05/08/2019 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

            SB  91-NUYAKUK RIVER: HYDROELECTRIC SITE                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:48:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR  announced that the  final order of  business would                                                               
be  CS FOR  SENATE  BILL NO.  91(FIN), "An  Act  relating to  the                                                               
development and operation of a  hydroelectric site at the Nuyakuk                                                               
River Falls; providing  for the amendment of  the management plan                                                               
for the Wood-Tikchik  State Park; and providing  for an effective                                                               
date."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:48:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON,  Alaska State Legislature, explained                                                               
that  CSSB 91(FIN)  would  allow  for a  local  utility based  in                                                               
Dillingham to  get the  authority necessary to  go into  a nearby                                                               
state   park  and   explore  the   feasibility  of   an  in-river                                                               
hydroelectric  project.   The location  of the  project is  65-70                                                               
miles northeast of Dillingham, he  said, and the bill would allow                                                               
the current statutes around the park itself to be amended.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR noted  the House  Special  Committee on  Fisheries                                                               
heard a presentation on the  bill that indicated the natural flow                                                               
of  the   river  at  the   proposed  location  provides   a  good                                                               
opportunity for  an in-river hydroelectric project,  but the bill                                                               
is necessary for that to happen.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON agreed the aforementioned is correct.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:50:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR stated  the bill has been vetted by  the other body                                                               
and is now  before this body.  She said  the committee would like                                                               
to act on  the bill at its  next meeting and will  be taking both                                                               
public testimony and amendments at that meeting.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
[SB 91 was held over.]