SENATE BILL NO. 65 "An Act establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area." 9:14:46 AM SENATOR MIKE SHOWER, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation: The community of Sutton is home to the incredible "coal hills" which provides Alaskans with a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Due to the lack of defined activities zones, the area has become dangerous for both users and residents. Unfortunately, the Sutton/Jonesville area is commonly referred to as the Wild West. The recreational area has become a serious public safety issue due to a multitude of issues from litter, to drugs, to abandoned burned and shot-up vehicles, to the unsafe discharge of firearms across hiking trails and homes, and the fatal shooting of a photographer. Recognizing that it is difficult for the Mat-Su Borough's 36 officers to adequately patrol the equivalent of West Virginia, a public use area is needed to help improve public safety at this beautiful recreational site. SB 65 would establish the Jonesville Public Use Area to protect, maintain, enhance, and perpetuate the current use of the area for: ? year-round general public recreation, ? protecting and maintaining habitats for fish and wildlife, ? use of off-road vehicles, ? access for miners and owners of private property, and ? other activities as designated by the commissioner of DNR. The Jonesville Public Use Area would increase public safety while preserving the recreational site for use by all Alaskans. 9:17:36 AM JAKE ALMEIDA, STAFF, SENATOR MIKE SHOWER, discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file): Section 1 ? Sec. 41.23.280 establishes the purpose of the public use area ? Sec. 41.23.282 o Provides for management of the surface and subsurface estate to be managed by DNR and the fish and wildlife to be managed by Fish and Game. o Clarifies that the public use area is not part of the state park system ? Sec. 41.23.284 provides for the type of uses that may and may not be prohibited ? Sec. 41.23.286 defines the boundaries of the public use area ? Sec. 41.23.288 describes who has enforcement authority for violations committed ? Sec. 41.23.289 states that the penalty is a violation as defined in AS 11.81.900 and requires the Supreme Court to create a bail schedule for those violations Section 2 ? Uncodified law - directs the Supreme Court to create a bail schedule within 90 days after the management plan is adopted 9:19:58 AM Co-Chair Hoffman wondered whether there were roads in the area, and who were responsible for maintaining those roads. Senator Shower replied there were a few roads, but there were mostly unmaintained trails. He stated that the one road was the Jonesville Road that exited from the Glenn Highway, and was maintained by the state. That road stopped approximately 200 yards past the neighborhood, and became the unmaintained trails. Co-Chair Hoffman asked whether the trails were used by recreational vehicles (RVs). Senator Shower replied in the affirmative. Senator von Imhof looked at page 2, line 6, "the commissioner is responsible for the management." She wondered whether that was the commissioner of Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Senator Shower replied in the affirmative. Senator von Imhof looked at line 8, "after adequate public hearings." She wondered whether those hearings would begin after the bill is passed, and it became a public use area. Senator Shower replied in the affirmative. Senator von Imhof noted that there could be a long public process, and then incorporate a long public process. Senator Shower replied that it would take approximately three to five years. Senator von Imhof wondered whether there would be a request to expand or upgrade the parking lot. Senator Shower responded that, if the DNR commissioner decided to execute the management plan, there would possibly be an attached fiscal note. Senator Micciche noted that the letter from the commissioner stated that the process would take five years without additional funding, or three years with an appropriation of $166,000 for the next two years to support additional staff and contract work. He felt that Alaskans needed to perhaps adjust to a parking fee. Co-Chair MacKinnon announced that there were some people available for questions. 9:25:26 AM AT EASE 9:25:41 AM RECONVENED 9:25:59 AM REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER, CHAIRMAN, JONESVILLE ACTION COMMITTEE, explained that there had been various attempts to manage the area. He remarked that those attempts should have included all the users in the group. He remarked that there were four-wheelers, equestrians, hikers, hunter, skiers, etc. He shared that the committee would connect with the different groups about how to manage the area. He noted that DNR had put $9 million into the area to reacclimate the old coal mines with some infrastructure and access. 9:30:21 AM Vice-Chair Bishop encourage working with the different funds moving forward. Representative Rauscher replied with "thank you." 9:31:17 AM JIM SYKES, ASSEMBLY MEMBER, MATSU BOROUGH ASSEMBLY (via teleconference), stated that he represented the area with the Jonesville Mine in the assembly. He encouraged the committee to support the legislation. He felt that the management would result in a more family friendly area. He felt that the framework needed to be put in place in order to develop the management plan. He recognized various people involved in the process. 9:36:57 AM Senator Micciche wondered whether the area was 20 square miles. Mr. Sykes could not recall the exact amount, but agreed that is sounded somewhat accurate. He noted that most of it was state land. Senator Micciche asked whether the damage that was hoping to be managed was within a distance of the parking area or spread throughout the property. Mr. Sykes replied that most of the damage was near the entrance where the old mining entrance was located. Senator Micciche thanked the community for coming together, as he had problematic locations in his community. Senator von Imhof noted that there was significant support for the public area designation. She hoped that a nonprofit called, "Friends of the Jonesville Recreation Area" may be created. Senator Stevens understood the importance of the plan for the community. He wanted to ensure that it would not end the community and assembly's participation in the plan. Mr. Sykes replied that the borough and land manager were committed to the plan. 9:43:13 AM PATTI BARBER, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. 9:44:11 AM KENNY BARBER, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. 9:45:32 AM LYNNE WOODS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the bill. Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony. Senator Micciche wondered whether Marty Parsons was available. Co-Chair MacKinnon asked Ms. Parsons for comments on the legislation. 9:48:22 AM MARTY PARSONS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MINING, LAND, AND WATER, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (via teleconference), stated that he had worked closely with the community on the bill. He stated that it was a similar situation to the Knik Public Use Area. He felt that it was an admirable program. Senator Micciche wondered whether it was problematic that there was no DNR authority if it's not state park land, and how it had worked in Knik Arm for the department. Mr. Parsons replied that as part of the bill, enforcement authority was provided to DNR similar to the Knik Public Use Area. He stated that a bail schedule was set by the Supreme Court, and a sworn individual could write citations. He stated that without the action of the legislature, DNR would not have the authority. Senator Micciche wondered whether there had been dramatic changes in authority in Knik Arm. Mr. Parsons responded that there was not a rapid change, but it was a steady change over time. 9:51:49 AM HANS BRINKE, DIRECTOR, ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), echoed some previous testimony. He stated that he was a commander in the Mat Su valley previously. He noted a dramatic decrease in the issues in the Knik Public Use Area after change in management. He remarked that individuals moved to recreate in the Jonesville area. He agreed with the issues about gunfire and trash. He wanted to get the troopers there for proactive enforcement, but there were some recruitment issues that caused limitations. 9:53:58 AM BRUCE DALE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, PALMER (via teleconference), introduced himself. Vice-Chair Bishop wondered whether there were sport fish opportunities in the area. Mr. Dale replied that there were two or three stocked lakes in the area that were popular for fishing. Vice-Chair Bishop asked whether the lakes were stocked on an annual basis. Mr. Dale replied in the affirmative. 9:55:03 AM NANCY MEADE, GENERAL COUNSEL, ALASKA COURT SYSTEM, introduced herself. Vice-Chair Bishop wondered whether the bail schedule for the Knik Public Use Area would be similar to the Jonesville schedule. Ms. Meade replied expected that it would be similar. 9:55:59 AM ERIC PHILIPS, MANAGER, LAND AND RESOURCES, MATSU BOROUGH, WASILLA (via teleconference), provided a letter of support the year prior. He felt that it was still an important idea. 9:56:23 AM HUGH LESLIE, MANAGER, PARKS AND RECREATION, MATSU BOROUGH, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He stated that it had the opportunity to be an economic generator for the community through sales of fuel and groceries. Co-Chair Hoffman queried the establishment of the boundaries. Senator Shower replied that the boundaries were established with the help of the Mat Su Borough. The various communities involvement groups worked with the borough land management to find the boundaries; and plotted around the state boundaries. Co-Chair Hoffman wondered whether the borough owned any of the adjoining properties. Senator Showers deferred to Mr. Sykes. Mr. Sykes stated that there was only 40 acres of borough land that was contained within the boundaries, and the remainder was state land. Co-Chair Hoffman wondered whether the borough owned any of the adjoining properties. Mr. Sykes deferred to Mr. Philips. Mr. Philips could not address the question. Co-Chair MacKinnon asked for the information. 10:00:21 AM Representative Rauscher stated that there were a couple of pieces of property, which were mostly easements to Usibelli. He stressed that they were not large portions of land. Senator Shower highlighted that there was much community and borough involvement in the legislation's plan. Senator Micciche was encouraged by the community's action. He stated that he had faced similar issues in the Kenai. Vice-Chair Bishop discussed the zero fiscal notes. Co-Chair MacKinnon announced that amendments were due by 5pm. SB 65 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. 10:05:09 AM AT EASE 10:12:47 AM RECONVENED