2001-07-20                     House Journal                      Page 1925
HB 185                                                                                            
The following letter, dated July 11, 2001, was received:                                            
                                                                                                    

2001-07-20                     House Journal                      Page 1926
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
On this date I have signed the following bill passed by the first session                           
of the Twenty-second Alaska State Legislature and am transmitting                                   
the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's office                               
for permanent filing:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
      CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 185 (FIN)                                                               
      "An Act relating to fees for certain uses of state water, other than                          
      fees for traveling upon state water, and to the accounting and                                
      appropriation of those fees; relating to authorizations for the                               
      temporary use of state water; making other amendments to the                                  
      Alaska Water Use Act; and providing for an effective date."                                   
                                                                                                    
      Chapter No. 100, SLA 2001                                                                     
      [Effective Date:  See Chapter]                                                                
                                                                                                    
This bill provides Alaska's Department of Natural Resources with the                                
statutory tools necessary to issue temporary water use authorizations                               
in an efficient and timely fashion while protecting Alaska's fish and                               
wildlife resources.  It also provides for the establishment of reasonable                           
water fees necessary to support Alaska's water rights program, a                                    
program that is of vital importance to Alaskans.  The administration's                              
water program will ensure the allocation of this important resource for                             
the maintenance of water quality and quantity, conservation of our fish                             
and wildlife, public use and enjoyment of Alaska's spectacular                                      
waterways, and environmentally sound economic development.                                          
                                                                                                    
The legislative process brought to light several related issues which                               
this legislation does not address, such as instream flow reservations.                              
My administration is committed to work with the public over the next                                
year to ensure we have the tools and strong regulatory framework to                                 
protect, conserve and develop our water resources in an                                             
environmentally sound manner.                                                                       
                                                                                                    
Water reservations are a savings account for future generations of                                  
Alaskans.  Reserving sufficient water flows for maintaining Alaska's                                
fish populations and their habitats is an essential element of sound                                
resource stewardship.  We cannot repeat the mistakes of over-                                       
allocation that so many of the Lower 48 states face today.  Our                                     

2001-07-20                     House Journal                      Page 1927
communities, our industries, and our unparalleled fish and wildlife                                 
populations depend upon us to be forward thinking -- to ensure we                                   
maintain Alaska's water resources for future generations, while                                     
allowing responsible resource development.  With this essential goal                                
in mind, I have asked my resource agencies to provide me any                                        
recommendations to improve our water allocation program.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                            Sincerely,                                             
                                          /s/                                                       
                                          Tony Knowles                                              
                                             Governor"