1996-10-21                     House Journal                      Page 4818
HB 447                                                                       
The following letter, dated June 27, 1996, was received:                       
                                                                               
Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                         
                                                                               
Under authority of art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I have        
vetoed the following bill:                                                     
                                                                               
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 447(RES)                                                
An Act relating to traditional means of access for traditional                
outdoor uses and to the classification and the sale, lease, or other           
disposal of state land, water, or land and water.                              
                                                                               
This bill places a burden on our land classification and disposal              
process that would simply invite delay and litigation.                         
                                                                               
This legislation prohibits any prospective disposal of state land or           
water unless it provides traditional means of access.   When                   
disposing of land,  the state must designate, and the private land owner       
or lessee must provide, easements across the land.  This is an                 
unworkable requirement because the definition of traditional means             
of access is unclear.  It also brings into question the future rights and      
liabilities of the private owner or lessee. Every prospective disposal of      
state land, whether for residential, commercial, or agricultural purposes,     
would be put on hold while DNR attempts to determine whether a                 
particular parcel is subject to an individual, family, or community life       
pattern of access.                                                             

1996-10-21                     House Journal                      Page 4819
HB 447                                                                       
Especially troubling is that this bill would prevent DNR from                  
protecting our lands intrinsic values that are commonly shared and             
cherished, if that protection would arguably restrict an ill-defined           
notion of traditional means of access.  This begs conflict with                
existing law and public sentiment which call for responsible protection        
of our land and water.                                                         
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor