Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-02-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-02-16 Senate Journal Page 0407 SB 98 SENATE BILL NO. 98 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to standards for forest resources and practices; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Natural Resources Governor's transmittal letter dated February 15: 2001-02-16 Senate Journal Page 0408 Dear President Halford: Alaska is recognized as a world leader in protecting the habitat and spawning capacity of anadromous and resident fish in our streams and rivers. Our Forest Resources and Practices Act establishes high standards of protection while promoting timber development. Two years ago, the Legislature amended Alaska's Forest Resources and Practices Act (FRPA) as it applies to the Southeast region of our state. That legislation reflected consensus between the timber and fishing industries and state land management agencies. This bill I transmit today continues to improve the FRPA and its ability to protect fish habitat and water quality in a manner that supports both the timber and fishing industries. This current phase of the FRPA revision addresses management standards in interior Alaska (Region III) and, once again, represents a consensus of interested constituents. This bill is the result of hard work by many people over the last two years. It is founded on the best science available, including an extensive review of existing research, and recommendations of an interdisciplinary science and technical committee. The committee included experienced field staff from the state resource agencies, and University of Alaska, private, and federal scientists. Their recommendations were passed on to a group that included representatives of the timber and fishing industries, Native corporations, and environmental groups. Together, they crafted language to implement the scientists' recommendations in a practical manner that will work in the field. Finally, the Board of Forestry unanimously endorsed this legislation. The result of this public effort is an amended FRPA that has support from a broad array of interest groups. The current interim standards for Region III were adopted in 1990. Under these standards, harvesting can occur up to the bank of anadromous waters on both public and private land under certain conditions. Under this bill, all anadromous and high-value resident fish waters are classified and riparian standards are established for each water body type. The requirements are tailored to the characteristics and fish habitat needs of each stream type. On most anadromous and high-value resident fish waters, a no-harvest buffer 2001-02-16 Senate Journal Page 0409 will be required. However, along glacial rivers where some of the most valuable timber occurs, the standards allow harvest of up to half the large white spruce in the landward half of the buffer. This lets landowners capture some of the economic value within the riparian areas while keeping enough large trees to provide appropriate habitat for fish and wildlife. This bill has substantive changes only for riparian management standards in Region III. Other revisions are technical in nature, such as changes to the statewide nomenclature for waterbody classes to prevent confusion between waterbody types in different regions. The bill also moves definitions of regional boundaries from the regulations to the Act, and makes a minor change to the regional boundary on the Kenai Peninsula to better match the difference between forest types. Most forest land in the affected area is in federal ownership, so the change will have little impact on private landowners. This bill helps ensure that the FRPA continues to be certified for compliance with federal Clean Water Act and coastal zone management requirements. This means that the Act keeps providing "one-stop shopping" for the timber industry with respect to state, federal and coastal management standards. I look forward to working with you on the passage and implementation of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor