SCR 16-AVALANCHE AWARENESS MONTH                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. JERRY BURNETT, Legislative staff for Senator Lyda Green, stated                                                             
each year Alaskans lose their lives as a result of avalanches.  One                                                             
of the worst years was 1999, when 14 people were killed by                                                                      
avalanches in Alaska.  Often, nothing can be done to prevent                                                                    
avalanches from occurring, much can be done to prevent the loss of                                                              
life from avalanches.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SCR 16 would proclaim November as "Avalanche Awareness Month."                                                                  
This proclamation would raise public awareness of the hazards                                                                   
associated with avalanches, and the opportunities to participate in                                                             
avalanche safety training at the beginning of the winter recreation                                                             
season.  It is hoped that the public participation in avalanche                                                                 
safety programs would be increased and that this increased                                                                      
participation would result in saved lives during the winter.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The need for SCR 16 was brought to Senator Green's attention by the                                                             
Backcountry Avalanche Awareness Response Team (BAART).                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS. AEDENE ARTHUR, representing herself, stated her son Aaron, was                                                              
one of the 14 people who lost their lives in 1999.  In memory of                                                                
these people BAART was founded, in hopes that other deaths would                                                                
not occur from avalanches.  November was chosen for "Avalanche                                                                  
Awareness Month" so a campaign for avalanche safety measures would                                                              
be given at the beginning of the winter season.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SCR 16 would educate Alaskans on avalanche awareness, safety                                                                    
measures, proper equipment, and how to use it.  November is an                                                                  
optimum time to emphasize awareness and safety equipment, as this                                                               
is when Alaskans thoughts turn to winter activities and many                                                                    
purchase outdoor equipment.  Emphasizing these topics in November                                                               
would allow time for people to think about purchasing safety                                                                    
equipment such as: probes, shovels, and avalanche beacons as                                                                    
Christmas gifts.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
November is a prime time for presentations of awareness and safety                                                              
classes in schools and community classes.  Many response teams will                                                             
be practicing at this time, by raising awareness for the importance                                                             
of these groups perhaps more people will be inclined to be trained                                                              
to help in emergency situations.  Ms. Arthur stated support for SCR                                                             
16.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MS. CHRIS NOAKES, President of BAART, stated support for SCR 16.                                                                
The State no longer has an avalanche warning system in place,                                                                   
federal law does mandate Alaska have an avalanche warning system.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GREEN stated this year's budget money was returned to an                                                                
avalanche awareness program.  That money should increase next year,                                                             
and continue to grow from there on.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. CLEVE COYNE, representing himself, stated support for SCR 16.                                                               
Losing someone to an avalanche affects everyone in the family and                                                               
in Alaska.  Information should be made more available on avalanches                                                             
and awareness.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MS. PATSY COYNE, representing herself, stated support for SCR 16.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON stated SCR 16 is an important step toward informing                                                               
people on the dangers of avalanches.  Financial resources should be                                                             
given to groups like BAART so they have an enhanced ability to                                                                  
inform Alaskans.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GREEN moved SCR 16 out of committee with individual                                                                     
recommendations.  Without objection, the motion carried.