04/08/2014 08:00 AM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB246 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 246 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 8, 2014
8:06 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Fred Dyson, Vice Chair
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Anna Fairclough
Senator Hollis French
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Cathy Giessel, Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Lesil McGuire
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 246
"An Act adding additional land and water to the Creamer's Field
Migratory Waterfowl Refuge."
- MOVED HB 246 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 246
SHORT TITLE: CREAMER'S FIELD WATERFOWL REFUGE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HIGGINS
01/21/14 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/14
01/21/14 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/14 (H) RES
02/24/14 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
02/24/14 (H) Moved Out of Committee
02/24/14 (H) MINUTE(RES)
02/26/14 (H) RES RPT 6DP 1NR
02/26/14 (H) DP: HAWKER, P.WILSON, OLSON, SEATON,
SADDLER, FEIGE
02/26/14 (H) NR: JOHNSON
03/13/14 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/13/14 (H) VERSION: HB 246
03/14/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/14/14 (S) RES
04/08/14 (S) RES AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE PETE HIGGINS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska,
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 246
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:06:40 AM
CHAIR CATHY GIESSEL called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:06 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Fairclough, Micciche, French, and Vice Chair
Dyson.
HB 246-CREAMER'S FIELD WATERFOWL REFUGE
8:07:21 AM
VICE CHAIR DYSON announced the consideration of HB 246. "An Act
adding additional land and water to the Creamer's Field
Migratory Waterfowl Refuge."
8:07:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETE HIGGINS, sponsor of HB 246, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced the bill speaking to the
following sponsor statement: [Original punctuation provided.]
HB 246 repeals and reenacts AS 16.20.039 to add
additional lands to Creamer's Field Migratory
Waterfowl Refuge.
The boundary change in HB 246 proposes to incorporate
a total of four parcels of land adjacent to Creamer's
Migratory Waterfowl Refuge purchased by the State of
Alaska, some dating back to 2001. These acquired
parcels, although not officially part of the refuge,
have been managed as refuge land since management
authority was delegated to the Department of Fish and
Game (ADFG) from the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR).
The Alaska Department of Fish & Games, Creamer's Field
Migratory Waterfowl Refuge Interim Management Plan
strives to achieve balance between a variety of user
groups including bird watchers, skijors, dog mushers,
cross country skiers, hunters, trappers,
snowmachiners, a variety of dog training groups,
school groups, etc. The ADF&G staff at Creamer's
Refuge takes great pride in the fact that they are
truly a multi-user refuge.
ADF&G currently see no reason to alter the Creamer's
Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge Interim Management
Plan to restrict, deny, or otherwise impinge on any of
the recognized activities that were addressed in this
plan.
SENATOR FAIRCLOUGH asked if any other entity is asking for a
different ownership style for these parcels.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS replied he is not aware of anyone asking
for any different use. He added that most of the property is
wetlands so the refuse designation is appropriate.
VICE CHAIR DYSON commented that this is a significant part of
the migratory water fowl flyway.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if this property is open to both hunting
and water fowl viewing.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS offered his understanding that there is a
little bit of hunting and trapping, which will continue to be
allowed.
8:11:26 AM
SENATOR FAIRCLOUGH asked if there are natural boundaries so that
people will know these four parcels are part of the refuge.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS answered no; the area is mostly flat and
swampy.
SENATOR FRENCH summarized that this makes the refuge bigger but
does not change the way it's managed.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS confirmed it would be larger, but
management remains the same. Responding to a further question,
he said there has been no opposition.
VICE CHAIR DYSON noted that Doug Vincent-Lang with the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game was available to answer questions.
Finding no questions or public testimony, he solicited a motion.
8:12:58 AM
SENATOR FAIRCLOUGH moved to report HB 246, version 28-LS1214\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
VICE CHAIR DYSON announced that without objection HB 246 passes
from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.
8:13:49 AM
VICE CHAIR DYSON adjourned the Senate Resources Standing
Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 246 vs A.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |
| HB 246 Sponsors Statement.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |
| HB 246 Fiscal Note-DFG.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |
| HB 246 Map of Creamer's field.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |
| HB 246 Creamer's Field Plan abbreviated.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |
| HB 246 Satellite image of Creamer's Field.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |
| HB 246 Special Area Permit Letter ADF&G.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |
| HB 246 Supp Letter Wildlife Society 20140213.pdf |
SRES 4/8/2014 8:00:00 AM |
HB 246 |