Legislature(1997 - 1998)
1997-04-25 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1997-04-25 Senate Journal Page 1481 SB 186 SENATE BILL NO. 186 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to coordination of the application, review, decision, and appeal process for certain project permits; relating to the Alaska Coastal Policy Council and the Alaska Coastal Management Program; relocating certain functions of the office of management and budget to a statutorily created division of project assistance in the Office of the Governor; repealing the Environmental Procedures Coordination Act; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs, Resources and Finance Committees. Indeterminate fiscal notes published today from Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish and Game, Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of the Governor. Governors transmittal letter dated April 24: 1997-04-25 Senate Journal Page 1482 SB 186 Dear President Miller: Government must work to eliminate unnecessary obstacles to development while allowing opportunities for Alaskans to have an influence on projects that affect them and their communities. I am introducing this legislation to improve the efficiency of obtaining permits for economic development while maintaining protections of the environment and making public participation more convenient and meaningful. Doing resource development right requires decisions be based on sound science, prudent management and an open, responsive public process. A healthy environment is not possible without a strong economy, nor are good jobs possible without strong environmental protections. This initiative acknowledges that permitting has evolved in a piecemeal fashion over time and that efficiencies can be gained if requirements are consolidated. Under current law, permits for a single project require separate applications, most of which require redundant information. Each agency reviews the applications separately according to their individual timetables and requirements. Public notice and hearings on the applications may be conducted separately, under different standards for each permit, resulting in a duplication of time and expense for all. Several permits for one project may be appealed to separate agencies and to the Coastal Policy Council, even though each of the appeals is based on a common set of facts. Current procedures increase time and costs to the applicant, the public and state agencies without increasing environmental protection. This bill unifies permit procedures by project. As a result, Alaska will become a friendlier place for businesses to operate while making the public process more convenient and meaningful. 1997-04-25 Senate Journal Page 1483 SB 186 The bill provides for the establishment of public information centers to assist people who wish to undertake a project in understanding which permits may be needed, how they can be obtained, and how long the process may take. It provides for a single agency to coordinate comments and to be a single point of contact for the applicant and the public. Opportunities for the public to influence the project will be enhanced through better public notice and more efficient public meeting and comment procedures. A single project decision will be issued which will contain all permitting decisions required for the project as well as a coastal zone consistency statement, if one is required. That project decision will be subject to one appeal, eliminating the redundancy of appeals to multiple agencies. To ensure efficiency and accountability, and in recognition of its role in the streamlined process, the Division of Governmental Coordination will be renamed the Division of Project Assistance, moved from the Office of Management and Budget, and created as a new division in the Governors Office reporting directly to the Governor. These changes will create a streamlined, efficient atmosphere for the public and Alaskans who do business here. The changes will preserve and enhance the ability of the public to learn about projects affecting them, and influence government decisions on those projects. I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor