CSHB 1(EDA): "An Act declaring the Arctic policy of the state."
00 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 1(EDA) 01 "An Act declaring the Arctic policy of the state." 02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 03 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 04 to read: 05 LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT. (a) The legislature finds that 06 (1) the state is what makes the United States an Arctic nation; 07 (2) the entirety of the state is affected by the activities and prosperity in the 08 Arctic region, and conversely, the Arctic region is affected by the activities and prosperity in 09 the other regions of the state; 10 (3) residents of the state, having lived and worked in the Arctic region for 11 decades, have developed expert knowledge regarding a full range of activities and issues 12 involving the region; 13 (4) residents of the state recognize the risks that come with a changing climate 14 and emerging threats to ecosystems, as well as increased maritime activity, but are optimistic 15 that the skillful application of expertise, coupled with circumpolar cooperation, will usher in a
01 new era of economic and resource development that will improve the quality of life for 02 residents of the state; 03 (5) the development of the state's natural resources in an environmentally and 04 socially responsible manner is essential to the development of the state's economy and to the 05 well-being of the residents of the state; 06 (6) for thousands of years, indigenous peoples have made up the majority of 07 the inhabitants of the Arctic region, and their physical and spiritual well-being depends on 08 protecting the bountiful lands, rivers, and seas of the Arctic region; 09 (7) it is essential for the state and federal government to strengthen their 10 collaboration on Arctic issues, including coordination when creating policies and 11 implementation plans related to the Arctic, as both continue to engage in international 12 circumpolar activity; 13 (8) the state should maintain an official body authorized to further develop 14 strategies and policies for the Arctic region that respond to the priorities and critical needs of 15 residents of the state. 16 (b) It is the intent of the legislature that this declaration of Arctic policy 17 (1) be implemented through statutes and regulations; 18 (2) not conflict with, subjugate, or duplicate other existing state policy; 19 (3) guide future policy derived from the implementation strategy developed by 20 the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission; 21 (4) clearly communicate the interests of residents of the state to the federal 22 government, the governments of other nations, and other international bodies developing 23 policies related to the Arctic. 24 * Sec. 2. AS 44.99 is amended by adding a new section to read: 25 Sec. 44.99.105. Declaration of state Arctic policy. (a) It is the policy of the 26 state, as it relates to the Arctic, to 27 (1) uphold the state's commitment to economically vibrant 28 communities sustained by development activities consistent with the state's 29 responsibility for a healthy environment, including efforts to 30 (A) ensure that Arctic residents and communities benefit from 31 economic and resource development activities in the region;
01 (B) improve the efficiency, predictability, and stability of 02 permitting and regulatory processes; 03 (C) attract investment through the establishment of a positive 04 investment climate and the development of strategic infrastructure; 05 (D) sustain current, and develop new, approaches for 06 responding to a changing climate, and adapt to the challenges of coastal 07 erosion, permafrost melt, and ocean acidification; 08 (E) encourage industrial and technological innovation in the 09 private and academic sectors that focuses on emerging opportunities and 10 challenges; 11 (F) maintain a strong, sustainable fisheries industry and 12 increase fisheries research and monitoring; 13 (2) collaborate with all levels of government, tribes, industry, and 14 nongovernmental organizations to achieve transparent and inclusive Arctic decision- 15 making, including efforts to 16 (A) strengthen and expand cross-border relationships and 17 international cooperation, especially bilateral engagements with Canada and 18 Russia; 19 (B) sustain and enhance state participation in the Arctic 20 Council; 21 (C) pursue opportunities to participate meaningfully as a 22 partner in the development of federal and international Arctic policies, thereby 23 incorporating state and local knowledge and expertise; 24 (D) strengthen support for and collaboration with Arctic 25 Council Permanent Participant organizations that include indigenous peoples 26 of the state; 27 (E) reiterate the state's long-time support for ratification of the 28 Law of the Sea Treaty; 29 (3) enhance the security of the Arctic region of the state and, thereby, 30 the security of the entire state, including efforts to 31 (A) enhance disaster and emergency prevention and response,
01 oil spill prevention and response, and search and rescue capabilities in the 02 region; 03 (B) provide safe, secure, and reliable maritime transportation in 04 the areas of the state adjacent to the Arctic; 05 (C) sustain current, and develop new, community, response, 06 and resource-related infrastructure; 07 (D) coordinate with the federal government for an increase in 08 United States Coast Guard presence, national defense obligations, and levels of 09 public and private sector support; and 10 (4) value and strengthen the resilience of communities and respect and 11 integrate the culture and knowledge of Arctic peoples, including efforts to 12 (A) recognize Arctic indigenous peoples' cultures and unique 13 relationship to the environment, including traditional reliance on a subsistence 14 way of life for food security, which provides a spiritual connection to the land 15 and the sea; 16 (B) build capacity to conduct science and research and advance 17 innovation and technology in part by providing support to the University of 18 Alaska for Arctic research consistent with state priorities; 19 (C) employ integrated, strategic planning that considers 20 scientific, local, and traditional knowledge; 21 (D) safeguard the fish, wildlife, and environment of the Arctic 22 for the benefit of residents of the state; 23 (E) encourage more effective integration of local and 24 traditional knowledge into conventional science, research, and resource 25 management decision making. 26 (b) It is important to the state, as it relates to the Arctic, to support the strategic 27 recommendations of the implementation plan developed by the Alaska Arctic Policy 28 Commission and to encourage consideration of recommendations developed by the 29 Alaska Arctic Policy Commission. Priority lines of effort for the Arctic policy of the 30 state include 31 (1) promoting economic and resource development;
01 (2) addressing the infrastructure and response capacity gap in order to 02 support the Arctic region; 03 (3) supporting healthy communities; and 04 (4) supporting existing and fostering new science and research that 05 aligns with state priorities for the Arctic. 06 (c) In this section, "Arctic" means the area of the state north of the Arctic 07 Circle, north and west of the boundary formed by the Porcupine, Yukon, and 08 Kuskokwim Rivers, all contiguous seas, including the Arctic Ocean, and the Beaufort, 09 Bering, and Chukchi Seas, and the Aleutian Chain, except that, for the purpose of 10 international Arctic policy, "Arctic" means the entirety of the state.