Legislature(2009 - 2010)
2009-02-27 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2009-02-27 Senate Journal Page 0381 SB 127 SENATE BILL NO. 127 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 2009-02-27 Senate Journal Page 0382 "An Act establishing the Southeast State Forest and relating to the Southeast State Forest; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Resources Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Natural Resources Governor's transmittal letter dated February 25: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill establishing the Southeast State Forest and relating to the Southeast State Forest. This legislation is one important piece of our overall strategy to revitalize the timber industry and expand wood energy in Southeast Alaska. This bill designates approximately 25,291 acres of state land as the Southeast State Forest. These lands are presently used for timber harvest, but they are designated "General Use" land, and there is no certainty that they will continue to be available for forest management in future decades. Establishing a Southeast State Forest enables the division of forestry in the Department of Natural Resources to manage this land to increase long-term timber supply for local processors and wood energy needs, provide near-term jobs in thinning, and retain the land in state ownership for multiple uses. In Southern Southeast (SSE) Alaska, demand for state timber exceeds supply. Most SSE timber is on federal land, but federal timber sales have declined drastically. Local mills now depend heavily on state timber for survival. The state is committed to finding long-term solutions through cooperative efforts to increase economically feasible federal timber sales, and maximizing the sustainable supply of timber from the small state timber base. Second-growth stands that have been thinned have higher volumes per acre, less impact on wildlife, and shorter rotations. However, thinning is a long-term investment, and is only cost-effective if the land will 2009-02-27 Senate Journal Page 0383 continue to be available for forest management. A Southeast State Forest will retain the land for long-term forest management, and provide 8 - 10 jobs annually during the thinning season. The proposed Southeast State Forest includes 20 parcels totaling approximately 25,291 acres. Parcels are General Use lands on Prince of Wales (8,708 acres), Tuxekan (200 acres), Kosciusko (2,680 acres), Heceta (2,010 acres), Revilla (324 acres), and Gravina islands (5,878 acres), and on the mainland at Crittenden Creek and Bradfield Canal (5,490 acres). This land would be managed under the State Forest statutes located at AS 41.17.200 - 41.17.230. It would continue to be open for multiple use, including wildlife harvest and recreational activities. Current Department of Natural Resources area plans will continue to direct management until a specific plan, involving interagency and public review, for the forest is adopted. Of these designated lands, approximately 655 acres will be offered for harvest in the near term (within the next two years). The remainder will be scheduled for harvest later, in accordance with the adopted management plan. Because the City and Borough of Wrangell has not yet selected its full municipal entitlement, and some of the designated lands fall within its municipal boundaries, the bill provides that selections may still be made from those lands. If new municipalities are recognized, this bill will not affect their entitlement amounts, but will prevent these designated lands from being selected. This bill is an important part of Alaska's effort to maintain timber as part of the southeast economy. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Sarah Palin Governor