Legislature(2005 - 2006)
2006-02-01 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2006-02-01 House Journal Page 2400 HB 420 HOUSE BILL NO. 420 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to riparian protection standards for forest resources and practices; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Resources Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 31, 2006, follows: "Dear Speaker Harris: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to riparian protection standards for forest resources and practices. 2006-02-01 House Journal Page 2401 The bill would complete the task of setting statewide riparian protection standards that began with the 1990 changes to the Forest Resources and Practices Act (AS 41.17). Standards for Region I, the coastal forest, and Region III, the Interior, have already been established. Now, the work has been finished to set standards for Region II, Southcentral. Section 1 of the bill sets out legislative findings supporting the standards. Such findings are helpful to managers and the regulated community in understanding the underlying purposes and intent for the statutory language. These findings recognize the unique nature of Southcentral Alaska forests and forest uses. Section 2 of the bill would set the new standards for private land in Southcentral Alaska. For large, nonglacial, and for most glacial, anadromous fish-bearing water bodies, timber harvest may not occur within 150 feet of the water body and wider protections are set for outer bends subject to erosion. Other types of water bodies receive either 100-foot or 50-foot no-harvest buffers, depending on stream characteristics. Section 3 of the bill would set the new standards for state land in Southcentral Alaska. The no-harvest buffers would be the same as those set for private land. This section also would clarify that adjacent estuarine areas are subject to the same protections as are the fresh water bodies. Also, this section would establish that for all four types of fish-bearing water bodies in the region, harvest may occur from the landward boundary of the no-harvest buffer to 300 feet from the water body only insofar as it is consistent with the maintenance or enhancement of wildlife habitat. Section 4 of the bill would set new standards for other public land in Southcentral Alaska. These standards are the same as those applicable to state land, except that there is no requirement that harvest from the boundary out to 300 feet be consistent with maintenance or enhancement of wildlife habitat. In section 5 of the bill, the term "riparian area" would be amended to reflect the new standards for Region II. Section 6 of the bill would add new definitions necessary to understand the standards. Thus, the four new stream categories (Types II-A, II-B, II-C, and II-D) are 2006-02-01 House Journal Page 2402 explained. Finally, the terms "outer bend subject to erosion," "point bar," "terrace," and "terrace top break" all would be defined. Section 7 of the bill would set the effective date as July 1, 2006. The bill would complete the fish habitat riparian protection standards that are one of the primary purposes underlying the Forest Resources and Practices Act. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor"