
SENATOR MACKIE pointed out that the commercial fishing industry and
members from the environmental community have been very supportive.
Committee packets contain a zero fiscal note, maps showing the
regions affected, classifications and studies.
Number 1384
CO-CHAIR SANDERS advised members that he would offer the
Administration and the industry an opportunity to comment, even
though everyone seemed to be in agreement.
Number 1401
JEFF JAHNKE, Director, Division of Forestry, Department of Natural
Resources (DNR); and Presiding Officer, Board of Forestry, came
forward in support of SB 12, specifying that he spoke on behalf of
both the DNR and the board. He said Senator Mackie had done a
great job of explaining the bill. Mr. Jahnke emphasized the
participation in developing this resolution, which is carefully
worded and has agreement. He cautioned that too many changes may
make agreement difficult to sustain.
CO-CHAIR SANDERS asked whether anyone else wished to testify; no
one came forward.
Number 1464
REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a motion to move SB 12 from the
committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal
note(s); she asked unanimous consent. There being no objection, SB
12 moved from the House Resources Standing Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 1490
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:23 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|