Legislature(2005 - 2006)

03/29/2006 02:26 PM House RES


Download Mp3. <- Right click and save file as

Audio Topic
02:26:48 PM Start
02:26:55 PM HB307
03:26:55 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 307-KNIK RIVER PUBLIC USE AREA                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:26:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS announced  that the only order  of business would                                                               
be HOUSE  BILL NO. 307,  "An Act  creating the Knik  River Public                                                               
Use Area."                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CARL BAKER  expressed his desire  for HB 307 to  pass as is.   He                                                               
added  that  many  restrictions already  exist  and  more  aren't                                                               
necessary.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:30:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DICK COUTTS,  Board Member,  Butte Community  Council; Secretary,                                                               
Butte Community  Council, Trails  Committee, stated that  he's in                                                               
favor of  creating a  Knik River  Public Use  Area.   He surmised                                                               
that the majority of people want  this public use area.  He noted                                                               
that there  are thousands of  legitimate, lawful  motorized users                                                               
in the Knik  River valley off-road use area.   He said that three                                                               
of  the  public  use  areas  currently  in  existence,  Nelchina,                                                               
Goldstream,  Ernie Haugen,  and the  Six Rivers  Recreation Area,                                                               
all have  provisions in statute that  they won't be managed  as a                                                               
unit of the  state park system.  He further  noted that there's a                                                               
definition in statute that any  method of transportation that has                                                               
become  popular is  traditional.   He  remarked that  all-terrain                                                               
vehicles   have  become   popular  and   are  included   in  that                                                               
definition.   He relayed that  there's extensive support  for the                                                               
creation of a Knik River Public  Use Area, such as the five Butte                                                               
Community Council resolutions over the  last 13 years for keeping                                                               
existing trails opened.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:32:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ERIC  UHDE,   Public  Lands  Advocate,  Alaska   Center  for  the                                                               
Environment  (ACE),   informed  the  committee  that   ACE  is  a                                                               
grassroots  conservation  organization  based in  Anchorage  with                                                               
over 7,000  Alaskan members.  ACE  has been working for  35 years                                                               
to  protect  Alaska's recreational  land,  and  it is  definitely                                                               
opposed to  HB 307.  He  stated that the Knik  River is notorious                                                               
for being  lawless and  dangerous.  He  criticized this  bill for                                                               
failure to  tackle the  problems that have  plagued the  area for                                                               
years.  He  continued that HB 307 doesn't  keep off-road vehicles                                                               
on  proper trails,  curb dangerous  use of  guns, or  support any                                                               
immediate  enforcement of  existing laws.   He  further continued                                                               
that this  bill seeks  to codify  unlimited motorized  access and                                                               
weapons  used  in the  area.    ACE  supports area  residents  in                                                               
seeking a  balance between  motorized use of  the Knik  River and                                                               
the  protection of  wildlife  and habitat.   He  said,  "I see  a                                                               
couple of glaring deficiencies in  HB 307."  He acknowledged that                                                               
this bill  directs the Department  of Natural Resources  (DNR) to                                                               
adopt a  management plan, but pointed  out that it doesn't  set a                                                               
deadline for  the plan's  development or  adoption.   He remarked                                                               
that HB  307 severely limits  DNR's authority to stop  the damage                                                               
to natural  resources caused by  off-highway vehicles  (OHV) use,                                                               
and  the purpose  of this  bill  is to  enhance off-road  vehicle                                                               
opportunities.   He noted that HB  307 will also limit  the Board                                                               
of Fisheries  and the Board  of Game's authority  when addressing                                                               
OHV  use because  their regulations  will have  to be  consistent                                                               
with the  purpose of this bill.   It isn't clear  whether DNR has                                                               
the authority  to close  out pre-existing  trails or  segments of                                                               
trails  that affect  critical  habitat area.    He said  critical                                                               
habitat  isn't  even defined  in  HB  307.   In  addition,  DNR's                                                               
commissioner is  directed to identify  wetland areas, but  at the                                                               
same time,  must provide for both  their protection and use.   He                                                               
opined that it seems to be a  stretch to be able to protect these                                                               
areas  while  also advocating  for  increased  use.   He  further                                                               
mentioned that  state-sanctioned OHV  use in  wetlands, protected                                                               
by the  Clean Water Act, could  leave the state open  to a charge                                                               
that its formal action violates this act.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:35:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
WILL TAYGAN, Volunteer, Sierra Club,  informed the committee that                                                               
the Sierra  Club has approximately 1,000  members in southcentral                                                               
Alaska.   He uses the area,  mostly for bird watching  and stated                                                               
that he's  opposed to the  legislation as  it stands.   He opined                                                               
that  HB  307 is  very  biased  toward  motorized use  and  that,                                                               
historically, non-motorized  users avoid the area.   He suggested                                                               
that on  page 1,  line 14,  and page  2, line  1, "non-motorized"                                                               
should be inserted after "motorized  access" and "motorized use".                                                               
He characterized  the grandfathering in of  trails as problematic                                                               
and seems  to tie DNR's ability  to manage.  He  referred to page                                                               
3, line 11, and opined  that recognizing existing [OHV] trails is                                                               
fine;  however, the  shortest possible  route  to avoid  critical                                                               
habitat  is really  limiting  to DNR.   He  said,  "I think  that                                                               
section should  just be  struck and that  the management  and the                                                               
development of the plans could  be done throughout the management                                                               
plan and not in the legislation."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:37:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MIKE  ERICKSON, President,  Alaska ATV  Club, said  the club  has                                                               
historically viewed  management plans  "as, eventually,  we can't                                                               
go  there any  more."   He  stated that  the  club supports  this                                                               
legislation as  written, especially  the language  protecting the                                                               
exiting trails and  motorized users' right to frequent  them.  He                                                               
said, "We have no problem  with sharing the trails with everybody                                                               
else, and we do  that now.  We take care of the  area."  He noted                                                               
that the  majority of recreational  users frequent the  trails on                                                               
the lower side.  He opined that  all of the trails need to remain                                                               
open, and that  it needs to be included in  the guidelines of the                                                               
management plan.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:39:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DANIEL  HERTRICH, Alaska  Outdoor  Access  Alliance, opined  that                                                               
it's about  time that motorized  use be  recognized as a  form of                                                               
recreation,  equal  to other  forms  of  recreation, and  HB  307                                                               
should make  motorized recreation a  priority for the  Knik River                                                               
area  to ensure  that motorized  access isn't  "taken away."   He                                                               
remarked that  if the area  is managed such that  motorized users                                                               
can't  recreate there,  "a big  chunk" of  recreation opportunity                                                               
will be taken away from many Alaskans.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:41:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CARRIE  GRAYWOLFE stated  that  she  opposes HB  307  as well  as                                                               
[Version  I].   She  opined that  Representative Stoltze  drafted                                                               
this  legislation  catering  to  special interest  groups.    She                                                               
further  opined that  HB 307  is heavily  biased toward  off-road                                                               
vehicle use  and is  at the  expense of  most other  user groups.                                                               
She referred to page 3, lines 11-16, which reads as follows:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     recognize  the existing  off-road motor  vehicle trails                                                                    
     and the  access those  trails provide  to areas  in the                                                                    
     Knik River  Public Use  Area, make  accommodations that                                                                    
     will  provide  the  shortest possible  route  to  avoid                                                                    
     critical  habitat, conduct  trail  rehabilitation in  a                                                                    
     way that  minimizes damage,  maintain and  enhance off-                                                                    
     road  motor vehicle  options and  opportunities in  the                                                                    
     Knik River  Public Use Area, and  provide for increased                                                                    
     use of the public use area.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
She clarified that the aforementioned  is dedicated solely to the                                                               
protection and  rights of off-road  users.  She asked,  "Where is                                                               
the   language  that   specifically  includes   the  recognition,                                                               
accommodations, maintenance,  and enhancement  of areas  for non-                                                               
motorized uses, trails, and waterways?"   She referred to page 2,                                                               
lines  7-[8],  which  reads,   "The  commissioner  may  designate                                                               
incompatible uses," and to page 3, lines 5-10:                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     The commissioner shall allow  the Knik River Public Use                                                                    
        Area to be used for activities that include all-                                                                        
     terrain   vehicles,  aircraft,   watercraft,  airboats,                                                                    
     snowmobiling, horseback riding,  hiking, bicycling, dog                                                                    
     sledding,  cross-country  skiing,  skijoring,  camping,                                                                    
     hunting, fishing,  wildlife viewing,  photography, and,                                                                    
     where permitted, mineral exploration and mining.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. GRAYWOLFE  said, "As written, there  are no incompatible                                                                    
uses,"  and  asked, "What  if  one  or  more of  the  stated                                                                    
activities  is determined  harmful to  the perpetuation  and                                                                    
enhancement  of general  recreation, or  the protection  and                                                                    
maintenance of wildlife  habitat?"  She referred  to page 3,                                                                    
lines 2-4, "the  use of weapons, including  firearms, in the                                                                    
Knik River  Public Use  Area except  in locations  where the                                                                    
commissioner determines that the  use of weapons constitutes                                                                    
a  threat to  public safety,"  and stated  that it  fails to                                                                    
adequately address target shooting,  and many residents fear                                                                    
for their safety.  She  said weapons are being discharged up                                                                    
to  24  hours  per  day,  7  days  per  week  toward  homes,                                                                    
residents,  and  other  recreational  users.    She  further                                                                    
relayed that  residents have no relief  from noise pollution                                                                    
or potential  danger, and fish  and wildlife are  at greater                                                                    
risk to lead poisoning from  excessive target shooting.  She                                                                    
said Representative  Stoltze misled the committee  on Monday                                                                    
as  the opposition  nearly equaled  the  supporters of  this                                                                    
bill at  the public hearings  in 2005.   She noted  that the                                                                    
South  Knik  River  Community  Council  voted  against  this                                                                    
legislation  as  written.     This  issue  goes  far  beyond                                                                    
recreational   activities,  and   she  asked,   "Why  should                                                                    
hundreds  of Knik  River residents  continue to  suffer from                                                                    
the  users who  destroy the  land and  disrespect the  local                                                                    
inhabitants?"   She  said residents  need a  better solution                                                                    
than  this poorly  written legislation,  such as  creating a                                                                    
Knik River State Recreation Area.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:43:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT  WOLFE acknowledged  [Representative Stoltze's]  attempt to                                                               
addresses  concerns  and  conflicts  which have  developed  as  a                                                               
result of  repeated irresponsible use  of the Knik River  Area by                                                               
some users.  However, he opined  that HB 307 and [Version I] will                                                               
perpetuate  and   enhance  the  problems,  instead   of  creating                                                               
solutions.   He  said  this is  special  interest legislation  to                                                               
protect the rights of motorized  users at the expense of everyone                                                               
else, including the  quality of life of the local  residents.  He                                                               
noted  that Representative  Stoltze is  the director  at-large of                                                               
the Alaska  Outdoor Council  (AOC), an  affiliation of  the AOAA.                                                               
There's a potential conflict of  interest, which was shown during                                                               
Monday's [meeting] when Representative  Stoltze failed to mention                                                               
that during the previous two  public hearings, nearly half of the                                                               
testimonies were against this bill.   In addition, Representative                                                               
Stoltze  mentioned  that the  Butte  Community  Council voted  in                                                               
favor of  the bill,  but failed  to mention  that the  South Knik                                                               
River Community Council voted against  the bill.  He relayed that                                                               
for over  20 years, residents  have expressed  concerns regarding                                                               
the following problems  caused by overuse and abuse:   burned and                                                               
abandoned  vehicles;  uncontrolled  gunfire; erosion,  dust,  and                                                               
damage  to  habitat  caused   by  off-road  vehicles;  pollution;                                                               
abandoned campfires;  poaching; wildlife and fish  harassment and                                                               
disturbance;   and  trespassing.     He   recommended  that   the                                                               
legislature  reject  this bill,  which  would  allow for  a  more                                                               
extensive public review process  before approving any legislation                                                               
for this  critical area.   He  said the Knik  River area  and its                                                               
residents deserve much  better than a public use area.   He said,                                                               
"Now's the opportunity  to pave the way for  wise and sustainable                                                               
use,  instead of  the  take-what-you-can [and]  give-nothing-back                                                               
attitude  so  prevalent  with  many current  users  and  in  this                                                               
proposed bill."  He said the  state must act on this ever-growing                                                               
problem but HB  307 and [Version I] aren't the  best answers.  He                                                               
suggested that  a State Recreation  Area may be  more appropriate                                                               
for developing solutions.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:46:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PATTI BARBER remarked that with  all of the recent trail closures                                                               
to ATV's and  snowmobiles south of Anchorage, and the  ban in the                                                               
city itself, there  are very few places for a  weekend ride close                                                               
to  home.    She  opined  that HB  307  is  good  insurance  that                                                               
motorized use  won't be eliminated from  this favorite recreation                                                               
area.  She  said the area has been a  popular weekend retreat for                                                               
many diverse  user groups, including hikers  and horseback riders                                                               
and  all  forms of  motorized  use.    Many  of the  trails  were                                                               
originally logging roads or for  hunting or sightseeing, and have                                                               
been  there  for  many  decades.     She  stated  that  motorized                                                               
recreation on  public lands  has been  eliminated, and  this bill                                                               
would keep motorized or non-motorized  activities legal.  Without                                                               
the language  protecting motorized  access, HB 307  wouldn't have                                                               
the  support  of the  very  large  and organized  motorized  user                                                               
group.   She stated that one  of the reasons for  the creation of                                                               
the Knik  River Public Use Area  is the problem of  trash and car                                                               
burning.   She further opined  that people who litter  or destroy                                                               
vehicles in this  area should be prosecuted.   She suggested that                                                               
littering laws be enforced, rather than being used as a threat.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:48:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOHN NYSTROM, Board Member, Knik  River Community Council, stated                                                               
that this will be a tall  task to satisfy everyone as the passion                                                               
and verbal pummeling  has evidenced.  He stated  that there seems                                                               
to  be reasonable  compatibility with  people being  able to  use                                                               
this area  for the general enjoyment  of the great outdoors.   In                                                               
more recent years,  however, there has been much more  use of the                                                               
area.   There are more  incidents now of  indiscriminant shooting                                                               
that directly affect his neighbors,  and vehicle burning and junk                                                               
dumping are  a concern for everyone.   He stated that  this issue                                                               
needs  to be  addressed  in  an organized  direction  and not  as                                                               
another  land lock-up.    Many South  Knik  River residents  view                                                               
Representative Stoltze's work as a  viable step in dealing with a                                                               
myriad of concerns.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:50:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KENNETH BARBER  stated that he  believes in and supports  HB 307.                                                               
He expressed  his belief  that the  bill includes  protection for                                                               
habitat as well as enforcement for the area.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:52:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JEAN WOODS  expressed her  belief in the  multiple use  of public                                                               
lands by  all of the  public.  She  said traditional use  of fish                                                               
and wildlife  should be allowed,  making management of  this area                                                               
by the  Alaska Department of  Fish &  Game (ADF&G) logical.   She                                                               
stated that  the creation of the  Knik River Public Use  Area, as                                                               
outlined in [Version  I], would allow all of the  public to enjoy                                                               
the full  range of activities, including  off-road opportunities.                                                               
She  offered that  the key  to a  successful public  use area  is                                                               
responsible users and public safety enforcement.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:53:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NOEL WOODS  expressed concern regarding enforcement  in the area,                                                               
which  he suggested  be  dealt  with by  an  additional piece  of                                                               
legislation.  He said that he supports HB 307 as written.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:54:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHARLOTTE  SARTOR said  the  Butte area  is  a divided  community                                                               
where a large percentage of  the residents don't feel represented                                                               
by  the current  community council.   A  special recreation  area                                                               
designation,  rather than  a  public use  area,  would allow  for                                                               
easier  enforcement and  follow the  recommendations of  previous                                                               
studies.   She  said, "But  action's  needed, so  we should  work                                                               
together for changes to make  this bill an effective compromise."                                                               
She  said that  she opposes  HB 307  as written  because it  just                                                               
continues the status quo.   She expressed her support regarding a                                                               
management  plan, shooting  safety, and  enforcement.   She noted                                                               
that  her  comments  are  directed   toward  [Version  I].    She                                                               
suggested inserting  "and non-motorized recreation  determined to                                                               
be compatible  with (1) and (2)  of this section" in  the purpose                                                               
section on  page 1, following  line 14.  She  suggested including                                                               
workshops,  a   citizen  advisory  board,  and   a  deadline  for                                                               
implementing  the management  plan in  the management  section on                                                               
page 2, within  lines 5-11.  She commented  that the incompatible                                                               
uses section on page 2 and 3  has many problems.  She said, "It's                                                               
contradictory and  ineffective."  She  referred to page  2, lines                                                               
21-22,  which reads,  "Except as  provided in  this section,  the                                                               
commissioner  may prohibit  or restrict  uses" and  surmised that                                                               
the result  is that  the commissioner can't  regulate any  use or                                                               
existing trail,  even if it's  detrimental to the purposes.   She                                                               
further  suggested inserting  "as  compatible  with purposes"  on                                                               
page  3,  line  6.    She  remarked that  all  uses  need  to  be                                                               
compatible with the purposes and  that it's not necessary to list                                                               
every activity.  In regard  to off-road motor vehicle trails, she                                                               
suggested deleting "recognize the  existing" and insert "allow as                                                               
compatible with purposes"  on page 3, line 11.   In regard to the                                                               
enforcement authority section on page  3, she said the need can't                                                               
be  over-emphasized, and  she wants  to ensure  that the  wording                                                               
allows  for   timely  enforcement,   suggested  funding   is  not                                                               
adequate.   She  described the  area as  wonderful because  it is                                                               
scenic, abundant with wildlife, and  close to a large population.                                                               
She concluded,  "We desperately  need a  bill that  addresses the                                                               
problem and  ensures continued  use for  all without  ruining it.                                                               
So without further changes, this bill should not be passed."                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:57:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CECILY  FRITZ, Chair,  Knik River  Watershed  Group, agreed  with                                                               
Representative  Stoltze's  comment  on  Monday that  a  few  more                                                               
changes are needed.   She referred to page 2,  lines 21-22, which                                                               
reads, "Except as provided in  this section, the commissioner may                                                               
prohibit or restrict uses determined  to be incompatible" and the                                                               
page  3, lines  5-10  lists  every use  as  an  exception to  the                                                               
incompatible uses  management tool.   She noted that  there could                                                               
be no  restrictions, even  if the  use contradicted  the purposes                                                               
listed  on  page  1.    She stated  that  page  3,  lines  11-16,                                                               
circumvents  planning and  management,  and  it ignores  wildlife                                                               
resources  and the  many concerns  of area  residents.   She said                                                               
that  this  should be  left  to  the comprehensive  planning  and                                                               
management  process.   Both of  those  problems can  be fixed  by                                                               
adding the  clause "as  compatible with  purposes".   She relayed                                                               
that  existing  statutes, such  as  those  for Hatcher  Pass  and                                                               
Nelchina,  have a  "why-where-when-how standard"  for determining                                                               
incompatible  uses.   To  ensure  that  the  uses are  not  over-                                                               
regulated, she  suggested that similar  wording be added  to this                                                               
bill.  She said, "While admirably  ensuring ORV use as is done in                                                               
the section 1 on purposes,  please do not forsake the outstanding                                                               
resource values  as noted in  several plans  and studies."   As a                                                               
result of the awesome, and  sometimes more appropriate, areas for                                                               
non-motorized  use,   the  deteriorating  quality  of   life  for                                                               
immediate area  residents, and  the explosive  growth in  use and                                                               
population,   the  commissioner   needs  every   management  tool                                                               
available, not the restrictive management in the current bill.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:59:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DOT  HELM recognized  the need  for motorized  recreation in  the                                                               
area.  She said that  granting equal opportunity to non-motorized                                                               
[users] would be appreciated.   She suggested inserting "and non-                                                               
motorized" before "opportunities" on page  1, line 14.  In regard                                                               
to  the  potential grandfathering  of  the  existing trails,  she                                                               
stated that some  have been motorized for a while  and that's not                                                               
problematic.  She relayed that  it might be necessary to re-route                                                               
a  trail  to  ensure  its  sustainability.    Access  to  private                                                               
property or mining claims would be maintained.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:01:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JAY CROSS  noted the absence  of vegetation  on the flats  of the                                                               
area.   He  opined that  this  bill doesn't  address the  problem                                                               
which will occur in the next few  years.  He said, "I think there                                                               
are other  ways of addressing this  right now.  I  just don't see                                                               
this bill as being the right vehicle right now."                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:04:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIT LIVELY had her testimony read by Robert Howard as follows:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Brit   represents  the   Butte  area   residents  civic                                                                    
     organization  and is  opposed to  HB 307,  but supports                                                                    
     responsible multiple  use.  For background,  last year,                                                                    
     area  residents asked  [Representative]  Stoltze for  a                                                                    
     plan to help  protect us and our  surroundings from the                                                                    
     destructive   effects   of  irresponsible   recreation,                                                                    
     including   motorized.     Instead,  motorized   groups                                                                    
     statewide banded  together as  AOAA with AOC  and wrote                                                                    
     HB 307 to manage the  area for motorized recreation and                                                                    
     additional  unrestricted  access, which  Representative                                                                    
     Stoltze, director at-large of  AOC, introduced on their                                                                    
     behalf, without  working with residents.   Because none                                                                    
     of you can  imagine life in the Butte  unless you spend                                                                    
     a  weekend  with us  to  experience  the terrible  side                                                                    
     effects  of unrestricted  motor recreation,  we implore                                                                    
     you  to  study the  material  we  took to  your  Juneau                                                                    
     offices as well as  the thoughtful letters you received                                                                    
     before deciding  the fate of  our community.   Take the                                                                    
     time and let  us show you how we see  things here.  You                                                                    
     are  the  governing  stewards  of  our  lands  and  our                                                                    
     waters,  which we  are so  richly blessed  with in  the                                                                    
     Knik  River  valley.   They  are  indeed our  biblical,                                                                    
     blessed waters because they give  and sustain life.  We                                                                    
     understand  that   you  are  under  much   pressure  to                                                                    
     (indisc.) everyone.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. LIVELY'S testimony continued:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Fortunately, you  have the Alaska statutes  and the DNR                                                                    
     mission statement  to guide you "to  develop, conserve,                                                                    
     and enhance  natural resources  for present  and future                                                                    
     Alaskans."  HB 307...public use  area does not.  Only a                                                                    
     state   recreation  area   can  as   for  the   HB  307                                                                    
     deficiencies submitted  in writing.   The  major reason                                                                    
     is based on  DNR's mission where the purpose  of HB 307                                                                    
     should  have  the  paragraphs reversed.    If  you  put                                                                    
     recreation   ahead  of   protection   of  habitat   and                                                                    
     wildlife, along  with the  limited enforcement  in this                                                                    
     legislation, you may well end  up with a gravel pit and                                                                    
     a  dust bowl  extending beyond  the boundaries  of this                                                                    
     public  use area,  considering that  1-3,000 people  on                                                                    
     motors  are   using  this   area  on   sunny  weekends.                                                                    
     Purpose,  page  1,  lines  7-12   should  read:    "(1)                                                                    
     perpetuate, mitigate,  protect, and  maintain migratory                                                                    
     waterfowl nesting  areas and fish and  wildlife habitat                                                                    
     for  sustaining and  enhancing  (A) traditional  public                                                                    
     use  of  fish  and  wildlife  populations;  (B)  public                                                                    
     enjoyment and recreation".   Our small community should                                                                    
     not  have  to suffer  the  entire  burden of  motorized                                                                    
     recreation  for southcentral  Alaska, where  we already                                                                    
     endure  the  racetrack noise  every  weekend  up to  12                                                                    
     hours a day  all summer from May to Labor  Day.  Add to                                                                    
     that the  noise and  much other  detrimental activities                                                                    
     described by others during this  hearing it is just too                                                                    
     much.  Please help  our community discard the prevalent                                                                    
     perception of  "who cares, it's the  Butte" and provide                                                                    
     a  strong   framework  of   a  state   recreation  area                                                                    
     designation, which will give  us the respect we deserve                                                                    
     and the wings we need to soar to new heights.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STOLTZE said  his office  wrote the  legislation.                                                               
He said he was a member of  AOC, but hasn't been since last fall.                                                               
He  left because  his participation  and  attendance was  "pretty                                                               
spotty."   He said,  "I have been  a member in  the past,  but am                                                               
not, just for the record."  He added, "Or director."                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ROBERT HOWARD  stated that  he strongly  supports the  Butte area                                                               
resident's civic organization in  developing an [state recreation                                                               
area]; the problems  out there are way too complex  to solve with                                                               
the simplistic approach.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:09:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PATRICK O'CONNOR stated that he  strongly supports this bill.  He                                                               
said that  he feels that the  state should not only  open up this                                                               
area, but open up more areas for people to utilize.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:11:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BILL FOLSOM stated  that he's definitely in favor of  HB 307.  He                                                               
relayed his loss of access to  some Native land and remarked that                                                               
he  has not  seen  any loss  of access  for  hikers, skiers,  and                                                               
backpackers.  He said, incrementally,  over the last 40 years, he                                                               
has seen  loss of  access for  motorized use.   The area  will be                                                               
utilized for years to come, and no one has been excluded.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:13:11 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROD  ARNO,  Executive  Director, Alaska  Outdoor  Council  (AOC),                                                               
informed the  committee that AOC  represents over  10,000 outdoor                                                               
users -  hunters, fishers, and  people who like to  access public                                                               
lands.    He  stated  that   AOC  supports  the  CS  and  thanked                                                               
Representative Stoltze "for putting this  together."  He the Knik                                                               
River Valley is  changing due to urban sprawl, and  this piece of                                                               
public land sits  at the edge of that sprawl.   There's plenty in                                                               
this  legislation  to  continue  the protection  of  habitat  and                                                               
traditional access.   He said  the big issue is  enforcement, and                                                               
"nothing could be  more better spent from the state  right now in                                                               
enforcement."    Every  cent  that   goes  into  increasing  that                                                               
enforcement  makes  the  natural   resources  that  [Alaska]  has                                                               
sustainable.   He  said that  Article 8,  Section 3  says "common                                                               
use", which  means that state  lands close to urban  areas should                                                               
be open for the public to use.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO  asked, "What is  the likely result  if this                                                               
bill didn't exist and we did nothing?"                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. ARNO answered, "We would not  bring the attention to the area                                                               
that it  needs to get  the enforcement that  we need to  stop the                                                               
arson, vandalism, and the habitat  destruction."  He said there's                                                               
going to be a broad  constituency in southcentral Alaska who will                                                               
continue to advocate for funding for enforcement.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:16:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PETE PROBASCO stated  that he fully supports HB 307;  it's a very                                                               
good bill and it needs to be  passed.  He surmised that this bill                                                               
would  allow  for  more   systematic  enforcement  and  necessary                                                               
organization.    He  further  surmised  that  there  will  be  an                                                               
opportunity to penalize  those who don't abide by  the rules, but                                                               
still allow  the kind of  public access  by the general  users of                                                               
this area.  He opined that  it's very important to protect access                                                               
and  that  there are  too  many  restricted  areas already.    He                                                               
remarked that it's important that  the public be able to practice                                                               
the multiple use that's prescribed  for [the area].  He concluded                                                               
that it's  important that the area  isn't locked up and  that's a                                                               
problem that he foresees the legislation doesn't go forward.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:17:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RANDY OWENS discussed the activities  he takes part in - hunting,                                                               
fishing, trapping,  and logging -  in the  area.  He  opined that                                                               
it's necessary to have an area where people can go and play.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:19:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BILL BARBER supports HB 307  and opined that [Alaska] should have                                                               
a place where motorized vehicles [are allowed].                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:20:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
STANLEY  CARTER said  he  was  a member  of  the Butte  Community                                                               
Council for eight  years and was president for two  years.  "It's                                                               
my consensus  that 70 percent of  the people in the  Butte wanted                                                               
this area  kept open.  It's  a fine recreation area,  and most of                                                               
us are in favor of HB 307."                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:21:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
GARY  DORSEY,  President,  South Knik  River  Community  Council,                                                               
reiterated  that  the  council  voted down  HB  307  as  written.                                                               
Speaking  for  himself,  he  said  the  CS  doesn't  address  the                                                               
problems.   Most people  on South Knik  River weren't  aware that                                                               
the border  cut right  through the  Knik River  residential area.                                                               
He said  nobody seems  to want  to be included  in this  land use                                                               
area no  matter what the  end results  are.  He  recommended that                                                               
the  border, township  16 north,  range  4 east,  be modified  to                                                               
remove all lands  south of Knik River, which is  residential.  He                                                               
said the entire  section, township 15 north, range  4 east, south                                                               
of that, should be deleted entirely  because it has no purpose as                                                               
a  designated  land use  area.    He  suggested the  deletion  of                                                               
township 17  north, range 3  east entirely.  The  remaining land,                                                               
which is  vast and can  be easily  accessed from the  Butte area,                                                               
should be made  a public use area with some  adjustments.  It has                                                               
been recommended,  both by DNR and  the Matanuska-Susitna Borough                                                               
Coastal Management Plan,  that township 17 north be  made a state                                                               
recreation area in separate legislation.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON requested a copy of the delineations.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STOLTZE asked  him  to call  his  office, "but  I                                                               
can't guarantee  that there be  another area  designation created                                                               
by this  or any future  legislature.  So  I just want  to...do my                                                               
best to comply with what residential wishes are."                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:25:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  RAMRAS thanked  the  testifiers and  the  sponsor.   He                                                               
closed public testimony.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE  said he  continues to  be open  to public                                                               
input.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
[HB 307 was held over]                                                                                                          

Document Name Date/Time Subjects