Alaska Conservation Voters

Conservation Watch

Alaska Conservation Voters
works to protect Alaska's environment through public education and advocacy, and supports pro-conservation candidates for public office.

Conservation Watch (CW) is a weekly publication of ACV highlighting conservation issues in the AK Legislature.

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Contributing Editors

Sue Ely
Legislative & Communications Manager
sue@akvoice.org

David Rogers
ACV Lobbyist

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ACV- Juneau
419 6th Street, #321
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 463-3366
(907) 463-2554 fax

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ACV- Anchorage
810 N Street #203
Anchorage, AK 99801
(907) 258-6171
(907) 258-6177 fax

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Web Resources

ACV Legislation Page
Bill position papers, back issues of Conservation Watch, and legislative updates

Legislative BASIS
Current bill text, history & committee schedules

Legislature Homepage
Find Your Legislators, party links, committee lists

State Homepage
Links to state agencies and the Governor

 ACV Homepage

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In This Issue -

• Letter to Conservation Watch Reader
  • Wrap Up
  • Passed
  • Budget

Dear Conservation Watch Reader,

The second year of the 25^th Legislative Session ended around noon on Sunday, April 13^th – not the dramatic and frantic end that many expected in the first voter-mandated 90 day session – but exciting nonetheless.  Overall, the conservation community did very well this session. Our highest priority, funding for renewable energy projects, made it through the legislative process with a day to spare.  Most importantly, the legislature committed $50 million this year for renewable energy grants and made a promise to put in $50 million more for the following 4 years; totaling at least $250.

Other big wins included $300 million for the Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation to expand their home weatherization and efficiency programs and money in the capital budget for the Fire Island Wind Farm and a much needed rail belt energy options study.  This serious commitment of energy funds put Alaska on a path towards a more secure, clean energy future.   

While the regular session is over, your job is not yet done. For example, we need to let the Governor know that we hope she won’t veto any of our favorite bills or projects. And now is a good time for citizens to visit their legislators.  Call your Senator and Representative today to make an appointment to visit while they are home and have a break from the busy capitol.  Let them know what’s on your mind – and don’t forget to thank them for any pro-conservation bills they worked on. Thanks for your readership.  See you next year!

From Juneau,

ACV Legislative Team

The Wrap Up

While will not list the fate of all of the bills tracked throughout the session, two issues merit a special mention, despite the fact that they were not passed during this session. 

1. Despite constant pressure, including large volumes of letters, emails and phone calls, HB74, the bill to ban mixing zones in salmon spawning streams, failed to get a hearing in House Resources Committee and did not pass. 
2. Good News: The Governor’s game bill (SB 176 and HB 256), that would have made significant and controversial changes to other game management laws, died in committee. 

It is likely that both of these issues will be taken up again in the coming session.

Passed

Below you will find a list of all conservation-related bills that passed during the second year of the 25^th Legislative Session.  They are listed in order of introduction, separated out by House and Senate bills. 

SB57 Marine Parks Additions/Hunting Allowed - Sen. Elton (D-Juneau) || Rep. Kerttula (D-Juneau)

This bill addresses issues related to hunting in marine parks of the Alaska state park system and makes additions and changes to the current marine park units.

SB214 Hunting by Members of the Military - Sen. Huggins (R-Wasilla)

SB 214 gives non-resident members of the military service and their dependents special exemptions for big game hunting.

SB216 Purple Heart Trail - Sen. Ellis (D-Anchorage)

SB215 designates portions of the Alaska Highway and the Richardson Highway as the Purple Heart Trail.

SB229 Tanana Valley Forest/Minto Flats Refuge - Sen. Thomas (D-Fairbanks)

 SB299 transfers certain portions of Tanana Valley State Forest land to the Minto Flats State Game Refuge. ACV supported this bill.

SB230 Film Office/Film Production Tax Credit - Sen. Ellis (D-Anchorage)

SB230 creates an Alaska Film Office and gives a tax credit to TV and film producers to encourage them film to shoot in Alaska.  Senator Ellis used this bill to bring attention to the fact that Alaska is the setting of many movies that are not actually filmed here.  The intention of the bill is to get those producers filming in Alaska so that Alaskans can benefit economically.  ACV supported this bill.

SB253 Board of Game - Sen. Huggins (R-Wasilla) || Rep. Keller (R-Wasilla)

SB253 changes the rules surrounding the timing of appointments relative to existing terms and replacement of Board of Game members.

SB289 Home Energy Conservation - Sen. Hoffman (D-Bethel)

This bill raises the income level eligibility for weatherization and increases funds available for increasing energy efficiency in Alaskan homes. ACV strongly supported this bill and was excited to see $300 million put into the budget for this program. SB 289 and HB 152 will create a powerful force for sweeping change in Alaska.

SB306 Board of Game Regulations - Sponsored by Senate Resources

SB306 adds new language to the Board of Game regulations authorizing the board to regulate regarding the conservation, development, or utilization of game in a manner that addresses whether, how, when, and where the public asset of game is allocated or appropriated.  It passed quickly in a last minute move over the weekend. While it may articulate the Legislature’s views on the subject it does not bind the Alaska Supreme Court, which ultimately will decide whether game issues are subject to the citizen Initiative process.

SJR17 Offshore Oil & Gas Revenue - Sen. Wielechowski (D-Anchorage)

This resolution urges the United States Congress to provide a means for consistently sharing, on an ongoing basis, revenue generated from oil and gas development on the outer continental shelf with all coastal energy producing states to ensure that those states develop, support, and maintain necessary infrastructure and preserve environmental integrity.

HB25 Public Recreational Easements/Immunity - Rep. Seaton (R-Homer)

HB25 provides landowners with immunity for allowing their land to be accessed for recreational purposes. ACV supported this legislation at the onset and was happy to see it pass after a long wait.

HB149 Pollutant Discharge Permits - Introduced by request of the Governor

This bill was introduced by request of Governor Palin to revise certain provisions of law governing the department's permitting and enforcement authority in order to align the state's permit requirements with EPA's permitting oversight. EPA is currently reviewing Alaska's application to run the federal NPDES permitting program. The changes made by the bill are necessary to align state laws with the more stringent federal law. 

HB152 Establishing A Renewable Energy Fund/Account - Rep. Harris (R-Valdez) | Rep. Thomas (R-Haines)

HB152 sets up the infrastructure for the Alaska Energy Authority to provide financing for the development of renewable energy projects throughout Alaska; although extra weight in the ranking process will be given to communities with the highest power costs.  $50 million was included in the budget this year for renewable energy projects but intent language in the bill contemplates four additional $50 million annual installments.  Several ideas from other bills were rolled into HB152 in the final days of the session including the Legislative Task Force to oversee the development of renewable energy and much needed energy assistance payments for low income Alaskans.  ACV strongly supported this bill and would like to thank all of the Conservation Watch readers who wrote/emailed/testified in support. This landmark legislation would not have been possible without countless Alaskans making weighing in on the legislative process.

HB176 Create Fort Rousseau Causeway Park - Rep. Wilson (R-Wrangell)

This measure creates the Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historical Park to “promote, support, and preserve public use by maintaining and protecting the area’s fish and wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and scenic values.”

HB267 Wildlife Violator Compact - Rep. Johnson (R-Anchorage)

This bill authorizes Alaska to join with 26 other states that have entered into the Wildlife Violator Compact (WVC) that allows the revocation of appropriate licenses in Alaska for failure to comply with the terms of a wildlife resource citation issued in another state that is a party to the compact. ACV supported this bill.

HB268 Motor Vehicle Arson on Public Land - Rep. Stoltze (R-Chugiak)

The bill makes intentionally burning or exploding cars on state or municipal land a Class C felony - arson in the third degree.  It addresses a longstanding concern of many users of public lands in Alaska. ACV supported this bill.

HB294 Marine Transporation: Board & Division - Rep. Wilson (R-Wrangell) | Rep. Ledoux (R-Kodiak) | Rep. Seaton (R-Homer)

HB294 establishes the division of marine transportation, the Alaska Marine Transportation Authority and the position of director of the division of marine transportation. ACV supported this bill.

HB315 Extend Big Game Commercial Services Board - Rules by Request of Leg Budget & Audit

Introduced by the Governor, HB315 delays the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board from 2008 to June 30, 2012.

HB330 Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants - House Resources Committee

HB330 creates the position of state coordinator for noxious weed, invasive plant, and agricultural pest management and education. ACV supported this important bill and worked to raise general awareness of our concerns including limiting pesticide use and allowances for natural northern migration of species due to climate change.  We expect the Legislature to make a similar effort to address marine invasive species next session.

HB338 Power Project Fund/Bulk Fuel Loan Fund - Rep. Nelson (D-Bethel)

HB338 allows the Alaska Energy Authority to borrow money from the power project fund for the bulk fuel revolving fund.

HB 370 Damage to Forests/Wildland Fires - Rep. Kelly (R-Fairbanks)

HB 370 modifies the wording in AS 19.40.010 to change the term ‘forest fire’ to ‘wildland fire’. The central purpose of the bill is to allow firefighters the discretion to protect dwellings during a forest fire. ACV supported this bill

HJR14 Exxon Plaintiffs ; H.R. 2419, SEC. 12801 - House Fisheries Committee

HJR 14 urges the United States Congress to enact H.R. 2419, sec. 12801, so that individuals receiving a damage award from the Exxon Valdez oil spill can benefit from the income averaging and retirement contribution provisions of the bill.

HJR 31 Oppose Fed. Law Re: Aerial Hunting - Rep. Keller (R-Wasilla) HJR 31 was introduced as a vehicle to send a message from the Alaska Legislature to the US Congress to oppose the enactment of the Protect America's Wildlife Act of 2007. This act would prohibit aerial hunting of wildlife, which the sponsors of HJR31 see as essential for predator control in Alaska.

The Budget

Energy was a big winner this year as law-makers decided how to spend and save the surplus from oil taxes.  With a record amount going to savings, some of the pro-conservation spending is listed below.

• Alaska Energy Authority
• Renewable Energy Projects (AS 42.45.045)  $50,000,000
• Susitna Hydro Study and Railbelt Energy Plan $2,500,000
• Fire Island Wind Farm Transmission $25,000,000 (out of Railbelt Fund)
• Chaninik Wind Group - Regional Wind Energy Systems Purchase and Installation 4,800,000
• Home Energy Conservation (Weatherization & Efficiency) $300,000,000
• Unalaska - Geothermal Exploration $1,500,000
• Interior Regional Housing Authority - Yukon Koyukuk School District Energy Savings Project $212,888
• Alaska Energy Inventory Project Completion of Phase 1 350,000

• Kivalina Erosion Protection $3,300,000
• Kawerak Inc. - Shishmaref Beach Erosion $50,000 
• Unalakleet Erosion Protection $5,000,000
• Kotzebue: Shore Avenue Rehabilitation and Erosion Protection $6,390,000
• Coastal community erosion impact planning $1,100,000 in the supplemental budget

• Valley Community for Recycling Solutions - Community Recycling Center $2,000,000

Transportation

• Statewide emergency bridge repair: $20,000,000

  Read more about the budget in the ADN…or read the actual budget yourself by clicking here.