SB 195-MAKE GOLDSTREAM PUBLIC USE AREA PERMANENT  1:09:08 PM CO-CHAIR JOHNSON announced that the next order of business is SENATE BILL NO. 195, "An Act relating to the repeal of the establishment of the Goldstream Public Use Area." SENATOR JOE THOMAS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 195, explained that the bill's purpose is to remove the sunset provision from the Goldstream Public Use Area. He paraphrased from the following written sponsor statement: The Goldstream Public use Area (GPUA) was created in 1990 by Senator Bettye Fahrenkamp and Representative Mike Davis in order to preserve the recreational opportunities, traditional uses and atmosphere of the local neighborhoods. The GPUA is set to sunset on July 1st, 2010, unless SB 195 is passed this session. The GPUA encompasses a patchwork of nearly 2000 acres of state land bordered by Sheep Creek Road to the west, Goldstream Road to the north and the Steese Highway to the east. The GPUA is home to an ever- growing network of trails that connect users to the Chatanika River Valley, the White Mountains and the Fairbanks area, all from a central location close to Fairbanks' population base. The GPUA is passively managed by the state and the trails are maintained by volunteers at no cost to the taxpayers. All uses are allowed in the area and the GPUA is utilized year round by a variety of outdoor enthusiasts and families. The repeal of the GPUA's sunset clause is actively supported by the Alaska Outdoor Council, Alaska Dog Mushing Association, Alaska Miners Association, Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, Alaska Trapper's Association, Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association, Fairbanks Snow Travelers, Northern Area State Parks Advisory Board, Fairbanks North Star Borough Trails Advisory Board, Alaska Trails, Interior trails Preservation Coalition, Interior Alaska Land Trust, Arctic Audubon Society, and the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. SENATOR THOMAS further noted that nearly 200 individuals have written letters of support. He said the companion bill, HB 250, is sponsored by Representatives Kelly and Guttenberg. He thanked his constituents, Richard and Mary Bishop, for their support and hard work for the Goldstream Public Use Area over the years. Mr. Bishop was the original impetus for the GPUA back in 1989 and is the person who alerted legislators of the area's impeding sunset. He asked for the committee's support. 1:12:23 PM CO-CHAIR NEUMAN said he likes that this is a multi-use trail open to all user groups. SENATOR THOMAS, in response to Representative Tuck, said the GPUA encompasses all of the various areas shown within the blue lines depicted on the map in the committee packet. In further response, he agreed that the various areas are not contiguous. CO-CHAIR JOHNSON pointed out that the title states the bill is an Act relating to the repeal of the "establishment" of the Goldstream Public Use Area rather than repeal of the "sunset". He asked whether the sponsor is comfortable with that. SENATOR THOMAS responded he did not write the title and agreed it should be looked at because the title should reflect what is being done, which is a repeal of the public use area's sunset. 1:14:35 PM CO-CHAIR NEUMAN said that perhaps a title change is unnecessary if the repeal referenced in Section 1 of SB 195 is the sunset clause. He stated he does not want to make the mistake of doing away with the Goldstream Public Use Area. SENATOR THOMAS agreed and said he will talk to Legislative Legal and Research Services. CO-CHAIR JOHNSON stated for the record that the intention is to repeal the sunset date, not the establishment of the Goldstream Public Use Area. SENATOR THOMAS, in response to Representative Guttenberg and Co- Chair Johnson, said he has Version R of the bill before him and he has previously verified that Section 2, chapter 48, is the sunset clause and that is what would be repealed by SB 195. 1:16:38 PM CO-CHAIR JOHNSON opened public testimony. JENNIFER YUHAS, Public Communications Director, Legislative Liaison, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, spoke in favor of SB 195 as follows: Goldstream Public Use Area is a model that works. It serves our user base, consumptive and non-consumptive, motorized and non-motorized, and this is a model we would like to see used more often. The users involved in the original creation of this area were inclusive. They focused on issues that matter to all of the users and, unlike other shared-use areas, we really do not see contentious arguments over superfluous issues here. What we see is a benefit to all of our users. CO-CHAIR NEUMAN presumed the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's intent is to continue the multiple uses of the Goldstream Public Use Area. He inquired whether she has had heard about any changes in this regard. MS. YUHAS replied she has not. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said she thinks it is nifty that the state passively manages the area because volunteers keep it up. CO-CHAIR JOHNSON noted people are proud of that area and he is happy to see this. 1:19:03 PM SHIRLEY LISS said she has been a Fairbanks resident since 1970 and has used the Goldstream Public Use Area ever since. She put in some of the trails and did a lot of the trail maintenance and is glad to hear that it looks like SB 195 is going to pass. If anything, she would like to see the area expanded. MALCOLM MCEWEN stated he supports SB 195 and is encouraged by the members' testimony in support of the bill. He has used the trails since 1985 for cycling, skijoring, and photography, and he sees other people using the trails for dog mushing, snow machining, and blueberry picking. He would like to see this area stay a public use area. CO-CHAIR JOHNSON closed public testimony after ascertaining no one else wished to testify. 1:20:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG stated he has lived, skied, and mushed dogs in this area for 40 years and the area is a legacy of the multi-users and the ability to get along and work together. He said repeal of the sunset clause is a wonderful thing because the 100-mile-long loop that encircles Fairbanks is a big part of the community and people use it well and use it well together. REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG moved to report SB 195 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SB 195 was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.