HOUSE BILL NO. 330 An Act relating to management of noxious weeds and invasive plants; establishing the Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Board; and establishing the noxious weed and invasive plant management fund. REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, SPONSOR, noted that a constituent in his district purchased a strawberry plant in which they found a Canadian thistle growing. The Canadian thistle is an invasive species. Many types of invasive plants are prolific and can cause much economic damage. The State of Alaska has nothing in place to address these types of concerns. He added, there are federal dollars for states that have certain criteria in place for eradicating invasive species: • Each state must have a policy in place • The state would be required to have a weed- coordinator position • The state is required to have a board that directs that position Representative Johnson added, after statewide meetings last summer, a plan was submitted which allows the State to qualify for some of those federal monies. He pointed out that Alaska is in a unique situation; many states are currently spending a lot of money to address invasive plants that are ruining crops and devastating wildlife habitat. Alaska has not reached a critical situation yet; he worried, however, that salmon spawning streams eventually would be blocked by certain species of plants. JEANNE OSTNES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, mentioned an event that happened in December when a plane load of 3,000 contaminated Christmas trees arrived in Alaska. The airport did not have a specific plan in place to address the situation. She warned, Alaska needs a policy in place. Ms. Ostnes continued, the legislation began as a bill through the summer with hearings held, attempting to build a board. During the process, it has been determined the fiscal impact to revise regulations for creation of a weed board. The note has been decreased to cover only the coordinator position. The ideas were submitted during the statewide discussions: • To develop the program within the Department of Natural Resources • Appoint a coordinator • Revise the regulations • Develop a plan for the State Ms. Ostnes pointed out that the fiscal note was dropped from $237 thousand dollars to $80 thousand dollars with a sunset provision for the position. She listed tasks associated with the weed coordinator position. 3:08:33 PM Representative Gara commented that the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT) is the largest purveyor of noxious weeds. He pointed out that Department puts dandelions in their grass seed in the right-of-way expansion. He asked if there would be objection to mandating that Department alter its seeding policy. Representative Johnson noted the importance to discern that the Department is not planting plants that are dangerous. The work of the board would be to suggest regulations that require certified seed stock. Representative Gara acknowledged that none of those weeds were dangerous except that they take away habit for native plants. He understood that it is more expensive to use native seeds, as addressed in the original fiscal note. Representative Johnson reiterated that there are plants that are dangerous and that there must be a distinction between dangerous plants and natural species being replaced. The intention of the bill is not to address the seedlings used by the Department of Transportation, but address dangerous plants. 3:13:14 PM Ms. Ostnes pointed out that 59% of the Alaska lands are federal holdings, 12% Native lands, 28% State lands and 1% private. Co-Chair Meyer inquired if the federal government had a program in place. 3:15:05 PM GINO GRAZIANO, VICE CHAIR, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ALASKA COMMITTEE FOR NOXIOUS WEEDS AND INVASIVE PLANTS MANAGEMENT (CNIPM), ANCHORAGE, directed his comments toward the legislative impacts and what has been accomplished to date. He spoke to the impacts of invasive plants and how they are affecting agriculture as well as tourism, wildlife and fisheries resource and management. He pointed out that Alaska is valued pristine areas and that the noxious plants can have harmful affects on tourism. Invasive plants displace many of the wildflowers and native useable plant vegetation. Plants such as purple loosestrife can clog wetlands and block fish passages. Mr. Graziano pointed out that some states are attempting to restore spawning habit to comply with the Federal Endangered Species Act. As well, land values have diminished in many states because of the spotted knapweed. Agriculturally, it is difficult to sell certain parcels of land covered with spotted knapweed. Mr. Graziano agreed with Representative Johnson regarding the large amounts other states are spending to control many of these plant species. He pointed out that there are over ten locations in Alaska where the spotted knapweed has been spotted. Mr. Graziano referenced purple loose strife, which recently was added to Alaska's noxious weed list. The plant does migrate into water bodies, clogging those areas and that nothing else can grow in there. Much needs to be done in the State to prevent it from spreading. 3:20:53 PM Mr. Graziano referenced leafy spurge, a plant currently not present in Alaska. The plant is toxic to stock and wild life. It costs agricultural producers and tax payers in the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming over $144 million dollars per year to manage. The sap can cause blisters and blindness. It is not found in Alaska yet but could find its way to the State. It currently does exist in the Yukon, Canada. Vice-Chair Stoltze encouraged more testimony regarding conservation issues & solutions since problems statewide have been identified. Mr. Graziano hoped that creating a State coordinator position would bring Alaska into to a participating roll in invasive plant management, by developing a strategic plan including all the necessary State agencies including the Department of Transportation, Department of Fish and Game and Department of Environmental Conservation. He added the roll of the position would share strategic information to locate infestations of weeds and then determine the necessary prevention tactics. The position could make recommendations for seeds, not including invasive plants. Current regulations are out of date. 3:24:12 PM Mr. Graziano advised that the direction must come from the State through a strategic plan. The weed coordinator position should work with the already established organizations to help support existing weed management efforts. There are federal dollars available through the Noxious Weed Act. He urged a State program to support those efforts. 3:25:33 PM Representative Gara asked about the Department of Transportation's involvement with the concern. Mr. Graziano responded that the Department is a key player in the issues and should be given direction on how best to provide safety on the roadsides. Representative Gara inquired if the Department had planted anything that concerned CNIPM. Mr. Graziano replied white sweet clover and reed canary grass have been planted by Department of Transportation and Public Facilities contractors along the roadside, both of which proven are proven to infest riparian areas on the Kenai peninsula. He added, the Peninsula is working to develop management strategies to address these concerns. The plant has proven to cause siltation of the gravel bars that salmon use for spawning. He listed a number of noxious weeds present on the roadsides. 3:27:58 PM ERIC WADE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the legislation echoing comments made by Mr. Graziano. He pointed out that the weed coordinator position would work with various conservation districts, departments statewide and the science community. He urged that action be taken by the Legislature to address the concerns. Vice-Chair Stoltze pointed out that there has been very little leadership coming from the Division of Agriculture management team. Representative Johnson reminded the Committee that many of the testifiers are passionate about the issue. He stated that the bill brings together interested voices, helping to create a plan and providing a small funding stipend. 3:31:27 PM BRYCE WRIGLEY, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PRESIDENT, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, WASILLA, spoke in support of the legislation, stressing the importance of putting resources toward such a proposal. He urged greater support from State agencies. He commented that if action is delayed, the State will need much more funding than the requested $80 thousand dollars. He attested to the effectiveness to early and aggressive response and urged passage of the bill. 3:33:28 PM MICHELE HEBERT, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), CHAIR, LAND RESOURCES PROGRAM COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA-FAIRBANKS, spoke in favor of HB 330. She noted that within the agricultural community, the State should be cautious not to leave out invasive insects & plant diseases, both of which fall under the category of agricultural pests. 3:36:29 PM LORI ZAMSEIL, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), COMMITTEE AGAINST NOXIOUS WEEDS IN THE NORTH (CANWIN), ANCHORAGE, testified in favor of the legislation. She emphasized the severity of the problem, explaining that passage would bring federal money into the State for coordination of services to address the issues in an organized and coordinated effort. She reiterated the urgency for the legislation to quickly pass. 3:39:21 PM PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED. Co-Chair Meyer stated that SB 330 would be HELD in Committee to create a new work draft. Representative Thomas mentioned concerns involving invasive marine plants. He asked if the Department of Fish and Game handles those concerns. Representative Johnson reported the problem is new and quite complicated. He maintained that starting the process with plants is more doable during a 90-day session. He hoped to see language expanded down the road to address all invasive species. Representative Thomas thought that more than one position would be needed to handle the load. Representative Johnson explained how the clearing house is anticipated to be set up, hiring a weed coordinator and appointing a board to go after the federal dollars. He believed that the legislation provides a reasonable process. Representative Thomas pointed out that in one season in Juneau alone, over 6,000 gallons of Round Up was sold at Costco. 3:47:29 PM Ms. Ostnes referenced the chart, "Explosive Growth" contained in member's packets. (Copy on File). She maintained that currently, Alaska is in a lag phase. HB 330 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.