Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/06/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB307 | |
| HB493 | |
| HCR30 | |
| HB105 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 488 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HCR 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 307 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 493 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 307
An Act creating the Knik River Public Use Area.
ROBERT HOWARD, FRIENDS OF RESIDENCE, PALMER, testified
against HB 307. He noted his last two decades seriously
advocating the committing of local resources to responsible
use. [Mr. Howard distributed photographs to the Committee
of the area.]
He said he served with the Trails Committee, the Mat-Su
Trails Council and a founding member of the Knik River
Watershed Group. Mr. Howard believes there are better ways
to address problems of that region. A State recreation
access area could provide a better solution. He thought
that an area accessible to more than 300 thousand people and
riddled with trail services will create undeniable impacts.
Mr. Howard stressed the need for a management plan including
a Citizen's Advisory Board. He urged that HB 307 contain
stated deadlines.
1:52:12 PM
CARRIE GREY WOLF, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), WILDLIFE
BIOLOGIST, PALMER, testified in opposition to the
legislation. She pointed out that birds and waterfowl do
not have the option to leave; the Valley is part of a
critical migration route. Bird watching in Alaska is a
multi million-dollar business. If the bill passes, she
urged that the Commissioner have the authority to restrict
the type of weapons used in the critical habitat area and
regulate the time of discharge in the wetlands. She
advocated for sufficient funding for education, enforcement,
habitat protection, sanitary facilities and trail
maintenance.
1:54:57 PM
CECILY FRITZ, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), KNIK RIVER
WATERSHED GROUP, PALMER, thanked Representative Stoltze for
initiating a plan that would help bring people together to
accommodate all users and the resources in the area. She
urged effective enforcement, asking how the enforcement will
happen.
Ms. Fritz recommended the Committee amend Page 2, Section
41-23-190 - to include a Citizen's Advisory Board. She
stated that Page 3, Lines 13-18, does not allow management
of the trails near residential areas, in the dunes, or
consideration of motorized use of the upland trails during
the winter season.
Ms. Fritz pointed out that swans are present near that
trail. She urged that the bill be amended on Line 13,
inserting language "as compatible with the purposes of that
section and ending the sentence after the word "ariel". She
noted that with good legislation, their group could work
effectively with the various agencies.
1:58:42 PM
ERIC UHDE, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ALASKA CENTER FOR
THE ENVIRONMENT (ACE), ANCHORAGE, testified in opposition to
HB 307, noting that it does nothing to help manage
activities. ACE recommends a local management style for the
area, managed as a recreation area. The Knik River is
notorious for being a dangerous place and the legislation
fails to tackle those problems. HB 307 limits the
Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources to
manage the resources and does not provide for any "on the
ground enforcement". HB 307 allows, "grand fathering" of
all existing trails; he recommended that section be deleted.
The planning process is the best place to address trail
issues for critical habitat areas.
Mr. Uhde recommended that a Citizen's Advisory Board be
established to compliment the Department of Natural
Resources management. In any event, proper funding is the
key. He pointed out that the fiscal note does not address
enforcement and funding that is essential. In conclusion,
the local population should be the ones to determine the use
of management areas.
2:02:05 PM
TODD CLARK, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ALASKA OUTDOOR
ACCESS ALLIANCE (AOAA), ANCHORAGE, discussed the goals of
AOAA to maximize the largest use of the public resources.
In South-central Alaska, there needs to be a place
designated for use by motorized vehicles. HB 307 provides
the opportunity for education, protection and management
enforcement. He suggested that HB 307 could help solve the
problems, reiterating that enforcement is the key issue.
2:05:47 PM
PATTI BARBER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PALMER, voiced
appreciation for HB 307, which protects motor home users.
She agreed there needs to be greater funding for the Alaska
State Troopers for proper enforcement.
2:06:43 PM
KEN BARBER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PALMER, voiced
100% support for HB 307 and recommended no changes to the
bill. Mr. Barber agreed that enforcement is essential.
2:08:05 PM
DICK COUTTS, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), BUTTE COMMUNITY
COUNCIL TRAIL COMMITTEE, PALMER, noted support for HB 307.
He explained the need for public use designation for the
Knik River valley. The traditions and rural lifestyles must
be protected - hunting, fishing, prospecting & trapping.
There are other parts of Alaska that offer areas of no
motorized vehicles. Tourism is a choice of economic
viability in the Butt area. Offering a public use
designation is an option for everyone. Mr. Coutts
acknowledged the need for more law enforcement but not a lot
of new restrictions. There are approximately 72 public
agencies that have regulations in place already for such an
infrastructure.
2:11:09 PM
DICK MYLIUS, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), DEPUTY
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MINING LAND AND WATER, DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE, commented that the Department
of Natural Resources has worked closely with Representative
Stoltze & Senator Huggins on the legislation. He thought
the changes made have been good. The legislation sets aside
264 thousand acres as a public use area; there is general
support for addressing the concerns. The management plan
offers a good opportunity to address the issues. Another
key point of the bill is that it provides the Department of
Natural Resources enforcement authority along with the
Alaska State Troopers for citing violations. Current
enforcement is not working on the ground.
2:13:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, SPONSOR, thanked the Department
of Natural Resources for the proposed enforcement language.
He appreciated the direction the bill has moved; he pointed
out he is working on an amendment that would allow groups
outside government, to provide resources for organizational
costs. He highlighted long-term issues of the area.
2:15:06 PM
Representative Kerttula voiced her appreciation with the
proposed cleaning up; she asked how the public process would
include involvement from the Department of Natural
Resources. Mr. Mylius said they intend to follow the
standard public project process, which takes about two years
and involves public meetings to identify issues and
concerns. There were hearings held on the legislation last
summer to focus on the issues. The Department will gather
data to deal with issues such as a public survey regarding
area use. A draft plan would be written, following the
meetings on the plan and then a final plan would be written.
He summarized the three rounds of public meetings. The
planning team would consist of the State agencies involved
in land and resource management and the borough.
2:17:21 PM
Representative Kerttula understood the time and effort put
into planning, and asked if at some point a more formal
group could happen. Mr. Mylius responded that had occurred
from time to time in the planning efforts. Initially, there
was a formal advisory board - a group that was useful but
added time and expense to the process. It is known who the
prime usury groups will be.
2:18:56 PM
Representative Kerttula pointed out that the enforcement
section appears to be broader than normal and asked what it
encompasses. Mr. Mylius replied at this time, the only ones
authorized to issue warrants are the Alaska State Troopers,
which includes employees from the Department of Fish and
Game and State Rangers.
Representative Kerttula agreed there needs to be a "show of
enforcement and commitment" to deal with the seriousness of
the legislation. Mr. Mylius pointed out that the fiscal
note contains funding for a position that would be
responsible for patrolling the area and that the use is
somewhat seasonal.
2:21:32 PM
Representative Kerttula inquired how the public use area
could interact with the adjacent land. Mr. Mylius replied
that most of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands do
not see much intensive public use. The BLM used to have a
few parcels closer to the road system but most of those have
been transferred to the State.
2:22:20 PM
Representative Kerttula referenced the section of the bill
that addresses recognition of the existing off-road motor
vehicle trails and asked if that meant "consideration". Mr.
Mylius understood that it meant, "recognized". Some of
those trails might need to be rerouted; the current language
provides that flexibility.
Representative Kerttula asked if some of those trails were
creating more debilitation, would the Department have the
authority to rehabilitate the area to bring them back. Mr.
Mylius replied they have that authority.
2:24:28 PM
Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to ADOPT New Amendment #1,
#24-LS0737\S.2, Bullock, 4/6/06. Co-Chair Meyer OBJECTED.
Representative Weyhrauch explained the amendment clarifies
that the Commissioner cannot prohibit hunting within a
marine park-system. He noted the language came from
Representative Kerttula's bill, which creates a marine park
in Southeast Alaska. He thought the provision fit well in HB
307.
2:25:37 PM
Representative Kelly pointed out it restates the existing
wording. Representative Weyhrauch clarified that one
restricts while the other prohibits. Representative Kelly
asked if it would affect fishing and trapping.
Representative Weyhrauch said it could not. Representative
Kelly countered that it could reduce restrictions on
hunting. Discussion between Representative Weyhrauch and
Representative Kelly took place on the verbiage addressing
hunting restrictions.
2:27:53 PM
Representative Kerttula clarified that the reason for the
language in her bill was to address concerns brought forward
by the territorial sportsman. She did not believe there
were concerns regarding hunting but thought the issues
brought forward by Representative Kelly were worth
consideration.
Representative Weyhrauch WITHDREW the MOTION on Amendment
#1. There being NO OBJECTION, it was withdrawn.
2:29:49 PM
Vice Chair Stoltze commented that the amendment deals mostly
with Southeast park issues and does not address land and
management concerns that the Knik public use area has.
2:30:22 PM
Mr. Mylius pointed out the fiscal note addresses two
components:
· A two year planning process effort, and
· A long-term position for a manager to that area
Co-Chair Meyer noted the two employees hired for FY07 & FY08
and then one position in FY09. Mr. Mylius replied that was
correct, as the first two years require funding for the
planning effort. The long-term manager hired in the first
two years would be involved in the planning effort. The
planning position would exist only as long as the planning
efforts continue. Mr. Mylius said the planning position
would be placed in Anchorage; the Valley position funding
would be through the State Agriculture Office, the cost
covered in the fiscal note.
2:34:11 PM
Co-Chair Chenault inquired if the position could help the
State Troopers. Mr. Mylius replied that it was the other
way around and that they would be assisting the Alaska State
Troopers. The area has become a dump ground for many stolen
vehicles and requires State Trooper involvement.
Enforcement will have several purposes for patrolling those
grounds. Co-Chair Chenault appreciated that the hired
person would be working in the field, not in an office.
Representative Kelly emphasized the area clearly is not a
park. Mr. Mylius understood that; there are a few public
use areas managed by the Division of Mining, Land & Water.
2:37:44 PM
Representative Weyhrauch asked if it was a critical habitat
area. Vice Chair Stoltze said not as a whole but that part
of the process is to identify such areas. Creating a
multiple use area is the intent.
2:38:58 PM
Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT CS HB 307 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 307 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "no"
recommendation and with fiscal note #1 by the Department of
Natural Resources.
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