HB 70-CREAMER'S FIELD REFUGE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:58:05 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BISHOP  called the  committee back  to order.  He announced                                                               
the consideration of HB 70.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:58:28 PM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE  ADAM  WOOL,  Alaska  State  Legislature,  Juneau,                                                               
Alaska, sponsor  for HB 70, said  the bill did come  through both                                                               
bodies  last year  and  was vetoed  by the  governor  due to  the                                                               
having  an  incorrect  land  description.   He  stated  that  the                                                               
decision  was  made  to  reintroduce  the  bill  with  the  right                                                               
description.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
He  explained  that  Creamer's Field  is  a  migratory  waterfowl                                                               
refuge  located near  the center  of Fairbanks  that consists  of                                                               
four  parcels that  were purchased  by the  state many  years ago                                                               
with the intent  of being added to the refuge.  He explained that                                                               
HB 70 would simply transfer  the four parcels from the Department                                                               
of Natural Resources over to the  Department of Fish and Game. He                                                               
noted that  the Friends of  Creamer's Field is a  nonprofit group                                                               
that works  with the Department of  Fish and manages the  land as                                                               
part of the refuge.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:59:32 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR EGAN  pointed out that  the previous  legislation's title                                                               
for  Creamer's   Field  Refuge  was   broadened  to   include  an                                                               
appropriation for the House of Wickersham located in Juneau.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:00:08 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:00:34 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BISHOP  called the  committee back  to order  and announced                                                               
that public comment will be taken.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:01:14 PM                                                                                                                    
DAVID   JAMES,   Regional   Supervisor,  Division   of   Wildlife                                                               
Conservation,  Alaska Department  of  Fish  and Game,  Fairbanks,                                                               
Alaska, announced that he was available to answer questions.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:01:30 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BISHOP announced that HB 70 will be held in committee.