2000-07-14                     Senate Journal                      Page 3771
SB 255                                                                       
Message dated and received May 10, stating:                                    
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
On this date I have signed the following bill passed by the second             
session of the Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature and am                    
transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant               
Governor's Office for permanent filing:                                        
                                                                               
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 255(RES) An Act                                        
relating to best interest findings and land use                                
permits, rights-of-way, and easements issued by the                            
Department of Natural Resources; and providing for                             
an effective date.                                                             
                                                                               
		Chapter 27, SLA 2000                                                         
		Effective Date: See Chapter                                                  
                                                                               
This bill responds to a recent Alaska Supreme Court decision                   
regarding a Department of Natural Resources right-of-way permit to             
Golden Valley Electric Association for construction of an electric             
transmission  intertie  between  Healy and Fairbanks. The Court held           
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-07-14                     Senate Journal                      Page 3772
SB 255                                                                       
that because the permit was not functionally revocable, the                    
department should have issued a best interest finding before granting          
the permit. This bill clarifies that a best interest finding is not            
required in the granting of this right-of-way or in other permits              
issued under AS 38.05.850.                                                     
                                                                               
Prior to passage of this bill, the Department of Natural Resources             
proceeded to comply with the court decision and began a best                   
interest finding on the intertie project. This project has generated a         
great deal of public comment. The state is responsible to the public           
to consider these comments and complete the best interest finding.             
                                                                               
Therefore, in signing this bill, I am also asking the commissioner of          
the Department of Natural Resources to complete the best interest              
finding on the Fairbanks-Healy intertie right-of-way.                          
                                                                               
I also want to advise the Legislature and ensure the public that this          
Administration will continue to thoroughly review major projects of            
this nature through a best interest finding or a comparable review             
process.                                                                       
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor