Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124

02/10/2020 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

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01:37:55 PM Start
01:38:30 PM HB138
03:18:45 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= HB 138 NATIONAL RESOURCE WATER DESIGNATION TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
               HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                             
                       February 10, 2020                                                                                        
                           1:37 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative John Lincoln, Co-Chair                                                                                           
Representative Geran Tarr, Co-Chair                                                                                             
Representative Grier Hopkins, Vice Chair                                                                                        
Representative Sara Hannan                                                                                                      
Representative Chris Tuck                                                                                                       
Representative Ivy Spohnholz                                                                                                    
Representative Dave Talerico                                                                                                    
Representative George Rauscher                                                                                                  
Representative Sara Rasmussen                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 138                                                                                                              
"An Act requiring  the designation of state  water as outstanding                                                               
national  resource  water  to  occur   in  statute;  relating  to                                                               
management  of   outstanding  national  resource  water   by  the                                                               
Department of  Environmental Conservation;  and providing  for an                                                               
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 138                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: NATIONAL RESOURCE WATER DESIGNATION                                                                                
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KOPP                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
04/17/19       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/17/19       (H)       RES, FIN                                                                                               
04/29/19       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/29/19       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/29/19       (H)       MINUTE(RES)                                                                                            
05/03/19       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
05/03/19       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
05/03/19       (H)       MINUTE(RES)                                                                                            
02/10/20       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CHUCK KOPP                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Speaking as  the sponsor of HB 138, provided                                                             
a PowerPoint presentation entitled,  "HB 138 Outstanding Resource                                                               
Water  Designation,"  dated   2/10/20,  presented  the  committee                                                               
substitute for HB 138, and answered questions.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
TREVER FULTON, Staff                                                                                                            
Representative Chuck Kopp                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   On behalf  of Representative  Kopp, sponsor                                                             
of HB 138, answered questions during the hearing of HB 138.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MARIE MARX, Attorney                                                                                                            
Legislative Legal Counsel                                                                                                       
Legislative Legal Services                                                                                                      
Legislative Affairs Agency                                                                                                      
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions  during the hearing of HB
138.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
JONES PAUL HOTCH JR., Vice-President                                                                                            
Chilkat Indian Village Tribal Council                                                                                           
Haines, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in opposition  during the hearing                                                             
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
GUY ARCHIBALD                                                                                                                   
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in opposition  during the hearing                                                             
of HB 138, Version K.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
KONRAD SCHAAD                                                                                                                   
Homer, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified  in strong opposition  during the                                                             
hearing of HB 138.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MARIO BENASSI                                                                                                                   
Haines, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in opposition  during the hearing                                                             
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
JOE HOTCH                                                                                                                       
Haines, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified during the hearing of HB 138.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
DOUG WOODBY                                                                                                                     
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in opposition during the hearing                                                               
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
DAN HOTCH, Spokesperson                                                                                                         
Chilkat Indian Village                                                                                                          
Haines, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in opposition during the hearing                                                               
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
DAN CANNON                                                                                                                      
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in opposition during the hearing                                                               
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SKWEIT MORGAN                                                                                                                   
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in opposition during the hearing                                                               
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
ANDREA HERNANDEZ                                                                                                                
Point Baker, Alaska                                                                                                             
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified during the hearing of HB 138.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SARAH DAVIDSON                                                                                                                  
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in opposition during the hearing                                                               
of HB 138, Version K.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
EMILY ANDERSON, Alaska Program Director                                                                                         
Wild Salmon Center                                                                                                              
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified during the hearing of HB 138.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
JESSICA PLACHTA, Executive Director                                                                                             
Lynn Canal Conservation                                                                                                         
Haines, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in opposition during the hearing                                                               
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MEREDITH TRAINOR, Executive Director                                                                                            
Southeast Alaska Conservation Council                                                                                           
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in opposition  during the hearing                                                             
of HB 138.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:37:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  JOHN  LINCOLN  called   the  House  Resources  Standing                                                             
Committee  meeting  to  order  at   1:37  p.m.    Representatives                                                               
Talerico, Hannan,  Hopkins, Rasmussen,  and Lincoln  were present                                                               
at the  call to  order.   Representatives Tarr,  Tuck, Spohnholz,                                                               
and Rauscher arrived as the meeting was in progress.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
           HB 138-NATIONAL RESOURCE WATER DESIGNATION                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:38:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN  announced the only  order of business  would be                                                               
HOUSE BILL  NO. 138, "An  Act requiring the designation  of state                                                               
water  as  outstanding  national   resource  water  to  occur  in                                                               
statute; relating to management  of outstanding national resource                                                               
water  by  the  Department  of  Environmental  Conservation;  and                                                               
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:39:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR moved  to adopt  the committee  substitute for  HB
138,  labeled  31-LS0811\K, Marx,  2/4/20,  (Version  K), as  the                                                               
working document.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:39:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN objected for discussion purposes.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:39:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CHUCK KOPP, Alaska  State Legislature, speaking as                                                               
the sponsor of  HB 138, said the committee substitute  for HB 138                                                               
was the result  of hearing public testimony about  the unmet need                                                               
for  an administrative  process,  and  a desire  for  a fair  and                                                               
balanced  approach, to  Tier 3  water designation.   He  directed                                                               
attention  to   a  PowerPoint  presentation  entitled,   "HB  138                                                               
Outstanding Resource Water Designation,"  dated 2/10/20, in order                                                               
to review  for the committee  the concept  of Tier 3  waters, and                                                               
the  intent of  the bill.   He  paraphrased from  slide 2,  which                                                               
read:                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     TIER 3 WATERS                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     ?   Defined   by   EPA  as   waters   of   "exceptional                                                                    
     recreational  or ecological  significance" which  shall                                                                    
     be  "maintained  and  protected"  from  degradation  in                                                                    
     perpetuity                                                                                                                 
     ? Since  1983, the  Clean Water  Act has  required each                                                                    
     state  to  establish a  Tier  3  designation process                                                                       
     Alaska has yet to formalize a process                                                                                      
     ?  Any  water  of  the  state  (AS  46.03.900)  can  be                                                                    
     designated a  Tier 3 water, regardless  of ownership of                                                                    
     surrounding lands                                                                                                          
     ? Five Tier 3 nominations  (oldest dating to 2012) have                                                                    
     been submitted  to DEC    all  five have  been returned                                                                    
     and   the  nominators   have  been   referred  to   the                                                                    
     legislative process, as per DEC policy                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KOPP explained  Alaska  has no  process for  [the                                                               
designation of] Tier 3 waters,  which may violate the Clean Water                                                               
Act  (CWA), and  thus  the U.S.  Environmental Protection  Agency                                                               
(EPA) may impose a process  on the state, leaving stakeholders in                                                               
Alaska  uncertain of  the process.   Representative  Kopp advised                                                               
any water of  the state can be designated Tier  3 water; water of                                                               
the state is defined in AS 46.03.900(37) as follows:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     "waters"  includes lakes,  bays,  sounds, ponds,  impounding                                                               
     reservoirs,   springs,  wells,   rivers,  streams,   creeks,                                                               
     estuaries, marshes,  inlets, straits, passages,  canals, the                                                               
     Pacific  Ocean,  Gulf  of Alaska,  Bering  Sea,  and  Arctic                                                               
     Ocean,  in the  territorial  limits of  the  state, and  all                                                               
     other  bodies of  surface or  underground water,  natural or                                                               
     artificial, public  or private, inland or  coastal, fresh or                                                               
     salt,  which are  wholly or  partially in  or bordering  the                                                               
     state or under the jurisdiction of the state.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KOPP  said there  have  been  five Tier  3  water                                                               
nominations   submitted  to   the  Department   of  Environmental                                                               
Conservation  (DEC),   all  which  have  been   returned  to  the                                                               
nominators and referred to the  legislature - as per existing DEC                                                               
guidance policy  established by former DEC  Commissioner Hartig -                                                               
to  comply  with  the  Alaska   State  Constitution,  Article  8,                                                               
Sections 2 and 7, which read (slide 1):                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Section  2:   The  legislature  shall  provide for  the                                                                    
     utilization,  development,  and   conservation  of  all                                                                    
     natural  resources belonging  to  the State,  including                                                                    
     land  and  waters,  for  the  maximum  benefit  of  its                                                                    
     people.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Section  7:    The  legislature  may  provide  for  the                                                                    
     acquisition  of sites,  objects, and  areas of  natural                                                                    
     beauty  or  of  historic,  cultural,  recreational,  or                                                                    
     scientific value.  It may reserve them  from the public                                                                    
     domain  and   provide  for  their   administration  and                                                                    
     preservation  for the  use, enjoyment,  and welfare  of                                                                    
     the people.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:42:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  pointed out  the aforementioned  sections of                                                               
the state constitution direct that  the legislature has a role in                                                               
the  designation process;  HB  138  introduces an  administrative                                                               
process compatible with  the legislative process to  allow Tier 3                                                               
nominations to be reviewed and  concluded.  He directed attention                                                               
to  slide 3  and said  [the intent  of HB  138] -  to codify  the                                                               
process  -  is  consistent  with DEC's  request  for  legislative                                                               
involvement,    preceded    by   an    administrative    process.                                                               
Representative   Kopp  stressed   the   designation  process   of                                                               
nominating [a water body] to  DEC currently does not exist [shown                                                               
incorrect  on slide  3], which  explains why  current nominations                                                               
have been  referred to  the legislature  [shown correct  on slide                                                               
3].    At  this  time,  118 state  lands  and  waters  have  been                                                               
designated  for   special  use  protection  by   the  legislature                                                               
including  state  refuges   and  parks,  preserves,  sanctuaries,                                                               
critical habitat  areas, marine  parks, and  recreational rivers.                                                               
Representative  Kopp further  explained establishing  special use                                                               
protection is a policy call that does  not set "too high of a bar                                                               
on anybody to  carry a policy argument."  Therefore,  in order to                                                               
satisfy the state  constitution, the legislature must  find a way                                                               
to  achieve   a  balance   between  administrative   process  and                                                               
legislative direction  so that  state waters  are managed  to the                                                               
maximum benefit of  Alaskans.  Slide 4  illustrated the committee                                                               
substitute  for HB  138  process:   codifies  Tier 3  designation                                                               
process as  a legislative process with  an administrative element                                                               
and establishes an advisory commission  to review nominations for                                                               
Tier 3  waters and  make recommendations.   He  further explained                                                               
nominations  could   also  be  facilitated   through  legislation                                                               
introduced  by a  legislator;  however, a  bill  introduced by  a                                                               
legislator would not benefit  from a science-based determination,                                                               
vetting, and  recommendations from  the advisory commission.   In                                                               
addition,  [the committee  substitute  for HB  138] requires  the                                                               
governor    to   submit    legislation   consistent    with   the                                                               
recommendation of  the advisory commission; this  requirement was                                                               
modeled   on  the   Controlled  Substances   Advisory  Committee,                                                               
Department of Law.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:47:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  continued to slide  5 and said  the proposed                                                               
Outstanding Resource  Water Advisory Commission would  have seven                                                               
members:    the  commissioners   of  the  Department  of  Natural                                                               
Resources,  DEC, and  the  Alaska Department  of  Fish and  Game;                                                               
designated  seats  for a  tribal  entity  or Native  corporation,                                                               
environmental  or  conservation   nongovernmental  agency  (NGO),                                                               
resource  development  NGO,  and  local government.    Thus,  the                                                               
advisory  commission would  consist of  experts and  members with                                                               
strong  professional knowledge  in order  to determine  whether a                                                               
nomination  would  be  accepted  for  review.    Turning  to  the                                                               
nomination, he paraphrased from slide 6, which read:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     NOMINATION CRITERIA                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     ? Description of the water                                                                                                 
     ? Upstream/downstream boundaries                                                                                           
     ? Explanation of what makes it exceptional                                                                                 
     ? Description of existing water quality                                                                                    
     ? Cost-benefit analysis                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP remarked:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     A cost-benefit  analysis is based  on policy.  ...   If                                                                    
     your policy  is that whatever  project is out  there in                                                                    
     the  future,  whether  it  be  a  tourism  project,  an                                                                    
     industry, natural  resource project, whether it  be any                                                                    
     kind of development, is  weighed against whatever we're                                                                    
     trying to  protect or  conserve, that  a, some  type of                                                                    
     cost-benefit analysis  be put out there,  but note that                                                                    
     the  commission has  the discretion  to either  ask for                                                                    
     more or less information.  ...   We do not look at this                                                                    
     as someone has to be  a millionaire to ... put together                                                                    
     basically a report for the  commission and, and, submit                                                                    
     this.  I think this is  a pretty low threshold for such                                                                    
     a significant thing  ... but it is  certainly not meant                                                                    
     to be cost prohibitive.   The bill does, in its current                                                                    
     version,  ask  the  nominator to  bear  at  least  this                                                                    
     minimal upfront cost ....                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  added the  commission has  one year  to rule                                                               
from the time  the nomination is accepted.  He  restated a Tier 3                                                               
designation  has the  highest level  of water  quality protection                                                               
under   CWA  and   is  an   important  tool   to  balance   human                                                               
environmental  health;  however,  the  designation  is  a  policy                                                               
decision that  in the future  would restrict a  significant range                                                               
of activities.  He concluded  the committee substitute for HB 138                                                               
would create a designation process  that is fair, evidence-based,                                                               
and subject to legislative approval;  the bill is also a solution                                                               
between  an  administrative  process  and  a  political  process,                                                               
fulfils the  federal mandate  for Tier  3 water  designation, and                                                               
would give stakeholders certainty in this regard.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:52:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR  asked whether  the nomination  is accepted  by the                                                               
commission when the nomination application is complete.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  said yes.   In further response  to Co-Chair                                                               
Tarr, he  clarified when the commission  indicates the nomination                                                               
packet is complete, the one-year time period begins.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN removed  his objection.  There  being no further                                                               
objection, Version K was before the committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK returned  attention to slide 4  and asked for                                                               
confirmation  that [after  the passage  of HB  138, Version  K, a                                                               
nomination could still  be advanced directly from  a nominator to                                                               
the legislature].                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said correct.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether  DEC can currently designate                                                               
water to  [Outstanding National Resource Waters  (ONRW) Tiers] 1,                                                               
2, or 3.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:55:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TREVER  FULTON, Staff,  Representative Chuck  Kopp, Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature,  informed the  committee  current regulations  allow                                                               
DEC to designate Tier 1 and 2  waters, however, Tier 1 and Tier 2                                                               
waters are  not ONRW;  regarding Tier 3  waters, DEC  guidance is                                                               
that nominators nominate Tier 3 waters through the legislature.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS  suggested if the commission  approves the                                                               
nomination of  a body of water  to Tier 3 status,  the commission                                                               
and DEC should do so without needing duplicative legislation.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KOPP  observed  water  quality  designations  are                                                               
among the most  sweeping actions taken by the state;  in fact, to                                                               
not have such an action  before the legislature would probably be                                                               
in violation of  the state constitution.   The legislature should                                                               
be provided with a professional  application that has been vetted                                                               
and that has garnered science-based  recommendations from a panel                                                               
of experts  in order to  make its decision.   He restated  HB 138                                                               
creates a  process that would  result in a nomination  before the                                                               
legislature  that  is  complete   with  public  testimony  and  a                                                               
minority opinion.   As the bill sponsor, he  restated his support                                                               
for combining administrative and  legislative processes, in order                                                               
to   balance   competing   interests,  and   prevent   subsequent                                                               
challenges to legislation.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HANNAN asked  for confirmation  that the  current                                                               
five nominations have been offered by tribal entities.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:00:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. FULTON said DEC has received the following nominations:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
    • Koktuli River, submitted 4/27/12, by Trout Unlimited,                                                                     
      Alaska Alpine Adventures, Renewable Resources Coalition,                                                                  
      Alaska Independent Fishermen, SnoPac Products, Nushagak-                                                                  
      Mulchatna Wood-Tikchik Land Trust, and Nunamta                                                                            
    • [Draanjik River], submitted 11/7/17, by First Chief Woody                                                                 
      Salmon, Chalkyitsik Village Council and First Chief Nancy                                                                 
      James, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich'in Tribal Government                                                                           
    • Chandlar River, submitted 7/23/16, by First Chief Jerry                                                                   
      Frank, Venetie Village Council                                                                                            
    • Yakutat Forelands, submitted 2/22/16, by the Yakutat                                                                      
      Tlingit Tribal Council                                                                                                    
    • Chilkat River, submitted 2/13/16, by the Chilkat Indian                                                                   
      Village                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR directed attention to the  bill on page 3, line 14,                                                               
which read [in part]:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
       the commission shall provide public notice and an                                                                        
     opportunity to comment on the nomination                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  TARR  questioned  whether the  aforementioned  language                                                               
means  the process  would  include a  public  comment period  and                                                               
public hearings.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  confirmed the language is  prescriptive thus                                                               
hearings shall be held.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SPOHNHOLZ inquired  as  to whether  HB 138  would                                                               
prohibit  the nomination  of  a  Tier 3  water  designation by  a                                                               
citizens' initiative.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  said no.   He pointed out a  prior citizens'                                                               
effort related  to restrictions on  natural resources  was deemed                                                               
unconstitutional by  the court system  and deferred  the question                                                               
to the Department  of Law.  He  restated the intent of  HB 138 is                                                               
strictly to  establish an administrative process  for designating                                                               
Tier 3 water designations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:04:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARIE  MARX,  Attorney,  Legislative Legal  Counsel,  Legislative                                                               
Legal  Services, Legislative  Affairs  Agency,  clarified HB  138                                                               
does  not  address  the  initiative  process.    She  opined  the                                                               
initiative  process  could not  be  used  to designate  water  as                                                               
outstanding  resource water  without violating  the Alaska  State                                                               
Constitution, Article  11, Section 7, because  initiatives cannot                                                               
make  or  repeal  appropriations or  restrict  the  legislature's                                                               
authority to use an asset for a public purpose.                                                                                 
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK  asked whether any of  the aforementioned 118                                                               
water designations are Tier 3.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KOPP said  he was  unaware  of any  Tier 3  water                                                               
designations in Alaska.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK further asked  whether EPA requirements allow                                                               
the legislature to reverse a Tier 3 designation.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. FULTON  said the designation of  a Tier 3 waterbody  could be                                                               
reversed, and  explained information  from DEC and  EPA indicated                                                               
"anything that the  legislature puts into statute,  it can remove                                                               
from statute, and thus undesignate."                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK  surmised if  the designation is  DEC's role,                                                               
DEC could also reverse its decision.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. FULTON deferred to DEC.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS. MARX informed the committee  federal regulation and policy do                                                               
not allow or prohibit an  action to reverse designation; further,                                                               
nothing in the bill prevents  a future legislature from repealing                                                               
a designation.   Similarly, she opined nothing  would prevent DEC                                                               
from  undesignating a  [waterbody]  as  national resource  water,                                                               
although EPA would address a change in policy.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:09:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK returned attention to slide 2 and read:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
      Defined by EPA as waters of exceptional recreational                                                                      
      or ecological significance which shall be maintained                                                                      
     and protected from degradation in perpetuity                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK  surmised perpetuity is  "as long as  it's in                                                               
statute."                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS.  MARX advised  to designate  water there  would be  a finding                                                               
that said  certain water  is of exceptional  quality, which  is a                                                               
very high standard,  therefore, [the standing to  meet] a finding                                                               
to undue  the designation would also  be high.  She  said without                                                               
case law in this regard, a court's decision is unknown.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER  asked whether  the legislature  could go                                                               
around the [advisory commission].                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said yes, by passing legislation.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN  questioned how many states  have adopted a                                                               
process  for designation  and if  states that  have not  complied                                                               
with EPA have been litigated.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  deferred to  DEC and said  he was  unsure of                                                               
the policies of other states.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK  directed attention  to the  bill on  page 2,                                                               
beginning on line 16, which read:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     (D) one member who represents a statewide organization                                                                     
     of local governments.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK  asked what statewide organizations  of local                                                               
governments exist.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KOPP said,  in addition  to the  Alaska Municipal                                                               
League, there is a conference of mayors.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS  directed attention  to page 2,  lines 25-                                                               
27, which read [in part]:                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     (e) The commission shall                                                                                                   
         (1) establish a process for a resident of the                                                                          
     state to nominate water for designation ....                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HOPKINS asked  if  a resident  is  defined as  an                                                               
individual or if  an organization or group could  bring forward a                                                               
nomination.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:15:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  FULTON explained  the residency  requirements applicable  to                                                               
the bill  are found in  AS 01.10.055; further,  [AS 01.10.060(8)]                                                               
defines person as a natural  person and as corporations and other                                                               
organizations of  the state.   Therefore, resident  includes both                                                               
people and corporations, organizations, and others.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN  asked whether a tribe  could bring forward                                                               
a nomination  if it  were a federally  recognized tribe  that was                                                               
not incorporated in the state.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KOPP supported  action  brought by  any tribe  in                                                               
Alaska; he was unsure as to a tribe's standing as a person.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. FULTON  read the  definition of  person [AS  01.10.060(8)] as                                                               
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
      Includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm,                                                                       
     association, organization, business trust, or society,                                                                     
     as well as a natural person.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN  recalled the  membership [of  the advisory                                                               
commission]  established  by the  bill  includes  one member  who                                                               
represents a tribal entity or  a Native corporation in the state.                                                               
She  pointed  out  tribal  entities  differ  vastly  from  Native                                                               
corporations  and thus  can have  competing  interests; in  fact,                                                               
tribes  have been  engaged  as the  primary  nominators of  water                                                               
designations.   She suggested the  bill must specify  that local,                                                               
resident,  tribal   entities  and  citizens  have   authority  to                                                               
nominate, as do corporations and Native corporations.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP, speaking as  the bill sponsor, expressed his                                                               
strong support for  tribal citizens of Alaska "having  a voice in                                                               
the  process ...."   However,  he  deferred to  Ms. Marx's  legal                                                               
opinion  in this  regard.   He acknowledged  a tribal  entity may                                                               
have  a different  interest than  a Native  organization, or  may                                                               
have  a common  interest,  or  may, or  may  not,  have a  common                                                               
interest with an environmental nongovernmental organization.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:19:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. MARX directed attention to the  bill on page 2, lines [9-17],                                                               
which read:                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     (4) the following members appointed by the governor:                                                                       
          (A) one  member who represents a  tribal entity or                                                                    
     Native corporation in the state;                                                                                           
          (B) one member who  represents an environmental or                                                                    
     conservation nongovernmental organization;                                                                                 
          (C)   one  member   who   represents  a   resource                                                                    
     development nongovernmental organization; and                                                                              
          (D)   one  member   who  represents   a  statewide                                                                    
     organization of local governments.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS. MARX  agreed that  a tribal entity  and a  Native corporation                                                               
are separate and  distinctive; a tribal entity -  an Indian Tribe                                                               
- is an independent entity and  is a sovereign, and any member of                                                               
an  entity of  the  sovereign  tribe could  be  a  member of  the                                                               
commission.  A Native corporation is not a sovereign tribe.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HANNAN  returned attention  to  page  2, line  26                                                               
[text previously provided].  She remarked:                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     My question is on line 26  of page 2, the term resident                                                                    
     - and then  Representative Kopp's staff has  given us a                                                                    
     couple of  statute citations  using a  legal definition                                                                    
     of a  resident, including  that a corporation  that was                                                                    
     incorporated in  the state is  a resident  because it's                                                                    
     natural  persons   and  other  entities  -   and  I  am                                                                    
     wondering  whether  a  tribal entity  is  considered  a                                                                    
     resident  of  the state  if  it  were incorporated  and                                                                    
     recognized by the federal government.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS.   MARX  advised   not  all   are  tribal   entities  may   be                                                               
incorporated, some are just organizations.   The issue is who can                                                               
bring  the nomination  forward, and  any individual  of a  tribal                                                               
entity  or a  corporation who  is a  state resident  can bring  a                                                               
nomination forward.   She  was unsure whether  an entity  that is                                                               
not incorporated would  qualify as a state  resident; however, an                                                               
individual, who is  a part of an organization, can  bring forth a                                                               
nomination, if they are a state resident.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:22:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. MARX  offered to research  whether tribal  organizations that                                                               
are not  incorporated in the  state may bring forth  a nomination                                                               
on behalf of the organization.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  LINCOLN  suggested   specifying  a  nonprofit  regional                                                               
tribal  organization   to  clarify  from   individual  federally-                                                               
recognized tribes that are considered tribal governments.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   RASMUSSEN  asked   whether  appointees   to  the                                                               
advisory   commission    would   be   subject    to   legislative                                                               
confirmation.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  said no, because  the intent of the  bill is                                                               
to avoid  politicizing the commission  and the  professional work                                                               
of the commission.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RASMUSSEN  said legislative  approval  eliminates                                                               
some of  the politics in a  situation where the governor  and the                                                               
legislative majority represent different  political parties.  She                                                               
directed attention  to the zero  fiscal note[s] [Identifier:   HB
138  DNR-MLW-2-7-2020;     Identifier   HB  138-DEC-WIF-02-07-20;                                                               
Identifier:   HB  138-DFG-CO-2-8-20] and  pointed out  commission                                                               
members  are entitled  to per  diem and  travel allowances.   She                                                               
questioned how the commission would  begin meeting regularly with                                                               
no funding.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:27:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP  explained the  commission is  created within                                                               
DEC; although  there are five  pending nominations,  he suggested                                                               
the commission will  have limited meetings and  "what that fiscal                                                               
ultimately will be" is unknown.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ  directed attention to the  bill on page                                                               
3, lines 3-4, and lines 7-9, which read:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
      (D) a description of the existing water quality and                                                                       
     any technical data on which the description is based;                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     (F) an  analysis of  the economic  cost and  benefit of                                                                    
     designating the water  as outstanding national resource                                                                    
     water,  including  the  economic cost  and  benefit  to                                                                    
     communities and current or foreseeable projects; and                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ surmised [subparagraphs  (D) and (F)] of                                                               
the bill  set a  very high  bar for  certain nominators,  such as                                                               
individuals  or small  tribes or  communities; she  asked whether                                                               
the sponsor  considered tasking the commission  with the in-depth                                                               
analysis required  to inform the  legislature on the impact  of a                                                               
Tier 3 water designation.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
[Discussion was directed  to the bill beginning on  page 2, lines                                                               
25-31, and continuing to page 3, lines 1 and 2, which read:]                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     (e) The commission shall                                                                                                   
          (1)  establish a  process for  a  resident of  the                                                                    
     state to nominate water  for designation as outstanding                                                                    
     national resource water; the  process must at a minimum                                                                    
     require  that  the  nomination   be  submitted  to  the                                                                    
     commission in writing and include                                                                                          
               (A)  the name,  description, and  location of                                                                    
     the water;                                                                                                                 
               (B)  the boundaries  upstream and  downstream                                                                    
     of the water;                                                                                                              
               (C) an  explanation of  what makes  the water                                                                    
     an  outstanding national  resource  water, including  a                                                                    
     description  of the  recreational  or ecological  value                                                                    
     that makes the water exceptional;                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP pointed out  the determination of significant                                                               
recreational  or ecological  qualities is  more a  policy than  a                                                               
scientific determination.   He acknowledged a  nominator needs to                                                               
accurately  describe the  upstream and  downstream boundaries  of                                                               
the water  and indicate its  existing water quality,  which could                                                               
cost  several thousand  dollars; for  the cost-benefit  analysis,                                                               
which  could vary  in scope,  he said  many nominators  work with                                                               
partners  that would  help with  the expense.   He  explained the                                                               
bill does  not specify facets  of the analysis so  the commission                                                               
can  request more  information.   Representative  Kopp advised  a                                                               
nominator can  research websites  and he  restated the  intent is                                                               
not to make the [expense of a nomination] prohibitive.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:32:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK  directed attention  to the  bill on  page 3,                                                               
lines 5 and 6, which read:                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     (E) a discussion of any  nonpoint source activity to be                                                                    
     conducted  in the  foreseeable future  that may  affect                                                                    
     water quality;                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  TUCK asked  for  the meaning  of nonpoint  source                                                               
activity.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR.  FULTON directed  attention  to page  4,  lines 21-23,  which                                                               
read:                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     (2) "nonpoint  source activity" means an  activity that                                                                    
     does not  produce a discharge  from a point  source, as                                                                    
     that term is defined  in regulations adopted under this                                                                    
     chapter.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR.  FULTON  further  explained nonpoint  source  activities  are                                                               
generally  runoff   whereas  a   point  source  activity   is  [a                                                               
substance] coming out of a discharge pipe.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  TUCK  said  the  nomination process  would  be  a                                                               
burden for  any entity.   He directed  attention to Version  K on                                                               
page 2, lines 27-28, which read [in part]:                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     ;  the  process must  at  a  minimum require  that  the                                                                    
     nomination be  submitted to  the commission  in writing                                                                    
     and include                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  TUCK  questioned  how a  discussion  of  nonpoint                                                               
activity in  the foreseeable  future [as  provided in  Version K,                                                               
section  1, subsection  (e),  paragraph  (1), subparagraph  (E)],                                                               
could be summitted to the commission in writing.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:35:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP remarked:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     I would say that means  simply what it appears to mean,                                                                    
     is relaying  to the nomination commission  any nonpoint                                                                    
     source   activity  that   can  be   conducted  in   the                                                                    
     foreseeable future  ...   writing it out on paper, this                                                                    
     is, this is what we're aware of.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN asked when the first waterbody was nominated.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said in 2012.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  LINCOLN questioned  whether there  is any  risk to  the                                                               
state because it does not have an established process.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said yes; the risk  is, if the state fails to                                                               
act, EPA could act unilaterally which could lead to litigation.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:37:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR LINCOLN opened public testimony on HB 138.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:37:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JONES  PAUL HOTCH  JR.,  vice-president,  Chilkat Indian  Village                                                               
Tribal   Council,  expressed   Chilkat   Indian  Village   Tribal                                                               
Council's  opposition  to HB  138.    He informed  the  committee                                                               
Chilkat  Indian  Village of  Klukwan  is  a federally  recognized                                                               
tribe   that  believes   the  Alaska   National  Interest   Lands                                                               
Conservation  Act  (ANILCA)  Title  VIII  is vital  to  it.    He                                                               
described  the  legislative  process  as  a  lengthy  process  to                                                               
designate  Tier  3  water.    Klukwan  has  lived  a  traditional                                                               
subsistence lifestyle village since  time immemorial and seeks to                                                               
continue  its  lifestyle,  with  life close  to  food,  which  is                                                               
important to  village culture.   The Chilkat  River is  a natural                                                               
spawning ground  for all  five species of  Pacific salmon  and is                                                               
the second largest producer of  coho salmon in Southeast, and the                                                               
largest  producer  of  sockeye  and   chum  salmon.    Mr.  Hotch                                                               
questioned the requirement of a  cost analysis because one cannot                                                               
submit a cost analysis on the value of salmon and berries.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:42:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
GUY ARCHIBALD  disclosed he  is a  staff scientist  for Southeast                                                               
Alaska Conservation Council and is  testifying on his own behalf.                                                               
He expressed opposition to HB  138 [Version K] and questioned how                                                               
a process that  has to go through the legislature  would not be a                                                               
political  process.    In response  to  previous  statements,  he                                                               
explained  protecting Tier  3 waters  "in  perpetuity" refers  to                                                               
protection from permanent or long-term  degradation; in fact, all                                                               
Tier 3  designations in other  states have exemptions  for short-                                                               
term degradation  from activities  such as such  as roadbuilding,                                                               
flood control, and river restoration.   Mr. Archibald referred to                                                               
the  sponsor's statement,  that  Alaska does  not  have a  formal                                                               
process for  Tier 3 designations,  and said Alaska has  two other                                                               
mechanisms for designating Tier 3  water included in [DEC's] 2010                                                               
policy and  procedures guidance that  have been approved  by EPA.                                                               
Further,  in  response to  statements  that  Tier 3  designations                                                               
would  impact  upland  activities  including  motorized  vessels,                                                               
residential   and    commercial   septic   systems,    and   road                                                               
construction,  mining,   and  timber  harvesting,  he   said  the                                                               
aforementioned are  nonpoint source  discharges and  almost every                                                               
state that  regulates Tier  3 water only  limits new  or expanded                                                               
point source  discharges.  He  directed attention to  his written                                                               
testimony   [previously  submitted]   explaining  Arizona   water                                                               
quality policy related to mixing  zones.  Mr. Archibald concluded                                                               
Alaska has  permitted many point  source discharges and  making a                                                               
process easier  for a  corporation to  pollute water,  and harder                                                               
for  residents to  protect water,  is  a violation  of the  state                                                               
constitution.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked for  clarification of Mr. Archibald's                                                               
reference to EPA [approval].                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. ARCHIBALD  said the information  can be found in  his written                                                               
testimony.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:46:01 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KONRAD SCHAAD  informed the committee  he has lived in  Homer for                                                               
40 years  and has fished  commercially in Bristol Bay  since 1985                                                               
with  his  sons.   He  said  Alaskans  are  proud of  their  fish                                                               
management that  has resulted  in the last  great salmon  runs on                                                               
Earth; however, management is not  effective without clean water.                                                               
He has heard  Alaska has the strongest protection  for its salmon                                                               
streams but cautioned  that the passage of HB 138  would create a                                                               
carte blanche  for mining companies  that seek  [mining] permits.                                                               
Mr.  Schaad said  more science  and less  politics are  needed to                                                               
ensure state waters  stay clean.  He cautioned  if the nomination                                                               
for Tier  3 designation becomes  cumbersome and  burdensome, few,                                                               
if any, will achieve designation,  and urged the committee to not                                                               
weaken the  existing process.   Mr.  Schaad expressed  his strong                                                               
opposition to HB 138.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:47:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARIO BENASSI  expressed his opposition  to HB  138.  He  said he                                                               
assumed that currently  DEC designates Tier 1 and  Tier 2 waters,                                                               
which are issued permits allowing the  pollution of rivers.  In a                                                               
fair process, it would be as  easy to designate rivers that would                                                               
not  be polluted  as it  would be  to designate  rivers that  are                                                               
going to be polluted; once a  river is polluted, the pollution is                                                               
in  perpetuity.    Mr.  Benassi   opined  HB  138  would  further                                                               
politicize  the process  through legislative  approval.   Because                                                               
DEC  already makes  decisions based  on policy  and criteria,  he                                                               
urged that the designation of Tier 3 water remain with DEC.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:49:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOE HOTCH  said Alaska National  Interest Lands  Conservation Act                                                               
[Title VIII]  Section 804 is  related to Tlingit  traditional use                                                               
for his  children and grandchildren.   Also, [Title  VII, Section                                                               
12 of  the Alaska State  Constitution] disclaims right  and title                                                               
to  land  held  by  Indian,  Eskimo, or  Aleut.    He  urged  the                                                               
committee to  adhere to the  state constitution, and said  he was                                                               
speaking for all children.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:51:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DOUG WOODBY informed the committee  he retired from ADFG as chief                                                               
fisheries scientist  for the  commercial fisheries  division, and                                                               
during  his career,  worked  in all  regions of  the  state.   He                                                               
opined the  primary reason  the state  is successful  in managing                                                               
its  renewable  fish  resources  is that  the  state  began  with                                                               
pristine  conditions;  the  state   cannot  afford  to  lose  its                                                               
pristine conditions, which  are central to Alaska.   He expressed                                                               
his concern the  bill removes access to a  democratic process and                                                               
creates  a  more  policy-based  process  that  will  not  provide                                                               
science-based solutions  or protect pristine waters.   Mr. Woodby                                                               
said he opposed the bill.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:53:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DAN HOTCH,  Spokesperson, Chilkat  Indian Village,  expressed his                                                               
opposition to the bill.  He  informed the committee he comes from                                                               
Klukwan.   Klukwan  means "the  eternal  village" and  he told  a                                                               
story  of  a  long-ago  person who  was  discovered  with  salmon                                                               
remains, which illustrates that  salmon existed 10,000 years ago.                                                               
He reported elders  and others in Klukwan are  donating moose and                                                               
fish for school lunches to  replace the school lunch program that                                                               
was not  funded.   Mr. Hotch  asked for  the committee's  help in                                                               
protecting  rivers, streams,  cultural foods,  and cultures;  the                                                               
impact of HB 138 on the  village would be irreparable because the                                                               
eternal village cannot  be sustained with polluted  water:  there                                                               
could  be  no  salmon,  no   bears,  no  eagles,  nor  an  intact                                                               
ecosystem.  Mr. Hotch surmised  some people do not understand the                                                               
land -  or want  to protect  the land  - as  do the  residents of                                                               
Klukwan.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:55:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DAN CANNON  pointed out a  Tier 3 designation denies  new permits                                                               
for  long-term degradation  and does  not address  cleaning fish,                                                               
motorboats, culture  camps, or private septic  systems.  Speaking                                                               
hypothetically as  a nominator,  he opined the  governor's seven-                                                               
person committee  would not accept a  cost-benefit analysis based                                                               
on  information  from  websites,  and   he  could  not  afford  a                                                               
professional  analysis, thus  he would  not  be able  to bring  a                                                               
nomination.   If his nomination  were accepted, he  described the                                                               
multi-step  process  that  would  follow, and  concluded  HB  138                                                               
creates a maze of bureaucracy,  which would be extremely hard for                                                               
Alaskans  to overcome  in order  to  protect their  waters.   Mr.                                                               
Cannon  observed the  committee's  vote  to move  HB  138 out  of                                                               
committee will  indicate to constituents whether  a legislator is                                                               
voting on the side  of the people and science, or  on the side of                                                               
unnecessary government  bureaucracy and corporate polluters.   He                                                               
urged the committee to oppose HB 138.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:57:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SKWEIT MORGAN  began her testimony  in her Native language.   She                                                               
said her English name is Jessie Morgan  and she is a child of the                                                               
Eagle/Killerwhale and is Raven/Sockeye from  Haines.  Speaking as                                                               
Tlingit, and  an Alaskan, she said  she opposes HB 138;  the bill                                                               
does  not create  a nomination  or  designation process,  because                                                               
both  already exist,  but  is intended  to  increase barriers  to                                                               
tribal  governments who  seek to  restore sovereignty  over their                                                               
land and waters.  Ms. Morgan  said the Chilkat Indian Village and                                                               
Klukwan are  owned by  the Tlingit people,  and because  of their                                                               
respect for salmon  and the knowledge of  their ancestors, Alaska                                                               
still has salmon;  however, the mismanagement of  the fishery has                                                               
impacted communities  that depend  on the  Chilkat River  and its                                                               
salmon.    She said  salmon  returns  are unpredictable  and  the                                                               
government should not  remove the right to  protect clean waters.                                                               
Ms. Morgan said Alaska is not  open for business and restated her                                                               
opposition to HB 138.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:00:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ANDREA  HERNANDEZ said  she is  a 46-year  resident of  Southeast                                                               
Alaska.   She expressed her  understanding that rivers  have been                                                               
nominated  for Tier  3 designation,  but nominations  are waiting                                                               
for a  specific process  with which  to officially  designate the                                                               
rivers.    Ms. Hernandez  urged  the  committee to  hear  further                                                               
public testimony if  the legislation is necessary.   She spoke in                                                               
opposition to  HB 138 because she  does not want to  take science                                                               
out of the  process and thereby make the  process more political,                                                               
which would  not work.  She  said all Alaskans value  clean water                                                               
and need to be assured there  is a fair and science-based process                                                               
in place to protect water resources;  as a resident who relies on                                                               
commercial  salmon fishing  for her  livelihood, nothing  is more                                                               
important.  Ms. Hernandez agreed  with previous testimony that it                                                               
should be easier to protect waterways than to pollute them.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:02:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SARAH DAVIDSON  disclosed she  manages the  water program  at the                                                               
Southeast Alaska Conservation Council and  is speaking on her own                                                               
behalf.   She expressed  her opposition to  HB 138,  [Version K],                                                               
noting  the committee  substitute, like  the previous  version of                                                               
the bill,  does not provide  an adequate pathway for  Alaskans to                                                               
protect the waters on which  they depend.  A three-step political                                                               
process,  rather than  an  administrative science-based  process,                                                               
ensures  there  will never  be  a  Tier  3 water  designation  in                                                               
Alaska.   Further,  requiring that  the nominator  pay all  costs                                                               
puts the onus  on local communities that have  fewer resources to                                                               
prevent,  mitigate, and  respond to  contaminated water  and food                                                               
sources.  She said by  continuing to permit pollution without the                                                               
consent of  - or response  from - the most  affected communities,                                                               
the state puts profit over public  health and safety.  Water is a                                                               
common good that belongs to all  and must be actively managed for                                                               
the good of all; local knowledge  and local experts should have a                                                               
place and a voice in protecting  waters.  A Tier 3 designation is                                                               
the only way  for Alaskans to protect their  pristine waters, and                                                               
the  designation  process  must be  accessible,  affordable,  and                                                               
science-based,   in  order   to   meet  the   purpose  of   EPA's                                                               
antidegradation  mandate.    Ms.   Davidson  strongly  urged  the                                                               
committee to oppose the bill.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:05:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
EMILY  ANDERSON, Alaska  Program  Director,  Wild Salmon  Center,                                                               
informed  the committee  she is  an attorney  who specializes  in                                                               
natural  resource  law  and  who  has  followed  the  outstanding                                                               
national resource water (ONRW) issue  for ten years.  She pointed                                                               
out the  process to  establish Tier  3 waters in  the state  is a                                                               
mandate of  the Clean Water  Act.  The legislature  has delegated                                                               
to  DEC the  authority  to  set water  quality  standards and  to                                                               
classify Alaska waters into tiers;  DEC has established a process                                                               
to  regulate  Tier  1,  2,  and 3  waters,  but  has  refused  to                                                               
establish  an administrative  process to  nominate and  designate                                                               
Tier 3 waters.   She urged for the committee  to question whether                                                               
the process drafted  in HB 138 is fairly  balanced and accessible                                                               
to  the public.    She opined  the decision  should  be based  on                                                               
whether Alaskans  can act to  protect clean water  and fisheries;                                                               
furthermore, decisions  to protect water should  be science-based                                                               
and not based  on political policy.  Ms. Anderson  said DEC is in                                                               
the best position  to make a science-based  decision, rather than                                                               
the legislature.   In addition,  the proposed nominations  do not                                                               
need  to be  processed twice,  and  HB 138  establishes a  highly                                                               
political process  in doing  so.  If  the legislature  chooses to                                                               
establish an  advisory commission,  it should  include parameters                                                               
for members  of the commission and  delegate nominating authority                                                               
to the  commission; in addition,  commission members  should have                                                               
minimum subject  matter qualifications.  She  concluded the state                                                               
constitution  reserves   fish,  wildlife,   and  water   for  its                                                               
citizens.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ asked for the meaning of science-based.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MS. ANDERSON explained if the  nomination process is not based in                                                               
an  understanding of  the  value of  the  waterway to  residents,                                                               
fisheries,  water  quality,  and other  scientific  aspects,  the                                                               
process  becomes political;  if so,  the reasons  to pollute  the                                                               
water could outweigh the other values.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR TARR recalled there  is disagreement between legislative                                                               
and executive  branch attorneys as  to whether DEC  is authorized                                                               
by  the  state  constitution  to  independently  make  a  Tier  3                                                               
designation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. ANDERSON expressed  her support for the opinion  put forth by                                                               
legislative  legal services,  because the  legislature has  broad                                                               
authority  to  delegate  appropriation powers  to  the  executive                                                               
branch,  and thereby  through  DEC.   The  issue addresses  water                                                               
quality standards,  and DEC holds  the authority to  create water                                                               
quality standards and thus antidegradation policy.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:11:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JESSICA  PLACHTA, Executive  Director,  Lynn Canal  Conservation,                                                               
informed the committee Lynn Canal  Conservation (LCG) is based in                                                               
the Chilkat  Valley and represents  over 300 local members.   She                                                               
spoke  in  opposition  to  HB  138  and  in  support  of  Tier  3                                                               
nominations  put forth  by  Alaska Native  Tribes.   The  Chilkat                                                               
Valley was formed by the  Chilkat River which has been recognized                                                               
as  one of  America's top  ten most  endangered rivers,  and that                                                               
five years  ago was nominated  by the Chilkat Indian  Village for                                                               
Tier 3  designation.   She opined  HB 138  is worse  than nothing                                                               
because it would drown DEC's  informed science-based authority in                                                               
red tape.   Further, HB  138 would  give the governor  veto power                                                               
over  Tier 3  designations, the  governor's appointed  commission                                                               
would  vet nominations,  and the  right to  clean water  would be                                                               
politicized.    Health,   subsistence-based  food  security,  and                                                               
economies depend upon clean water,  as do the fishing and tourism                                                               
industries.   Endangering  water quality  also endangers  health,                                                               
wealth, well-being, the  rights of indigenous people,  and one of                                                               
the  world's last  valuable and  healthy salmon  runs.   The bill                                                               
also takes  away the rights  of Alaskans and risks  Alaska's most                                                               
sustainable  and lucrative  industries;  HB  138 is  unnecessary,                                                               
unjust,  and  scientifically unsound.    She  suggested the  bill                                                               
should be  referred to the  House Special Committee  on Fisheries                                                               
and the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:14:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MEREDITH   TRAINOR,   Executive    Director,   Southeast   Alaska                                                               
Conservation Council  (SEACC), informed the committee  SEACC is a                                                               
regional conservation  nonprofit based in  Juneau.  She  said she                                                               
was speaking  on behalf  of over  2,500 Alaskan  SEACC supporters                                                               
and  530  supporters  who  have signed  a  petition  rejecting  a                                                               
political  process for  evaluating Tier  3 nominations.   In  its                                                               
current form,  HB 138  would make it  nearly impossible  that any                                                               
Tier  3  waterbody would  ever  be  designated  in Alaska.    The                                                               
ability of  a citizen  to nominate  waters for  Tier 3,  or ONRW,                                                               
status  is  a necessary  complement  to  the ability  of  private                                                               
citizens  and  industry  to  pollute  some  of  Alaska's  waters.                                                               
Further,  if   some  of  Alaska's   waters  are   of  exceptional                                                               
significance,  there  must  be  a mechanism  to  achieve  Tier  3                                                               
designation.    She  said the  appropriate  body  for  evaluating                                                               
nominations is DEC; DEC's mission  is to protect human health and                                                               
the  environment, which  aligns  with  the purpose  of  a Tier  3                                                               
designation.   However, DEC's ability  to fulfil its  mission has                                                               
been diminished  in recent years  by funding cuts and  changes in                                                               
leadership.   Ms.  Trainor stressed  sufficient  funding must  be                                                               
restored  to DEC  in  order  that it  may  evaluate  the type  of                                                               
projects that impair  or damage state waters, and  using the best                                                               
science available,  evaluate nominations of  Tier 3 waters.   She                                                               
pointed out it is the responsibility  of the legislature to do no                                                               
additional  harm to  Alaska's natural  environment and  to ensure                                                               
residents have the  ability to identify parts  of the environment                                                               
that  are  truly  exceptional  and  should  be  protected.    She                                                               
concluded SEACC opposes HB 138 as written.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
[HB 138 was held over with public testimony open.]                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:18:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:18 p.m.                                                                 

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 138 Draft CS v. K.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/11/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/13/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB 138 Sectional Analysis v. K 2.4.2020.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/11/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/13/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB 138 Sponsor Statement 2.4.2020.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/11/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/13/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 18 AAC 70.016 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 House Natural Resources Request for a Hearing 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 40 CFR Part 131 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Sponsor Statement version U 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Material Commissioner Hartig Letter to Senate 4.22.2019.PDF HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Material DEC Final Tier 3 Guidance 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/11/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Material DEC Tier 3 response 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Material DEC Tier 3 Water Designation FAQ 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/11/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Material DNR Fact Sheet Legislatively Designated Areas 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 version A 4.22.2019.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - Chilkat Indian Village Letter of Opposition 4.26.19.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - DEC P&P re Tier 3 Nomination 11.21.18.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Fiscal Note 4.26.19.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - Cook Inletkeeper Letter of Opposition 4.26.19.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Letters of Opposition 4.29.19.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 Coalition Letter of Support 4.28.19.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Letters of Opposition 4.29.19.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 Suppporting Document - Doyon Letter of Support 4.26.19.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - DEC attachment sent to EPA 3.6.2018.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - AML Presentation Tier 3 Designation Impact 05.03.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - Legal Opinion re HB 138 and Ballot Initiatives 5.1.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/11/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB 138 Supporting Documents - SEACC Letter and Reference Material 05.01.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Letters of Opposition 05.02.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Suppporting Document - Doyon Letter of Support 4.26.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 Coalition Letter of Support 4.28.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 Supporting Documents - Chilkat Indian Village.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 Supporting Document - DEC State Tier 3 Review 5.3.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB138 Supporting Document - EPA to DEC Email 11.23.18.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - Legal Opinion re DEC Statutory Authority to Designate Tier 3 Waters 5.2.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/9/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 3/11/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Opposing Document - Letter in Opposition to House Resources Committee from SEACC - 5.1.19 (002).pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Supporting Document - Conitz Letter of Opposition 05.02.19.pdf HRES 5/3/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB138 Additional Letters of Opposition.pdf HRES 4/29/2019 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/14/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138
HB 138 Slides 2.8.20.pdf HRES 2/10/2020 1:00:00 PM
HRES 2/17/2020 1:00:00 PM
HB 138