Legislature(2013 - 2014)BARNES 124
02/04/2014 11:15 AM House ECON. DEV., TRADE & TOURISM
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Alaska Arctic Policy Commission | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND
TOURISM
SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE
February 4, 2014
11:17 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND
TOURISM
Representative Shelley Hughes, Chair
Representative Lynn Gattis
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Pete Higgins
Representative Lance Pruitt
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Geran Tarr
SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE
Senator Gary Stevens, Chair
Senator Lesil McGuire, Vice Chair
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND
TOURISM
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Kurt Olson
SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE
Senator Charlie Huggins
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Senator Lyman Hoffman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: ALASKA ARCTIC POLICY COMMISSION
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
No witnesses to record
ACTION NARRATIVE
11:17:28 AM
CHAIR GARY STEVENS called the joint meeting of the House Special
Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism and the
Senate Special Committee on World Trade to order at 11:17 a.m.
Present at the call to order from the Senate Special Committee
on World Trade were Senators McGuire, Micciche, Gardner, and
Stevens. Chair Stevens handed the gavel to Chair Hughes.
CHAIR SHELLEY HUGHES noted those present from the House Special
Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism at the call
to order were Representatives Higgins, Drummond, Herron, and
Hughes. Representatives Pruitt, Gattis and Tarr arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
^PRESENTATION: ALASKA ARCTIC POLICY COMMISSION
PRESENTATION: ALASKA ARCTIC POLICY COMMISSION
11:18:27 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced that the only order of business would be
a report from Senator McGuire and Representative Herron, co-
chairs of the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission.
11:18:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said he was proud to deliver to the
legislature the Preliminary Report of the Alaska Arctic Policy
Commission (AAPC). The report today will highlight the
accomplishments of AAPC since its beginning in March of 2013.
He displayed AAPC's logo, which was a map showing Alaska's
important location in the Arctic that makes the U.S. an Arctic
nation, and ensures that Alaska will continue to play a key role
in Arctic policy. He paraphrased from page 3 of the Executive
Summary of the AAPC Preliminary Report to the Alaska State
Legislature as follows:
As fellow Alaskans, we know you recognize that with
increasing activity in the region comes both risk and
opportunity. But, we cannot let the perceptions of
others determine our future, Alaska's future.
11:21:00 AM
SENATOR MCGUIRE appreciated today's coverage of this important
subject by Gavel to Gavel public television. She expressed the
hope of AAPC co-chairs and commissioners that 2014 will be the
Year of the Arctic in Alaska, because the Arctic is the future
for the next two generations of Alaskans. In fact, the Arctic
is the last great unexplored place of mystery, magic, and
opportunity on Earth, as were the moon and space during the
1960s. At this time of policy-making in the Arctic - in a
manner similar to the race to the moon - the U.S. has
competitors and/or partners in Russia, China, and Canada.
Senator McGuire said the public is asked to join with the
legislature "on this journey," as did sixteen public member
experts who serve on AAPC along with the following ten members
of the legislature: Senator McGuire, Representative Herron,
Senator Hoffman, Senator Stevens, Senator Giessel, Senator
Olson, Representative Austerman, former Representative Kerttula,
Representative Neuman, and Representative Edgmon. The AAPC
preliminary report contains sixteen policy recommendations and
four vision statements which can be reviewed at web site
www.akarctic.com, along with the summary and the one-hundred-
thirty page report prepared by subcommittees. The final report
is due 1/30/15, and she urged the public and legislators to
comment on the preliminary report. This is especially important
as the U.S. prepares to take the chairmanship of the Arctic
Council that is currently held by Canada. Senator McGuire
pointed out that in this case Alaska is "on time" to define its
destiny in the Arctic; as a matter of fact, this may be the
first time the state has not been in a negative position when it
comes to federal policy affecting Alaska. Moreover, Alaska can
talk about Arctic policy with optimism, because AAPC was
successful in its participation with [the federal strategic team
from the Administration of the White House, Office of Science
and Technology Policy (federal team)]. When AAPC learned the
federal team scheduled the release of its implementation plan by
June, 2013, AAPC immediately opened lines of communication with
officials of the federal team by meeting weekly by phone, and in
person in Unalaska. As a result, the release of the [National
Strategy for the Arctic Region (NSAR) Implementation Plan
(implementation plan)] by the White House was delayed until
1/30/14, and AAPC was able to issue its Alaska policy on the
same day. She acknowledged that NSAR has gaps, but explained
that this is a good example of representatives of state
government working with the federal government in a role not
originally envisioned by AAPC.
SENATOR MCGUIRE then directed attention to the PowerPoint
presentation entitled, "Alaska Arctic Policy Commission," dated
2/4/14, and said of the four million people living in the
Arctic, 2,089,000 live in the Russian Arctic, 1,280,000 live in
the European Arctic, and 827,000 live in the American Arctic
[slide 1].
11:26:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON pointed out the U.S. definition of the
Arctic follows the courses of the Porcupine, Yukon, and
Kuskokwim Rivers to the Bering Sea [slide 2]. As an aside, he
observed that the area north of this demarcation line may have
been designated a territory at the time of statehood, were it
not for the influence of former Governor Walter Hickel, Robert
Atwood [newspaper publisher] and John Butrovich Jr. [territorial
legislator]. Returning to the presentation, he noted the Bering
Strait and Bering Sea are "a garden" to all Alaskans because of
the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers that bisect the state and
terminate at the Bering Sea. In 2013, several federal reports
were released pertinent to Arctic strategy, and AAPC began to
participate in policy discussions with the federal team [slide
3]. Although there are gaps in the federal strategy, AAPC will
continue to work with the federal team to maintain a good
relationship. In addition, a major focus will be on Arctic
Strategy by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and how to
rewrite how national security - related to the Arctic - is
important to Alaska, and how the state and the U.S. military can
work together for a good Arctic strategy. Calling attention to
the guiding principles of the implementation plan, he pointed
out three lines of effort as follows: Advance U.S. security
interest; Pursue responsible Arctic region stewardship;
Strengthen international cooperation [slide 4]. However, he
stressed that NSAR did not specify an effort towards responsible
development in order to sustain Arctic communities, utilize
Alaskans' talents, and benefit its people.
11:30:44 AM
SENATOR MCGUIRE agreed. In fact, at the first interface in
Barrow with the federal team from Washington, D.C., she offered
for comparison ["A Northern Vision: A Stronger North and a
Better Canada," a document issued by the Governments of Yukon,
Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, Canada]. In stark contrast
to the U.S. implementation plan, the Canadian document focused
on the people of the North, their economy, their future, and how
they are affected by the changing climate. She reiterated that
the focus of the U.S. document was on advancing U.S. security
interests and stewardship of the land and animals, but "no
interrelationship to the people that live off the land and how
they will be influenced in the future as a result of that ...."
Also, references to international cooperation did not include
Alaska. Senator McGuire said pointing out these omissions to
the federal team was received positively and through continuing
dialogue with the team, the goal of AAPC remains "to have the
people considered throughout."
11:32:20 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked whether the federal team has incorporated the
suggestions offered by AAPC, or whether the implementation plan
dated 1/30/14 was issued prior to the suggestions. She
remarked, "You mentioned there were gaps ... I'd like to know
what those gaps are."
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON clarified that he and Senator McGuire are
referring to the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy
for the Arctic Region [the National Strategy for the Arctic
Region (NSAR) was released 5/10/13 by the White House]. The
implementation plan that was released 1/30/14 by the White House
calls for "listening sessions," beginning 2/13/14 in Anchorage.
At the listening sessions the federal team will meet with
Alaskans and solicit topics for the chairmanship of the Arctic
Council. This fall, the federal team will review its findings
and negotiate with the other seven nations that are members of
the Arctic Council on the proposed themes. He advised that the
time for Alaskans to work with the federal team on themes for
the Arctic Council is this spring and summer. In fact,
Representative Herron seeks to encourage legislators and
Alaskans from all over the state to attend the listening
sessions and influence the choice of themes, thus dovetailing
Alaska's interests with those of the federal government.
11:35:03 AM
SENATOR MCGUIRE stated AAPC will provide a schedule of the
aforementioned hearings so legislators can testify in person or
by phone. Also, AAPC will provide legislators copies of a
current draft of the implementation plan for their review, a
draft of gaps in the strategy that have been identified at this
point, and for comparison, copies of Canada's "A Northern
Vision," and Norway's statement of vision for the Arctic.
11:36:28 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked whether AAPC will propose a theme for the
upcoming chairmanship or is in the process of collecting ideas.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON responded that the governor has contacted
the White House and outlined his priorities related to the
Arctic. Although the legislative branch supports the governor,
he opined the legislature needs to share "our view of the
world." At the listening sessions, Alaskans can provide the
team local information that may not have been considered
previously.
SENATOR MCGUIRE added that the themes emerging thus far are
reflected in the four vision statements and the sixteen policy
statements in the AAPC preliminary report. She acknowledged
that the legislature should not issue statements inconsistent
with those of the executive branch, but the state has a history
of communicating policy on many subjects from both branches of
government. She expressed her belief that themes will come from
all branches of government and from individual legislators as
well.
11:39:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON identified four groups of Alaskans that
are permanent participants of the Arctic Council and that are
presently advocating for Alaska at the council level and in
working groups: Inuit Circumpolar Conference; Arctic Athabaskan
Council; Gwich'in Council International; and Aleut International
Association.
SENATOR MCGUIRE recalled that AAPC first met in Juneau with
twenty-six members who proved to be a dedicated group of
hardworking Alaskans from the public and the legislature: five
Senators, five Representatives, one executive branch member, and
fifteen public members appointed jointly by the President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House. Members were divided into
subject matter groups led by lawmakers and those with expertise.
Initially, AAPC worked for Alaskans by providing a public forum
for compiling Arctic issues, and it continues to hold public
meetings with information posted on its web site. Also, AAPC
sets guiding Arctic policy principles for possible inclusion
into state statute, and will create the AAPC final report to
inform the public and future policy-makers. Another important
part of the AAPC mission is how to work with the federal
government, as Alaskans need greater influence on Arctic policy.
She said it is important to work positively to influence the
federal government on Arctic policy and to maintain awareness of
federal overreach; Senator McGuire acknowledged that the Obama
Administration has engaged very proactively with AAPC on this
matter. Prior to the preliminary report, AAPC sent a letter of
intent that included the following key assumptions: state
leadership and experience are valuable; the need for
federal/state/local collaboration; the need for international
engagement and governance; and the following eight areas of
consideration: indigenous perspectives and priorities;
governance; oil, gas, and mineral exploration and development;
science and research; energy; planning and infrastructure;
security and marine transportation; fisheries.
11:42:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON displayed four pictures, saying they
represent values held dear by Alaskans: salmon; a thriving
culture; safety and security for the state; economic development
and a healthy environment; transparency and inclusion into
decision-making. He recalled testimony from a seven-hour
meeting in Barrow, and said that all of those testifying
preferred opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to
drilling before exploring for oil in the Chukchi and Beaufort
Seas.
SENATOR MCGUIRE relayed the federal team heard the elders in
Barrow express their appreciation for the opportunity to speak
at the beginning of the meeting, and also heard overwhelming
testimony - not in opposition to drilling in the Chukchi and
Beaufort Seas - but pointing out that exploration in the Arctic
is unknown, and drilling in areas similar to the coastal plain
in ANWR has been done successfully for 50 years. These points
were made "by the local people that live there, and have the
most at stake," she said.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON referred back to the strategic
recommendations, and restated that members of AAPC were assigned
to work on specific teams [slide 12]. The Barrow meeting was
the highest attended of all of the statewide meetings [slide
13]. In Unalaska, residents demonstrated to all of the visitors
that the Bering Sea is of key importance to the Arctic and to
the well-being of the state [slide 14].
11:45:43 AM
SENATOR MCGUIRE stressed that, but for Alaska, the U.S. would
not be an Arctic nation, and Alaska cannot be separated from its
Arctic region; thus all residents are mutually dependent.
Although there have been divisions between rural and urban
communities, at the meeting in Unalaska, awareness was raised
among AAPC members when they saw that the opening of the ice in
the Northwest Passage and the Arctic is changing the face of all
of Alaska. For example, one exploratory well required twenty-
two support vessels in a port that processes 709 tons of
pollock; a boon in development will bring to the community and
port the impact of additional pressure on housing and living
costs. As policy-makers, the benefit to the people is part of
the management of opportunities for development.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON stated Unalaska and Dutch Harbor process
nearly a billion tons of seafood. Meetings were also held in
Adak, a former U.S. Navy base that is of key importance to the
futures of the Arctic and Alaska, and in Bethel, because
"whatever happens in the Bering Sea is going to affect most of
Alaska through [the tributaries of the Yukon and Kuskokwim
Rivers] [slides 15 and 16]. The key element of Nome is its
location near Port Clarence, and the infrastructure needed
related to search and rescue and oil pollution, in order to
ensure safe passage of ships through the Bering Strait.
SENATOR MCGUIRE encouraged legislators to consider that Port
Clarence and Nome are the first places the federal government
has conducted meaningful feasibility studies, and made movement
toward investment in Arctic infrastructure.
11:50:15 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked whether there is concern that federal
permits for deep water ports cannot be obtained after [Alaska's
withdrawal from the National Coastal Zone Management Program on
7/1/11].
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said yes. He opined that a part of AAPC's
message to fellow legislators is to understand the Arctic and
one component is how it affects coastal zone management. The
program probably should be reexamined internally so that
legislators can understand how coastal zone management is
important to infrastructure, and the protection of Alaska's
shores. In further response to Senator Gardner's question, he
offered to research whether the state must have a coastal zone
management program in order to obtain permits for a deep water
port.
11:52:19 AM
CHAIR STEVENS recalled this subject was a major part of the
discussion over the withdrawal from the coastal zone management
program, and those in support of the program clearly lost;
however, residents of the Arctic are the most concerned, and he
agreed that the issue deserves to be revisited.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON expressed his desire for clarification [on
whether the state will have to have a coastal zone management
program in place]. He returned to the presentation and informed
the committee the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is the
leading university in the world in the amount of research done
on the Arctic. Although UAF obtains grant funds, it is clear
the legislature needs to continue to invest in the university.
11:54:11 AM
SENATOR MCGUIRE further pointed out that at the meeting in
Fairbanks, residents indicated that the community was more
Arctic-aware after the meeting. Also, discussion at the meeting
brought up the value of models such as the DEC and Yukon-Koyukuk
Tribal Communications Protocol, which was a collaborative effort
by Yukon-Koyukuk Tribes of Alaska, the Environmental Protection
Agency and the Department of Environmental Conservation. This
model provides other ways that - in the absence of coastal zone
management - government agencies can communicate with Tribal
governments and local communities in culturally sensitive ways,
to benefit from local knowledge. As an aside, she noted that
AAPC's focus is on Arctic policy, like economic opportunity, but
it also creates a social opportunity to understand more about
residents who live in northern climates and who may suffer from
certain deficiencies and afflictions at disproportionate rates.
In partnership with universities, AAPC seeks to make Alaska a
better place for people to live.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON agreed and observed that one of the gaps
in the implementation plan that was identified in the AAPC
preliminary report is discussion of the aforementioned issues.
11:56:51 AM
SENATOR MCGUIRE closed, saying the 12/9-10/14 AAPC meetings were
work sessions striving to deliver a thorough preliminary report
to the legislature [slide 20]. Subject matter experts of
opposite minds came together and created a report that reflects
the cross-section of the state. She urged for more public
hearings in Anchorage and Seward to raise awareness, and
encouraged dialogue to "bring more Alaskans along on this
particular issue, to make it the kind of subject that gets more
attention."
CHAIR HUGHES agreed it is important for all Alaskans to embrace
the Arctic region, and related her personal experience living in
Fort Yukon and Bethel. The entire state must be involved to
provide infrastructure and resource development in the Arctic,
thus the public education provided by AAPC needs to reach
everyone. Chair Hughes appreciated the work that influenced the
federal team at a critical moment in time.
12:00:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND surmised that the policy statements from
Canada and Norway are posted on the web site: www.akarctic.com.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said yes. In further response to
Representative Drummond, he advised Norway, Sweden, and Finland
had six consecutive years working together in the Arctic Council
chairmanship; now the U.S. has the Canadian chairmanship as a
model. However, some of the criticism of the NSAR
implementation plan is that it is not specifically about
sustainable governments. During Canada's term, the focus was on
the north, responsible development, sustainable economies and
communities, and a healthy environment. The legislature seeks
to inform the federal government that the people of the northern
latitudes have a vision - that should work in concert with that
of the federal government - of what the Arctic Council
chairmanship would bring to the Arctic. Representative Herron
reviewed the challenges of the Arctic: huge differences between
resource wealth and community prosperity; isolated, remote
communities; lack of infrastructure; layers of ownership of the
land and resources; risk of increasing activity. The role of
AAPC is to deliver the preliminary report, including policy
statements that provide framework for the state's strategy in
the Arctic; inform local, state, and federal policy makers;
continue coordination with the federal government; conduct
outreach and education activities to raise the profile of the
Arctic both within Alaska, nationally, and internationally
[slide 21]. He then referred to "Arctic Package" legislation
based on AAPC's work: SB 140 and HB 288, creating a vehicle to
leverage private money for infrastructure; HB 165, a
conversation about an Alaska Arctic port development authority;
HJR 24, a resolution that urges for the state department to
allow Alaska to participate in the selection of the chairman of
the Arctic Council and to have Alaska priorities to be part of
the theme.
12:05:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR asked whether the relevant legislation
introduced this year replaces legislation previously introduced.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said no. House Bill 165 is the House
vehicle and SB 140 is the Senate vehicle.
CHAIR HUGHES offered the help of the committee and thanked AAPC
for its important work.
12:07:43 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the joint
meeting of the House Special Committee on Economic Development,
Trade and Tourism and the Senate Special Committee on World
Trade was adjourned at 12:07 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 4 -AAPC-World-Trade-EDTT-Presentation.pdf |
HEDT 2/4/2014 11:15:00 AM |
Arctic Policy |