2025-05-02                     House Journal                      Page 0994
HB 218                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 218 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act expanding the Tanana Valley State Forest; and providing                                                             
    for an effective date."                                                                                                     

2025-05-02                     House Journal                      Page 0995
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Resources                                                         
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated May 1 follows:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to expand the Tanana Valley                                                              
State Forest.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Expansion of the forest will help secure long-term investment in the                                                            
area and will facilitate increased forest management. Under Division                                                            
of Forestry (DOF) stewardship, timber resources will be sustainably                                                             
produced, utilized, and replenished, while other public land uses                                                               
continue. This change provides certainty for investors - and Dept. of                                                           
Family & Community Services - that investments in reforestation,                                                                
road construction, and other forest activities will be safeguarded and                                                          
maintained. Additionally, these forest roads will improve public access                                                         
for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, berry picking, and                                                        
tourism.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
These lands, already classified for forest use in state land management                                                         
plans for their timber productivity, will now be officially part of the                                                         
State Forest, reaffirming our commitment to sustainable forest                                                                  
management.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
I respectfully urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this                                                             
measure.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"