HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 53 Relating to support for federal legislation providing for the continuation of the University of Alaska by the conveyance of federal land to the university. Representative Kelly, Sponsor, noted that HJR 53 supports federal Senate Bill 660, by Senator Murkowski, which would convey 250,000 acres of federal land to the University of Alaska. (Tape Change, HFC 98 - 33, Side 2) Representative Kelly maintained that the state of Alaska received a smaller proportion of federal land for education than any other state. In 1913, the state of Alaska was granted 330,000 acres. Only approximately 110,000 acres were conveyed. He maintained that it is time to give the University of Alaska more money through land management. He asserted that the University has done a good job of managing their lands. Co-Chair Therriault pointed out that the state of Alaska would match the federal land grant, acre by acre. He observed that there is a possibility that another 250,000 acres could be traded for university land held in national parks. MARC WHEELER, SOUTHEAST ALASKA CONSERVATION COUNCIL (SEACC) testified in opposition to HJR 53. He provided members with a copy of his written testimony and a copy of SEACC's statement before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on September 11, 1997. He observed that SEACC is a coalition of fifteen local communities, volunteer conservation groups in twelve Southeast Alaska communities, from Ketchikan to Yakutat. Members include commercial fishermen, Native Alaskans, hunters and guides, tourism and recreation business owners, value-added wood product manufacturers, and Alaskans from all walks of life. He maintained that SEACC is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of Southeast Alaska's unsurpassed natural environment while providing for balanced, sustainable use of our region's resources. He noted while SEACC supports adequate funding of the University of Alaska by the Alaska State Legislature that SEACC strongly opposes S.660. He stated that as amended by the Senate Energy Committee on September, 1997, S.660 would allow the University of Alaska to select at least 250,000 acres of National Forests and other federal land within Alaska that are not "conservation system units" (as defined in ANILCA (Public Law 96-487). These include National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Monuments, and Wilderness Areas or Legislated LUD II areas protected by the Tongass Timber Reform Act of 1990 (TTRA). Up to 250,000 additional acres of National Forest and other federal land could be selected if matched by an equal acreage from State lands. Under this bill, half a million acres of public lands, including lands within the Tongass and Chugach National Forests, could be selected for clearcutting and other damaging uses. Mr. Wheeler asserted that the University has never acted as careful stewards because it has been forced to squeeze as much revenue from their lands as possible. He maintained that the University would select lands, which they can turn into fast cash. He alleged that the University would "target Tongass old-growth timberlands and level them as quickly as possible". He asserted that the University does not manage for multiple use, but instead manages "their lands much like private lands -- laying down massive clearcuts and exporting round logs, while placing the absolute minimum protections on fish and wildlife habitat." He noted that the University hired Wasser and Winters, an out-of-state firm, to log its timber holdings near Cape Yakataga. According to the Alaska Department of Labor, over 70 percent of Wasser and Winters' employees in 1995 were non-residents. Mr. Wheeler concluded that the legislation threatens all parts of the Tongass not permanently protected by Congress. He observed that 10 Southeast Alaskan communities and 2 tribal governments have gone on record opposing this legislation. Mr. Wheeler observed that the Morrill Act of 1862 created the land grant system of colleges and universities. This Act granted lands based on states' population, not size. Alaska ranks 48th in the size of federal land grants given for education. Alaska also ranks 49th in terms of population. The University currently holds roughly 140,000 acres of fee simple land and 173,326 acres of investment property in all. He maintained that "with this ample land grant and adequate funding from the State of Alaska, our University system should be able to provide quality education for all Alaskans". Co-Chair Therriault noted that the University's management has been in accordance with the state's Forest Practices Act. He maintained that the Forest Practices Act is considered to be the "Cadillac" of forest practices legislation. Mr. Wheeler replied that there are minimal buffers on fish streams and protections for wildlife habitat. He referred to helicopter logging operations in Ketchikan. In response to a question by Representative Davies, Mr. Wheeler acknowledged that the University of Alaska is not required to clear-cut lands. He asserted that "the University's land trust is required to manage for the benefit of that trust, which requires it to make the most money possible...their interpretation to that has been to clear cut and export to round logs to make the most money..." Representative Davies asked if Mr. Wheeler was maintaining that the University has never acted as a careful steward of their lands. Mr. Wheeler stated that he could only judge by the examples in Southeast Alaska. Representative Davies pointed out that in the University has entered into negotiated stakeholder processes with SEACC and other environmental communities on some Southeast operations. All parties agreed to the process that resulted. Mr. Wheeler maintained that the agreements were driven by the political realities of the time. He stressed that the legislation does not require the University to manage their lands in anyway that is more protective than the national forest. He stressed that the Tongass Plan has considerable improvements over fish and wildlife habitat protections. He maintained that these would be. Representative Davies ascertained that Mr. Wheeler had not read the Board of Regents policy with respect to public comment on land management that was adopted in 1997. He disagreed with Mr. Wheeler's assertion that the University is not a careful steward. He maintained that the University does not adopt clear cutting in a way that is inconsistent with the Forest Practices Act and careful stewardship. Representative Grussendorf expressed concern with logging operations by the University in Southeast Alaska. Representative Martin MOVED to report HJR 53 out of Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. Co-Chair Therriault noted that the House Finance Committee has submitted a zero fiscal note for the University of Alaska. He observed that the University supports a zero fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HJR 53 was out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a zero fiscal note for the University of Alaska.