Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/16/2000 02:30 PM House RES
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HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 16, 2000
2:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Hudson, Co-Chair
Representative Beverly Masek, Co-Chair
Representative John Harris
Representative Carl Morgan
Representative Ramona Barnes
Representative Jim Whitaker
Representative Reggie Joule
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mary Kapsner
Representative John Cowdery, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 54
Relating to urging the exclusion of national forests in Alaska
from President Clinton's proposal for withdrawal of roadless
areas in the national forest system.
- HEARD AND HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 206
"An Act relating to the migratory game bird conservation tag, to
a nonresident combined sport fishing and hunting license, to the
nonresident military small game and sport fishing license, to
applications for certain licenses, tags, and permits issued by
the Department of Fish and Game, and to duplicate crewmember
licenses."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 164
"An Act relating to electronic application for and issuance of
licenses, permits, and tags issued by the Department of Fish and
Game; to violations regarding a license, permit, or tag applied
for or issued electronically; and providing for an effective
date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HJR 54
SHORT TITLE: EXCLUDE AK NATL FORESTS FROM ROADLESS POL
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
2/09/00 2145 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
2/09/00 2145 (H) RES
2/09/00 2145 (H) REFERRED TO RESOURCES
2/16/00 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE BILL WILLIAMS
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 502
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HJR 54.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 00-10, SIDE A
Number 0001
[This meeting is a continuation following the Alaska Minerals
Commission briefing held on February 16, 2000, at 1:05 p.m.]
CO-CHAIR HUDSON turned attention to the legislation before the
House Resources Standing Committee at 2:30 p.m. Members present
were Representatives Hudson, Masek, Harris, Morgan, Barnes,
Whitaker and Joule.
HJR 54 - EXCLUDE AK NATL FORESTS FROM ROADLESS POL
CO-CHAIR HUDSON announced that the committee would take up HOUSE
JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 54, relating to urging the exclusion of
national forests in Alaska from President Clinton's proposal for
withdrawal of roadless areas in the national forest system.
Number 0059
REPRESENTATIVE BILL WILLIAMS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor
of HJR 54, noted that the preservationists are trying to "lock
up" Alaska, and they are doing a very good job of it. He
indicated HJR 54 was introduced to protest yet another
politically motivated attack on the working people of Alaska.
The President of the United States has proposed a policy that
would end further road building on the national forest system.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS pointed out that Alaska is home to the
two largest forests in the country, and the health and diversity
of the economy is directly related to the resource industry. He
said there are several specific reasons for his objection.
First, the policy is illegal; the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (ANILCA) specifically prohibits such withdrawals
without the expressed direction of Congress. Second, ten years
and more than $13 million have been spent to create the Tongass
Land Management Plan (TLMP), which is an obvious dedication of
time, money and public process used to create a plan that would
bring "peace in the valley." This plan would be thrown out the
window. He added that the TLMP document has already been
compromised with Undersecretary Jim Lyons' unilateral amendment
in 1999. This attack is yet another attempt at circumventing
proper forest management for the sake of political science and
posturing. Third, he said, time and money are currently being
spent to create a plan for the Chugach National Forest. Once
again, the public process is being followed to produce a plan for
the future use of this forest. One great concern to those who
live and work in the Chugach is the spruce bark beetle
infestation, which will continue if the policy is implemented.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS referred to a letter written by the
Governor, where it reads, "It is our understanding the White
House may be considering a directive to the U.S. Forest Service
to include the Tongass National Forest in the services' national
roadless area review. If so, I would consider this to be an
outrage and a double-cross." Representative Williams said that
he is frustrated with the level of federal intervention, and
there will be more of it if people don't stand up today. The
sole purpose of the roadless policy, in his view, is to satisfy
the increasing demand of radical environmental groups who want to
stop all industry activities on public land. He asked for the
committee's support on HJR 54.
Number 0538
CO-CHAIR MASEK asked if the resolution will affect any other
areas in the state besides the Tongass and Chugach National
Forests.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS replied that it is his understanding that
the Tongass and Chugach National Forests are the only two that
are being looked at by the U.S. Forest Service.
CO-CHAIR MASEK commented that the resolution is important to the
state. She commended Representative William's efforts in putting
it together.
Number 0632
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE wondered if there are private land holdings
within the Tongass and Chugach National Forests that would be
prohibited from development without the implementation of the
resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS replied that there is public land that
may be affected, but they don't know where it is going to be.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE recalled reading something about land owned
by the Chugach Regional Corporation that would not be accessible.
He wondered if there were similar cases in the Tongass National
Forest.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS replied that Sealaska Corporation and the
village corporations would be affected. He explained that it
would be beneficial to know where the roadless areas are going to
be.
Number 0795
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS wondered if Representative Williams has
spoken to the Governor or his staff. He indicated it would
reassure the committee that the Governor is sincere about
pursuing those avenues.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS indicated that he has not, but he would
like to think that the Governor will keep his word.
CO-CHAIR HUDSON pointed out that his intention was to put HJR 54
on the table for discussion; however, the committee would not
take any public testimony or action until February 18, 2000. He
also indicated that other items on the committee calender would b
addressed at the next meeting.
CO-CHAIR MASEK commented that the resolution seems to be trying
to balance it very well, and the attacks at the national level
are just political posturing and are not helping the state. She
said she supports HJR 54 and thanked Representative Williams for
the work he has done on it. [HJR 54 was held over.]
ADJOURNMENT
Number 1113
CO-CHAIR HUDSON adjourned the House Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 2:45 p.m.
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