2025-05-02                     Senate Journal                      Page 1089
SB 188                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 188 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
              "An Act expanding the Tanana Valley State Forest;                                                                
          and providing for an effective date."                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State 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 May 1:                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
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 DOF—                                                                 

2025-05-02                     Senate Journal                      Page 1090
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