05/03/1996 12:40 PM Senate RES

           HJR 66 am OPPOSE AMERICAN HERITAGE AREAS                          
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN LEMAN  brought HJR 66 am, sponsored by the House Rules              
 Committee, before the committee as the next order of business.                
                                                                               
  MARIEKE NORDLINER , staff to Representative Gail Phillips, explained         
 the resolution was drafted in response to a congressional bill                
 currently before Congress that is unfriendly to Alaska.  In                   
 opposing that bill, as currently drafted, HJR 66 requests                     
 amendments specifically to protect private property rights, and it            
 specifically opposes the increased authority handed to the                    
 Secretary of the Interior under the current bill.                             
                                                                               
  DICK BISHOP , Executive Director, Alaska Outdoor Council, voiced             
 AOC's strong support for HJR 66.  Under the bill in Congress, the             
 National Park Service would be able to administratively designate             
 natural heritage areas, and with that, could go restrictions that             
 in addition to being inconsistent with private property rights,               
 would be inconsistent with other uses by other people.  The Council           
 feels that the legislation is not an appropriate measure to be                
 passed by Congress, and they will work to that end.                           
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN LEMAN  asked if there was any testimony in the House                
 opposing this resolution.   MS. NORDLINER  responded that the                 
 National Park Service called and they were upset at what they                 
 perceive to be a slap in the face to the Park Service, and the                
 resolution was amended to remove the language they found                      
 aggressive.                                                                   
                                                                               
 There being no further testimony on HJR 66 am,  CHAIRMAN LEMAN                
 closed the public hearing and stated the committee would stand at             
 ease until a quorum was established.                                          
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN LEMAN  brought  HJR 66 am  (OPPOSE AMERICAN HERITAGE AREAS)         
 back before the committee.  Hearing no further discussion on the              
 resolution, he asked for the pleasure of the committee.                       
                                                                               
 SENATOR PEARCE moved HJR 66 am be passed out of committee with                
 individual recommendations.  Hearing no objection, it was so                  
 ordered.