SB 12 - FOREST PRACTICES: STREAMS/TRIBUTARIES Number 0934 CO-CHAIR JERRY SANDERS announced the next order of business would be Senate Bill No. 12, "An Act classifying anadromous streams and tributaries; relating to the designation of riparian areas; establishing buffers on certain streams and relating to slope stability standards on certain streams; and requiring retention of low value timber along certain water bodies where prudent." Number 0946 SENATOR JERRY MACKIE, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 12, came forward and asked Representative Phillips to join him at the table. He explained that Representative Phillips' bill had passed both bodies the previous year. She had asked Senator Mackie to introduce SB 12 in the Senate, where it passed rapidly by a vote of 20-0. They are continuing to work together to see this happen. SENATOR MACKIE read from the sponsor statement: Senate Bill 12 is the result of a cooperative effort by forest users to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of the Forest Practices Act and recommend any improvements that would strengthen the protection of Alaska's streams and water quality. In 1996, the Board of Forestry established a science and technical committee, comprised of scientists from the timber, commercial fishing, and environmental communities, as well as state and federal agencies, to review and assess expressed concerns about the adequacy of the Act's protections. The committee's two-year study identified several opportunities to improve salmon habitat and water quality. A stakeholders committee then convened to incorporate these findings into the recommendations to the board. The board subsequently endorsed these recommendations and requested legislative approval of the appropriate measures. Senate Bill 12 affects only the spruce and hemlock forests in the Department of Natural Resources' designated Region 1. This is the coastal area from Ketchikan to Kodiak. Under current regulations, all anadromous streams are protected, although exceptions are allowed for marginal streams. ... Senate Bill 12 will eliminate all exceptions and provide additional protections. As a result, the bill accomplishes several goals: 1. It assigns a "type" classification that covers all streams, putting to rest concerns that some segments of anadromous streams were not included for protection. 2. It extends the no-harvest, riparian buffer zone to ALL anadromous fish streams, relative to "type." 3. It requires the retention of low-value timber along certain tributaries where prudent, so that trees may eventually fall into streams, forming natural pools downstream that are important for fish rearing. I am pleased to sponsor this legislation that is a product of so much time, effort and deliberation by members of the timber, fishing and environmental communities. It is a cooperative step forward in the protection and wise utilization of our resources. Number 1128 SENATOR MACKIE advised members that the forest industry is probably the primary mover behind this. He commended them for advocating larger buffer zones and more protection in terms of logging. He said the forest industry has lived up to its commitment in supporting the science that will better protect our streams. Senator Mackie noted that present were Mr. Phelps of the Alaska Forest Association, Mr. Jahnke of the Division of Forestry; and Jerry McCune of the United Fishermen of Alaska. He assured members that this is a consensus bill among the various users of the resources. He knows of no opposition to it. Number 1246 REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS, Alaska State Legislature, told members that support for the prior year's resolution was virtually unanimous last session, and support for SB 12 was unanimous in the Senate last week. It is consensus legislation, developed from a great deal of work by all parties involved. They had addressed Area 1 first and have now started work on Area 2; eventually they will have re-evaluated the Forest Practices Act for the entire state. SENATOR MACKIE pointed out that the commercial fishing industry and members from the environmental community have been very supportive. Committee packets contain a zero fiscal note, maps showing the regions affected, classifications and studies. Number 1384 CO-CHAIR SANDERS advised members that he would offer the Administration and the industry an opportunity to comment, even though everyone seemed to be in agreement. Number 1401 JEFF JAHNKE, Director, Division of Forestry, Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and Presiding Officer, Board of Forestry, came forward in support of SB 12, specifying that he spoke on behalf of both the DNR and the board. He said Senator Mackie had done a great job of explaining the bill. Mr. Jahnke emphasized the participation in developing this resolution, which is carefully worded and has agreement. He cautioned that too many changes may make agreement difficult to sustain. CO-CHAIR SANDERS asked whether anyone else wished to testify; no one came forward. Number 1464 REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a motion to move SB 12 from the committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note(s); she asked unanimous consent. There being no objection, SB 12 moved from the House Resources Standing Committee.