Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/06/2004 09:10 AM House CRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS
STANDING COMMITTEE
April 6, 2004
9:10 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Carl Morgan, Chair
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Ralph Samuels
Representative Sharon Cissna
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kelly Wolf, Vice Chair
Representative Tom Anderson
Representative Albert Kookesh
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 308
"An Act related to exchanging public land for privately held
riverbank and stream bank lands."
- MOVED HB 308 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 308
SHORT TITLE: EXCHANGE PUBLIC LAND FOR STREAM BANK LAND
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) GARA
05/08/03 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/08/03 (H) CRA, RES
03/04/04 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 124
03/04/04 (H) Heard & Held
03/04/04 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/06/04 (H) CRA AT 9:00 AM CAPITOL 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as the sponsor of HB 308.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 04-11, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR CARL MORGAN called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
Representatives Morgan, Kott, Samuels, and Cissna were present
at the call to order.
HB 308-EXCHANGE PUBLIC LAND FOR STREAM BANK LAND
CHAIR MORGAN announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 308, "An Act related to exchanging public land
for privately held riverbank and stream bank lands."
Number 0071
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB
308, said that he would appreciate the committee members
reporting HB 308 from committee so that he can educate as many
members of the House as possible. This legislation would
educate folks with regard to the concept that public access
along fishing streams is going to be lost. He acknowledged that
HB 308 has a large fiscal note, but informed the committee that
the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) has agreed to work
with him over the summer in order to develop the most efficient
way to preserve public access along Alaska's riverbanks.
Representative Gara informed the committee that the concept of
trading privately held land to obtain public access to streams
and riverbanks is supported within ADF&G. However, there has to
be a way to do so without such a high price tag.
Number 0184
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked if the state has ever had any
provision with regard to access to streams, rivers, and other
water frontage.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA replied that the state has done a good job,
and therefore the state has public access rights along most
state lands. However, there are no public access rights for
pre-statehood private lands, federal lands, and private lands
conveyed to private parties before the mid 1970s. There are
many classes of land for which there is no public access,
including most of the lands along some of the more popular Parks
Highway streams. For example, those lands with no public access
include parts of Willow Creek, Montana Creek, Anchor River, and
Copper River. He pointed out that the state has only required
public access to and along lands since the 1970s.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA surmised then that those using those
rivers and streams would be trespassing.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA replied yes, noting that much of the land
hasn't been developed yet.
Number 0426
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA pointed out that access is an issue for a
state that relies on tourism, and therefore before these lands
are developed is the time to think about it.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA replied yes, adding that after the land is
developed it will be too expensive for the state to get back.
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS announced that he agreed with the concept
of HB 308.
Number 0506
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS moved to report HB 308 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 308 was reported from the
House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 9:14 a.m.
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