1993-03-01                     House Journal                      Page 0485
HJR 32                                                                       
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32 by the House Rules                               
Committee by request of the Governor:                                          
                                                                               
Urging the federal government to recognize the dire water and                 
sanitation conditions in rural Alaska and to become a full partner             
with this state in improving this health-threatening situation.                
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social         
Services Committee.                                                            
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies to HJR 32:                                   
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 3/1/93                  
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated March 1, 1993, appears below:         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Barnes:                                                          
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am     
transmitting a resolution concerning the implementation of the                 
recommendation of the Alaska Sanitation Task Force.                            
                                                                               
The Alaska Sanitation Task Force was established by the Department             
of Environmental Conservation to examine the critical problems of              
inadequate water and sanitation facilities in rural Alaska and to provide      
recommendations for a comprehensive strategy for improving these               
conditions.                                                                    
                                                                               
The task force consisted of 27 representatives from federal, state,            
Native, and regional organizations.  Its findings established                  
dramatically that many villages in rural Alaska have inadequate water          

1993-03-01                     House Journal                      Page 0486
HJR 32                                                                       
and sewer facilities and that the lack of facilities has resulted in critical  
health and safety problems in rural Alaska.                                    
                                                                               
Solving these health and safety problems will not be easy.  The task           
force has provided a road map for their solution.  The solution, though,       
will require the coordinated efforts of state, local, and federal              
governments, along with Native organizations and other groups.                 
                                                                               
This resolution requests the assistance of the President of the United         
States in obtaining the cooperation of the appropriate federal agencies        
in addressing these important problems.  These federal agencies have           
responsibilities for assuring safe water and sanitation programs and           
facilities in rural Alaska.                                                    
                                                                               
The Department of Environmental Conservation has copies of the                 
Alaska Sanitation Task Force report available for your review.                 
                                                                               
I urge your support and prompt action on this important resolution.            
                                                                               
                                                                               
          Sincerely,                                                           
          /s/                                                                  
          Walter J. Hickel                                                     
          Governor"