Legislature(2009 - 2010)
04/14/2010 03:19 PM Senate FIN
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SB4 | |
HB280 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 4 "An Act relating to the Alaska coastal management program; and establishing the Alaska Coastal Policy Board." 3:19:43 PM LARRY HARTIG, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, stated that the bill is important to the committee, as well as to the sponsors. The Department of Environmental Conservation works with the North Slope Borough and other communities on Village Safe Water Projects. He stressed that the department understands how important this bill is to rural communities and to all Alaskans. He related that the bill provides for a fundamental change in state policy to allow for the transfer of Alaskan resource projects from state agencies to local boards. He expressed respect for the community leaders in coastal communities, but maintained that the department has a fundamental difference in policy. Commissioner Hartig emphasized that the state believes that the decisions on major projects, like oil, gas, and port projects, must reside with state agencies. One reason for this belief is fairness throughout the state. The same rules should apply to every community. Every Alaskan is entitled to the same level of environmental protection and each community should have the same standards in order to be assured of protection from the consequences from a project. He stated that the department has research and studies available to them. He noted that the projects are not easy and come with a lot of pressure and opposing interests. He maintained that fair, open, and impartial decisions would be difficult to make at a community level. Mr. Hartig concluded that the bottom line, with a shift in policy that SB 4 represents, is that the administration does not support transferring the authority and creating the risk just described. 3:24:45 PM Mr. Hartig reported that the governor and the administration would like to see communication continue, but does not see the legislation as the vehicle toward the objective because of the differences in philosophy as to how decisions are made. The department could not come to terms with the language in the bill. He wished to keep communication open. He spoke of respect for local issues. Co-Chair Hoffman took issue with the words "continue the dialogue" saying that he had requested dialogue with the governor's office, as has the mayor of the North Slope Borough, and no dialogue has taken place. He suggested that the dialogue needs to begin. He asked what changes in Version S need to be addressed. 3:27:15 PM Mr. Hartig maintained that the governor's door is always open. He thought there was a misunderstanding and he apologized. As far as changes, until the administration comes to terms with the philosophical underpinnings, especially regarding large resource projects that affect the whole state, not much can be accomplished. He did not want to close the door on communication. Senator Olson thanked the commissioner for coming. He thought it was not a good indication of the administration's good will to not have a representative in the discussion. He stressed that prior to 2003 when the Coastal Management Plan was gutted, there was plenty of development money. He wanted to get back to the previous model. He talked about the issue of fairness. He emphasized the level of frustration felt by his district. 3:30:47 PM Senator Olson MOVED to report CSSB 4 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Senator Huggins OBJECTED for discussion purposes. He commented on the extreme frustration regarding this legislation. Senator Huggins WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 4 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do not pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the Department of Revenue and a new fiscal note by the Department of Environmental Conservation. RECESSED 3:33:14 PM RECONVENED 5:16:58 PM
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