Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/04/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB326 | |
| HJR28 | |
| HB330 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 330 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 336 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 359 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HJR 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 326 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 330
An Act relating to management of noxious weeds and
invasive plants; establishing the Noxious Weed and
Invasive Plant Board; and establishing the noxious
weed and invasive plant management fund.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, SPONSOR, noted that a
constituent in his district purchased a strawberry plant in
which they found a Canadian thistle growing. The Canadian
thistle is an invasive species. Many types of invasive
plants are prolific and can cause much economic damage.
The State of Alaska has nothing in place to address these
types of concerns. He added, there are federal dollars for
states that have certain criteria in place for eradicating
invasive species:
• Each state must have a policy in place
• The state would be required to have a weed-
coordinator position
• The state is required to have a board that directs
that position
Representative Johnson added, after statewide meetings last
summer, a plan was submitted which allows the State to
qualify for some of those federal monies. He pointed out
that Alaska is in a unique situation; many states are
currently spending a lot of money to address invasive
plants that are ruining crops and devastating wildlife
habitat. Alaska has not reached a critical situation yet;
he worried, however, that salmon spawning streams
eventually would be blocked by certain species of plants.
JEANNE OSTNES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON,
mentioned an event that happened in December when a plane
load of 3,000 contaminated Christmas trees arrived in
Alaska. The airport did not have a specific plan in place
to address the situation. She warned, Alaska needs a
policy in place.
Ms. Ostnes continued, the legislation began as a bill
through the summer with hearings held, attempting to build
a board. During the process, it has been determined the
fiscal impact to revise regulations for creation of a weed
board. The note has been decreased to cover only the
coordinator position. The ideas were submitted during the
statewide discussions:
• To develop the program within the Department of
Natural Resources
• Appoint a coordinator
• Revise the regulations
• Develop a plan for the State
Ms. Ostnes pointed out that the fiscal note was dropped
from $237 thousand dollars to $80 thousand dollars with a
sunset provision for the position. She listed tasks
associated with the weed coordinator position.
3:08:33 PM
Representative Gara commented that the State of Alaska,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT) is
the largest purveyor of noxious weeds. He pointed out that
Department puts dandelions in their grass seed in the
right-of-way expansion. He asked if there would be
objection to mandating that Department alter its seeding
policy. Representative Johnson noted the importance to
discern that the Department is not planting plants that are
dangerous. The work of the board would be to suggest
regulations that require certified seed stock.
Representative Gara acknowledged that none of those weeds
were dangerous except that they take away habit for native
plants. He understood that it is more expensive to use
native seeds, as addressed in the original fiscal note.
Representative Johnson reiterated that there are plants
that are dangerous and that there must be a distinction
between dangerous plants and natural species being
replaced. The intention of the bill is not to address the
seedlings used by the Department of Transportation, but
address dangerous plants.
3:13:14 PM
Ms. Ostnes pointed out that 59% of the Alaska lands are
federal holdings, 12% Native lands, 28% State lands and 1%
private. Co-Chair Meyer inquired if the federal government
had a program in place.
3:15:05 PM
GINO GRAZIANO, VICE CHAIR, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE),
ALASKA COMMITTEE FOR NOXIOUS WEEDS AND INVASIVE PLANTS
MANAGEMENT (CNIPM), ANCHORAGE, directed his comments toward
the legislative impacts and what has been accomplished to
date.
He spoke to the impacts of invasive plants and how they are
affecting agriculture as well as tourism, wildlife and
fisheries resource and management. He pointed out that
Alaska is valued pristine areas and that the noxious plants
can have harmful affects on tourism. Invasive plants
displace many of the wildflowers and native useable plant
vegetation. Plants such as purple loosestrife can clog
wetlands and block fish passages.
Mr. Graziano pointed out that some states are attempting to
restore spawning habit to comply with the Federal
Endangered Species Act. As well, land values have
diminished in many states because of the spotted knapweed.
Agriculturally, it is difficult to sell certain parcels of
land covered with spotted knapweed.
Mr. Graziano agreed with Representative Johnson regarding
the large amounts other states are spending to control many
of these plant species. He pointed out that there are over
ten locations in Alaska where the spotted knapweed has been
spotted.
Mr. Graziano referenced purple loose strife, which recently
was added to Alaska's noxious weed list. The plant does
migrate into water bodies, clogging those areas and that
nothing else can grow in there. Much needs to be done in
the State to prevent it from spreading.
3:20:53 PM
Mr. Graziano referenced leafy spurge, a plant currently not
present in Alaska. The plant is toxic to stock and wild
life. It costs agricultural producers and tax payers in
the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming over $144 million dollars
per year to manage. The sap can cause blisters and
blindness. It is not found in Alaska yet but could find
its way to the State. It currently does exist in the
Yukon, Canada.
Vice-Chair Stoltze encouraged more testimony regarding
conservation issues & solutions since problems statewide
have been identified.
Mr. Graziano hoped that creating a State coordinator
position would bring Alaska into to a participating roll in
invasive plant management, by developing a strategic plan
including all the necessary State agencies including the
Department of Transportation, Department of Fish and Game
and Department of Environmental Conservation. He added the
roll of the position would share strategic information to
locate infestations of weeds and then determine the
necessary prevention tactics. The position could make
recommendations for seeds, not including invasive plants.
Current regulations are out of date.
3:24:12 PM
Mr. Graziano advised that the direction must come from the
State through a strategic plan. The weed coordinator
position should work with the already established
organizations to help support existing weed management
efforts. There are federal dollars available through the
Noxious Weed Act. He urged a State program to support
those efforts.
3:25:33 PM
Representative Gara asked about the Department of
Transportation's involvement with the concern. Mr.
Graziano responded that the Department is a key player in
the issues and should be given direction on how best to
provide safety on the roadsides.
Representative Gara inquired if the Department had planted
anything that concerned CNIPM. Mr. Graziano replied white
sweet clover and reed canary grass have been planted by
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
contractors along the roadside, both of which proven are
proven to infest riparian areas on the Kenai peninsula. He
added, the Peninsula is working to develop management
strategies to address these concerns. The plant has proven
to cause siltation of the gravel bars that salmon use for
spawning. He listed a number of noxious weeds present on
the roadsides.
3:27:58 PM
ERIC WADE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the
legislation echoing comments made by Mr. Graziano. He
pointed out that the weed coordinator position would work
with various conservation districts, departments statewide
and the science community. He urged that action be taken
by the Legislature to address the concerns.
Vice-Chair Stoltze pointed out that there has been very
little leadership coming from the Division of Agriculture
management team.
Representative Johnson reminded the Committee that many of
the testifiers are passionate about the issue. He stated
that the bill brings together interested voices, helping to
create a plan and providing a small funding stipend.
3:31:27 PM
BRYCE WRIGLEY, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PRESIDENT,
ALASKA FARM BUREAU, WASILLA, spoke in support of the
legislation, stressing the importance of putting resources
toward such a proposal. He urged greater support from
State agencies. He commented that if action is delayed,
the State will need much more funding than the requested
$80 thousand dollars. He attested to the effectiveness to
early and aggressive response and urged passage of the
bill.
3:33:28 PM
MICHELE HEBERT, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CHAIR, LAND
RESOURCES PROGRAM COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, UNIVERSITY OF
ALASKA-FAIRBANKS, spoke in favor of HB 330. She noted that
within the agricultural community, the State should be
cautious not to leave out invasive insects & plant
diseases, both of which fall under the category of
agricultural pests.
3:36:29 PM
LORI ZAMSEIL, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), COMMITTEE
AGAINST NOXIOUS WEEDS IN THE NORTH (CANWIN), ANCHORAGE,
testified in favor of the legislation. She emphasized the
severity of the problem, explaining that passage would
bring federal money into the State for coordination of
services to address the issues in an organized and
coordinated effort. She reiterated the urgency for the
legislation to quickly pass.
3:39:21 PM
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
Co-Chair Meyer stated that SB 330 would be HELD in
Committee to create a new work draft.
Representative Thomas mentioned concerns involving invasive
marine plants. He asked if the Department of Fish and Game
handles those concerns. Representative Johnson reported
the problem is new and quite complicated. He maintained
that starting the process with plants is more doable during
a 90-day session. He hoped to see language expanded down
the road to address all invasive species.
Representative Thomas thought that more than one position
would be needed to handle the load. Representative Johnson
explained how the clearing house is anticipated to be set
up, hiring a weed coordinator and appointing a board to go
after the federal dollars. He believed that the
legislation provides a reasonable process. Representative
Thomas pointed out that in one season in Juneau alone, over
6,000 gallons of Round Up was sold at Costco.
3:47:29 PM
Ms. Ostnes referenced the chart, "Explosive Growth"
contained in member's packets. (Copy on File). She
maintained that currently, Alaska is in a lag phase.
HB 330 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
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