SB 188-TANANA VALLEY STATE FOREST  4:53:10 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 188 "An Act expanding the Tanana Valley State Forest; and providing for an effective date." 4:53:43 PM JEREMY DOUSE, State Forester and Director, Alaska Division Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fairbanks, Alaska, introduced SB 188 on behalf of the sponsor and stated that the bill proposes expansion of the Tanana Valley State Forest (TVSF). 4:54:01 PM MR. DOUSE moved to slide 2, Tanana Valley State Forest, and stated that state forests are designated by the legislature under AS 41.17.200 for timber management while allowing other beneficial uses. He said the Tanana Valley State Forest, established in 1983, is one of three state forests and is managed under AS 41.17. TVSF has a wildlife habitat objective under AS 41.17.400, requiring coordination with Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to protect habitat during timber management. He said that a Citizens Advisory Committee helps guide management, and the forest supports activities such as mining, material sites, recreation, hunting, trapping, and snowmachining. 4:55:35 PM MR. DOUSE moved to slide 3, Expanding Tanana Valley State Forest (TVSF), and stated that SB 188 proposes expanding the state forest by about 600,000 acres. The map shows existing state forests in green and the proposed additions in yellow. He said some of these areas are already being actively managed, including current timber sales and infrastructure development. All proposed lands are designated for forestry in the DNR area plan, which also recommends adding them to the state forest. 4:56:37 PM MR. DOUSE moved to slide 4, Why Increase TVSF, and stated that the division is actively managing some of these areas by building roads, planting, and developing infrastructure to support future timber crops. These productive sites ensure long- term timber availability and signal to the industry that future timber sale opportunities exist for business growth. 4:57:26 PM MR. DOUSE moved to slide 5, State Forest Expansion Process, and stated that foresters identified these areas as productive for forestry using remote sensing and soil data. During DNR area plan updates, the division recommends designating such sites for forestry, as done in the Eastern Tanana and Yukon-Tanana area plans. Through the area plan process, the division can recommend adding lands to the State Foresttypically adjacent or connected areas for best land use. After a public process, including notices and hearings in Tanana Valley communities, feedback is considered. He said if supported, the administration prepares a legislative proposal with public testimony, preliminary forest inventory (from 2014), and a Forest Management Plan. Any additions would require only a focused update to the nearly completed plan. 5:00:25 PM MR. DOUSE moved to slide 6, Plan Recommendations, and stated that the areas on the map were recommended in the Eastern Tanana and Yukon-Tanana area plans, as well as the State Forest Management Plan, each through separate public processes. 5:00:47 PM MR. DOUSE moved to slide 7, Public Comment, and stated that public meetings were held May 528 in Fairbanks, Antioch, and Delta Junction, plus two virtual sessions. He said overall, there was general support for expanding the state forest, with most questions focused on technical issues like local vs. export markets, carbon projects, and land management processes. 5:01:56 PM MR. DOUSE moved to slide 8, Non-Timber use of TVSF, and stated that non-timber uses, like recreation, in the Tanana Valley State Forest are common. He said various organizations provide programs in the state forest, and TVSF remains publicly accessible. 5:02:55 PM BRENT GOODRUM, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 188 and stated that he is in favor of increased use of the forests and management of the resources. He said that the state forests provide access, recreational opportunities, and easier resource care. Adding these lands to the state forest ensures future investment and better management. 5:03:50 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 188 in committee.