SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE May 5, 1994 3:44 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Mike Miller, Chairman Senator Loren Leman, Vice Chairman Senator Steve Frank Senator Drue Pearce Senator Al Adams Senator Dave Donley Senator Fred Zharoff MEMBERS ABSENT None COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20 Supporting the reopening and development of the Alaska-Juneau Mine. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 218(FSH) "An Act relating to the maximum length of salmon seine vessels; and providing for an effective date." PREVIOUS ACTION HCR 20 - No previous action to record. HB 218 - See Resources minutes dated 5/2/94. WITNESS REGISTER Senator Robin Taylor State Capitol Juneau, Ak. 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SCR 20. Chuck Achberger, Director Juneau Chamber of Commerce 125 W. 5th Juneau, Ak. 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SCR 20. Tammy Larson, President Alaska Women in Mining 8510 Rainbow Row Juneau, Ak. 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SCR 20. Paula Terrel Thane Neighborhood Association 5025 Thane Rd. Juneau, Ak. 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SCR 20. Skip Gray Alaskans for Juneau 4464 Mountain Side Dr. Juneau, Ak. 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SCR 20. Senator Jim Duncan State Capitol Juneau, Ak. 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SCR 20. ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 94-43, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN MILLER called the Resources Committee meeting to order at 3:44 p.m. and announced SCR 20 (REOPENING ALASKA-JUNEAU MINE) to be be up for consideration. He said a proposed CS drops "Echo Bay" everywhere in the resolution, so it is more generic. SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt CSSCR 20(RES). There were no objections and it was so ordered. SENATOR TAYLOR said that a group called "Women in Mines" came to him to see if the legislature could show some generic support for their industry. He has no objection to the CS. CHUCK ACHBERGER, Director, Juneau Chamber of Commerce, supported SCR 20. We should look for alternatives to oil for supporting ourselves. Juneau was founded by the AJ Mine, which was once the largest gold mine in the world. There are over 40 permits that will govern the construction and operation of the AJ Mine. These permits entail frequent monitoring to assure compliance. Environmental quality is important to all of us. The City and Borough of Juneau has also developed its own large mine permit in addition to all the state and federal permits, he said. Number 119 TAMMY LARSON, President, Alaska Women in Mining, felt the resolution is important because it sends the message that Alaska needs industry development. She said the industry and communities need the jobs. PAULA TERREL, Thane Neighborhood Association, said she didn't think a resolution was not appropriate for this issue. But she said it would be less contentious if some of the wording were changed so that is was more reflective of what the City and Borough itself has done in terms of the mining ordinance. SENATOR JIM DUNCAN passed the committee a proposed CS. He said the AJ Mine was a very contentious issue in Juneau. He has not involved himself either pro or con for the mine. He wants to make sure the process is working. He thought the resolution probably boils down to an end run around a process that has been followed by the city, the state, and the federal agencies. He thought it was inappropriate for the legislature to address a resolution of support for a private profit making enterprise that fans the flames of controversy. SKIP GRAY, Alaskans for Juneau, presented a slide show on the site of the proposed mine. Number 472 SENATOR DONLEY moved to adopt the Utermohle 4/16/94 (e) draft CS SCR 20(RES) in place of the committee substitute adopted earlier in the meeting. There were no objections and it was so ordered. SENATOR LEMAN moved to discharge CSSCR 20(RES) from committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered. Number 486 SENATOR MILLER announced CS HB 218(FSH) (REPEAL 58 FT. LIMIT FOR SEINE VESSELS) to be up for consideration. SENATOR ZHAROFF said he objected to the bill although the concept is good. The timing is inappropriate until they get the Board of Fish resolved to the issues at hand. SENATOR FRANK moved to pass CSHB 218(FSH) from committee. SENATOR ZHAROFF objected. Senator Zharoff voted no; Senators Miller, Leman, Pearce, and Frank voted yes. Senator Donley didn't vote. SENATOR MILLER adjourned the meeting at 4:20 p.m.