04/05/2006 09:00 AM House FINANCE

HOUSE BILL NO. 307                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     An Act creating the Knik River Public Use Area.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Bill Stoltze,  Sponsor  commented briefly  on                                                                   
the bill.   He noted that  his district experienced  problems                                                                   
with  land mismanagement  and  misuse.   He  pointed out  the                                                                   
public meetings held to discuss  this issue and noted changes                                                                   
made  in  the  bill to  reflect  concerns  expressed  by  the                                                                   
department and  constituents.  He expressed his  intention to                                                                   
develop  a  multiuse  management  plan,  maintaining  current                                                                   
values of use.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:55:38 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHARLOTTE  SARTOR,  MATSU, testified  via  teleconference  in                                                                   
support of the bill.  She thanked  Representative Stoltze for                                                                   
improvements  to the bill.   She  explained problems  of land                                                                   
misuse,  and  proposed  that  good  enforcement  was  key  to                                                                   
addressing problems.  She also  suggested changes to line 13,                                                                   
and discussed  the network  of trail  routes.  She  suggested                                                                   
adding a citizen's  advisory board, and pointed  out the need                                                                   
to safeguard wildlife.  She urged funding for the bill.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:57:46 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIT  LIVELY,  CO-FOUNDER, BUTTE  AREA  CIVIC  ORGANIZATIONS,                                                                   
testified  via teleconference  in support of  the bill.   She                                                                   
thanked  the Sponsor  for  providing  more troopers  for  the                                                                   
area.   She  applauded changes  made by  the House  Resources                                                                   
Committee, but suggested that  more changes were needed.  She                                                                   
stated that  dangerous activities  in the  area were  still a                                                                   
concern,  and  urged funding  for  adequate oversight.    She                                                                   
noted that  they had not seen  the fiscal note,  but proposed                                                                   
an estimate of  $250 thousand for the first year  to make the                                                                   
area  usable for  families.    She also  noted  the need  for                                                                   
public  restrooms,  as well  as  for enforcement  to  prevent                                                                   
vandalism.   She  also  suggested  that a  recreational  area                                                                   
designation  would  help  to   protect  the  area,  and  that                                                                   
visitors would therefore  pay a small fee for  upkeep for the                                                                   
area.  She urged support of this Alaskan resource.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:02:16 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Meyer closed  public  testimony  for  the  day,  but                                                                   
expressed his intention to continue on the following day.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB  307  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in  Committee   for  further                                                                   
consideration.