Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/02/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
---|---|
Start | |
SB100 | |
SB159 | |
SB151 | |
SB226 | |
SB179 | |
SB210 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= | SB 100 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 159 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SB 226 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 179 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+ | SB 221 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SCR 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 192 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 159 "An Act establishing the Susitna State Forest; and providing for an effective date." 9:34:23 AM SENATOR LINDA MENARD, introduced SB 159. She referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file). The Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 159 will establish a new Susitna State Forest from state lands presently used for timber harvest and exclude private in-holdings from the proposed forest. Further, this CS includes intent language that urges the governor to work to acquire or purchase forest land in the Tongass National Forest. With a state forest designation, the Division of Forestry will be able to manage for a long-term supply of timber to local processors, and retain the land in state ownership for multiple uses. The Susitna State Forest would be the fourth state forest established in Alaska, joining the Haines State Forest, the Tanana Valley State Forest and the Southeast State Forest. The proposed Susitna State Forest includes 33 parcels totaling approximately 763,200 acres. The parcels are Forestry classified lands located in 14 large management blocks listed below. The Division of Forestry worked with the Division of Mining, Land, and Water Management to identify and exclude lands that are priorities for the state land disposal program. In the region where the State Forest is proposed, timber sales and personal use sales for fuel wood are growing steadily. Local mills depend on state timber for their raw material supply, and there is a growing interest in the use of wood in the form of round wood, chips or wood pellets for both commercial and residential space heating. The state is committed to long-term management solutions by: -maximizing the sustainable supply of timber from the state timber base; -developing access and encouraging a broad range of multiple uses on state forest lands including motorized uses; -providing economic opportunities to the communities, businesses and residents of the region. Legislatively designating a State Forest would ensure that some land will remain available for long-term forest management and the region will retain large open spaces of public lands for the range of benefits residents of the region currently enjoy. It will also allow for mining on state forest land. The Susitna State Forest would be managed as part of the State Forest System under AS 41.17.200-.230. Lands in the State Forest would continue to be open for multiple uses, including wildlife habitat and harvest and recreational activities. Senator Menard stated that the current version of the bill provided exclusions for the private land within the proposed boundaries of the State Forests. She stated that there was work with the Division of Forestry and the Division of Land Water and Mining to locate and designate the exclusions. The exclusions had been precisely examined for accuracy. The current version also added intent language on page 31 that urged the governor to acquire or purchase land from the Tongass National Forest. From a fiscal standpoint, the Division of Forestry would not require new positions to administer the State Forests. She remarked that the fiscal note from the Division of Forestry displayed no negative financial impact to the State. Co-Chair Stedman pointed out the one zero fiscal note from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Senator Thomas surmised that the new designation did not change any existing uses of the land, but only enhanced the forestry aspect. Senator Menard agreed with Senator Thomas's estimation. 9:40:22 AM Senator Olson wondered if there was input from any local property areas in the proposed area. Senator Menard replied that she had not heard any opposition from nearby property owners. Senator Olson wondered if the local people knew of the proposal. He specifically wondered if property owners who were currently harvesting wood for personal use would still be able to obtain wood in that manner. Senator Menard replied that property owners would still be able to harvest the wood, as long as the property owner had a permit. CHRIS MAISCH, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF FORESTRY, JUNEAU, emphasized that the state forest lands were managed under the State Forests, Resources, and Practices Act, which was primarily designed to protect fish habitat and water quality. A recent forest inventory was completed on the proposed area, as required by statute, and that information was available on the State's Division of Forestry website. He emphasized that the designation would not change any current activities that were allowed in state forests, and furthered that, over time, many of those activities would be enhanced. He stressed that there was a requirement to develop access to the proposed state forest, which would be the result of many meetings. 9:45:49 AM OWEN GRAHAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA FOREST ASSOCIATION, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified in support of SB 159. He felt that the land could be used for a much improved timber supply for the local mills. He remarked that the Alaska Forest Association member owned a small mill that had been idle for the recent years. He relayed a similar problem in Southeast Alaska, because the federal government controlled more than 90 percent of the timber supply in Southeast. He stressed that when the federal government "took away" the timber supply, 85 percent of timber employment was lost. RICK ROGERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), voiced support of SB 159. He felt that the proposed state forest would provide a much needed benefit to the local economy; and create and sustain much needed jobs in the forest products industry. He also voiced support of the amendment to the bill, which helped address the critical timber supply issues in Southeast Alaska. Senator Thomas noted the wide variety of letters from various organizations. He wondered if there was a letter from the "National Marmot Association." Senator Menard urged support of SB 159. SB 159 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.