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

Suzanne Bostrom
Legislative & Communications Manager
sue@akvoice.org

David Rogers
ACV Lobbyist

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ACV- Juneau
419 6 th 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

• Spotlight on Toxics
• Action Briefs
  • On the Move
  • New in Town
• Hearings this Week

Two bills were introduced in the Senate last week that shed light on a little understood issue – Toxics.   SB 288 and SJR 18 both deal with the chemicals our children are exposed to.  SB 288, Pesticides/Broadcast Chemicals in Schools, addresses the use of EPA’s most toxic pesticides in schools.  SJR 18, Child Product Safety, would send a message to the President and Consumer Product Safety Commission asking them to study the chemicals present in our children’s toys.  SB 288 implements an ACV priority (advanced by Alaska Community Action of Toxics) for 2008 and we are pleased that Senator Wielechowski introduced it. While this is a multi year project with low prospects for passage this year, ACV however will be working to get a hearing or two. SJR 18 also is an important measure that addresses an avoidable and significant threat to our kids.

Children and Toxics
Children are more susceptible to toxics in pesticides and toys because they are smaller than adults, decreasing the dose needed to see effects, and because their organs are still forming and vulnerable to chemicals. Exposure to toxics can cause serious health issues.

Toxics can be especially dangerous to children because their exposure route is very different.  How often are parents telling their kids to ‘get their hands out of their mouths’ or to ‘don’t eat that’?  Pesticides sprayed in a building where kids spend a majority of their time with less than optimal hygiene is a recipe for harmful exposure.  And a plastic toy used to pacify a teething child might be sucked on for hours a day.  We do not have the information available today to determine if  the chemicals contained in pacifiers are safe to a child if sucked on for hours a day. 

Health Effects from Pesticide Exposure

While it may be difficult to prove precisely what health effects are caused by exposure to pesticides as our environment is full of chemicals, there are some general health effects that have been shown to have strong links between exposure and illness. For example:

• Pesticides are a risk factor for several types of cancer in children -  non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and Wilm’s tumor.
• Strong evidence links Parkinson’s disease to pesticide exposure. Most studies are of people exposed through their work, especially to herbicides. There is also some evidence of increased risk of Parkinson’s from exposure to pesticides in the home, living in a rural area, and using well water.
• Children born to women who live in a high pesticide use area while pregnant have an increased risk of various birth defects, including cleft lip/palate, limb reduction defects and neural tube defects.

Toxics in Toys
There are many different types of chemicals in toys, some more dangerous than others.  Some of the chemicals that children can be exposed to through their toys include, but are not limited to, lead, phthalates, and bisphenol A.

• Lead in toys is often found in vinyl plastics, paint and toy jewelry.  There have been numerous recalls due to lead contamination and health officials generally agree that there is no safe level of lead in children’s toys.  Health effects of exposure to lead are well documented and can affect almost every organ system of the body.
• Phthalates are used to soften polyvinyl chloride products such as toys, raincoats, shower curtains and medical tubing and can also be found in upholstery, detergents, oils and cosmetics.  Health effects of exposure to phthalates in lab animals shows phthalates interfere with hormonal systems, disrupt testosterone production and cause malformed sex organs.
  
• Bisphenol A is used in plastic baby bottles, water bottles, and as liners inside food and drinks cans..  Health effects of exposure to bisphenol A in lab animals include altered function of the thyroid gland, brain, pancreas and prostate gland.  Of 175 published bisphenol A studies, 148 studies, all financed by government bodies, reported significant health effects and 27 studies that found no evidence of harm (13 of the no harm studies were financed by chemical corporations).

Alternatives Exist:

Pesticides: Children do not need to be exposed to as many chemicals are they are currently being exposed to.  Most pesticide use in schools can be reduced by simple measures.  Regularly cleaning out desks to reduce food for pests, filling hole in walls and screens will reduce entry points for pests and monitoring can catch outbreaks before they get out of control.  When all of these non-toxic treatments have been tried and failed, there are less toxic pesticides available, as opposed to EPA’s Class I & II chemicals. 

Toxic Toys: For toxic exposure through toys, a lack of science and education are large parts of the problem.  We do not have a government agency systematically testing the chemicals that go into our children’s toys.  Manufacturers are not required to disclose what chemicals are put into toys.  As consumers, we do not have any way to know whether or not a toy is safe for children.  A warning label and easily accessible information would help consumers make better informed decisions on which toys to bring into our homes. It might also encourage industry to find and use non-toxic alternatives.

Conclusion:
We do not have enough information to conclude that Alaska’s children are being exposed at a rate or level that poses immediate and serious risks. However, there is plenty of evidence to show that children are particularly sensitive to the harmful aspects of pesticides and toxics. And the responsible step is to act based on what we know today about the potential health risks, particularly when there are other alternatives.  Common sense and prudence dictate that it is time to raise the policy bar in Alaska and minimize our children’s exposure to pesticides and toxics. SB 288 and SJR 18 are the first steps in taking practical, proactive measures to address this legitimate health concern. 

For more information check out:
Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) Website
EPA Pesticide Information
Consumer Product Safety Commission

On the Move

The brisk pace continues. The operating budget is almost done in the House and there is are lots of  hearings in both bodies as legislators jockey for position in this shorter, “last chance” second session. Here is the latest Hall action:

HB 25 Recreational Land Use Liability - Rep. Seaton (R-Homer), Rep. Wilson (R-Wrangell) | Rep. Hawker (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Ramras (R-Fairbanks) | Rep. Kelly (R-Fairbanks) | Rep. Guttenberg (D-Anchorage) | Rep. Harris (R-Valdez)
HB25 provides landowners with immunity for allowing their land to be accessed for recreational purposes.  The bill had its first hearing so far this year in Senate Judiciary where it was heard and held.  No additional hearings have been scheduled. ACV supports this legislation.

HB134 Protection of Salmon Spawning Water - Rep. Edgmon (D-Dillingham) | Rep. Ramras (R-Fairbanks) | Rep. Dahlstrom (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Gara (D-Anchorage) | Rep. Kerttula (D-Juneau)
HB134 would create statutory protections for salmon streams in Bristol Bay and is Rep. Edgmon's response to concerns about the Pebble Mine's potential impact on Bristol Bay. A CS of HB 134 is still being discussed to address a variety of issues previously brought up during hearings. Most notably, the bill is now limited to sulphide mining in anadromous waters of the reserve with legislative approval required for permits and leases, similar to existing requirement for oil and gas leases. Questions were raised about the scope, intent and practical effects, including effects on gold mining operations. The most recent hearing was Friday.in the House Fisheries Committee. A vote on whether or not to move the bill is expected soon – perhaps as early as Monday.

HB256/SB176 Active Game Management / Aerial Shooting  - Rules Committee by request of the Governor
Introduced by Governor Palin, HB256/SB176 has generated a lot of interest and comments during its many hearings in both the House and Senate.  Arguments for those against and in favor of the bill have remained fairly consistent. State Fish and Game officials say the bill is basically a housekeeping measure to merge and simplify two confusing and sometimes conflicting wildlife management laws. Opponents of the bill still maintain the changes would give the Board of Game too much discretion, take away scientific standards, limit public participation and encourage ideologically motivated decision making by the Board of Game   Much of the discussion has revolved around whether the changes would remove science and objectivity from Board of Game decision-making.  In the House, a CS of the bill was moved from House Judiciary Committee and referred to Rules.  In the Senate, CSSB176 (RES) passed from the Resources Committee and is now in Senate Judiciary. It is not on next week’s schedule. ACV is opposed to these bills as currently drafted.

HB257/SB180 Transfer Aquatic Farming to DNR - Rep. Harris (R-Valdez) | Sen. McGuire (R-Anchorage)
HB257/SB180 would transfer duties related to aquatic farming and hatchery operations from the Department of Fish and Game to the Department of Natural Resources and would eliminate certain permit requirements applicable to aquatic farming and hatchery operations. The current CS that passed out of House fisheries now focuses on marketing and allows aquatic farmers to use the Alaska Grown logo.  It moved with a vote of do pass from Rep. Seaton and no recommendation from Reps. LeDoux, Johansen, Edgemon, The bill will be heard this week, Wednesday, February 27^th at 1pm in Barnes Room 124.

HB 267 Wildlife Violator Compact - Rep. Johnson (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Dahlstrom (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Wilson (R-Wrangell)| Rep. Buch (D-Anchorage) | Rep. Chenault (R-Nikiski) | Rep. Ramras (R-Fairbanks) | Rep. Fairclough (R-Eagle River)
This bill authorizes Alaska to join with 26 other states who 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. The current draft of the bill includes an exemption for commercial fishing and big game commercial hunting services. It also defines “wildlife” and makes it clear that the compact does not supersede state law. HB267 has been seen enormous support in the House and the CS was passed from its final House committee. It moved out of  Finance, with votes of Do Pass from Reps. Kelly, Crawford, Stoltze, Hawker, Nelson, Thomas, Meyer and Chenault.  Rep.Gara voted no recommendation.  The bill has been referred to Rules. 

HB 268 Damaging a Vehicle on Public Land by Starting a Fire or Causing an Explosion – Rep. Stoltze (R-Chugiak) | Rep. Lynn (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Ramras (R-Fairbanks) | Rep. Gatto (R-Palmer) | Rep. Crawford (D-Anchorage)
The bill would make 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. HB268 passed the House last week with a vote of 35-0 and was transmitted to the Senate of Friday. ACV supports this bill. * Passed the House! *

HB 330 Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants - House Resources Committee
HB330 was introduced to create a “Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Board” in order to limit economic loss and adverse effects to the state's agricultural, natural, and human resources.  The bill has since been changed, replacing the Board with a state coordinator for noxious weed, invasive plant, and agricultural pest management and education. ACA supports this bill and has been working to include language limiting pesticide use and allowances for natural northern migration of species due to climate change.  The House Resources committee took ACV’s suggestions into consideration in the drafting of the CS, which was passed unanimously.  The bill will be heard next in House Finance.

SSHB 348 Board of Game Regulations - Rep Keller (R-Wasilla)
Rep. Keller introduced Sponsor Substitute for HB 348.  The bill states that the Board of Game is working with an allocation of an asset when they manage wildlife populations for abundance.  On its second hearing in House Resources, CSHB348 passed out of committee

HJR 31 Oppose Fed. Law Re: Aerial Hunting – Rep. Keller (R-Wasilla) | Rep. Wilson (R-Wrangell) | Rep. Johnson (R-Anchorage)

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. A committee substitute was moved out of committee on Wednesday and is awaiting transmittal to the Rules Committee.

SB57 Marine Parks Additions/Hunting Allowed - Sen. Elton (D-Juneau) || Rep. Kertulla (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. It passed the Senate last week and was transferred to the House with a Finance referral.  No hearing has been scheduled.

SB 216 Purple Heart Trail - Sen. Ellis (D-Anchorage)

Designating the Alaska Highway and portion of the Richardson Highway as the Purple Heart Trail.  SB 216 was originally only given a Transportation Committee referral but picked up a fiscal note. So, after passing from that committee, the measure was given an additional referral to the Finance Committee.. A first Finance hearing is scheduled for 9am in Senate Finance Room 532 on Wednesday, February 27th.

SB 224 G.O. Bonds for Transportation Projects – Rules by Request of the Governor

This bill provides for the issuance of general obligation bonds to pay the cost of state transportation projects.  Among other allocations, SB224 appropriates $8,900,000 from the 2008 transportation project fund for DNR to design and construct a South Denali Access Road. A hearing in Senate Finance will be Monday at 9am.

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. The bill had its first hearing last weekend and was moved out of committee. It will be heard this Friday, February 29^th at 9am in Senate Finance.

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

SB230 would create an Alaska Film Office and give a tax credit to TV and film producers to encourage them to shoot in Alaska.  Senator Ellis is bringing 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.  After passing from the Labor & Commerce Committee, the bill had a hearing on Friday in Senate Finance where it was heard and held.  No additional hearing has been scheduled.  ACV supports this bill.

ADN Coverage

NPR Coverage

SB246 Susitna Hydro Working Group; Report – Sen. Thomas (D-Fairbanks) | Sen. Therriault (R-North Pole) |  Sen. Wilken (R-Fairbanks)

SB246 is more detailed than House Bills 335 and 336 but is essentially asking for the same thing, a report and recommendation on the potential of building a hydroelectric facility on the Susitna River to supply cheap, greenhouse gas free electricity to homes and businesses on the Railbelt. Discussions continue regarding the scope of this study and any related comparative analysis of alternatives.  The Senate bill goes in depth on the formation and composition of a committee to study the project and provides more guidelines for the information they should supply. However, a proposed CS makes some changes to bring it more in line with the House version.  It was heard and held last week and is up for a hearing again on Wednesday, February 27th at 3:30pm in room 205.

SB 253 Board of Game – Sen. Huggins (R-Wasilla)

SB253 changes the rules surrounding the timing of appointment relative to existing terms and replacement of Board of Game members.  If passed, the changes go into effect immediately.  The bill moved last week. No additional hearing has been scheduled.

HB 370 Protection of Forested Land – Rep. Kelly (R-Fairbanks)

HB 370 modifies the wording in AS 19.40.010 to change the term ‘forest fire’ to ‘wildland fire’, It’s first hearing will be Wednesday, February 27^th at 1pm in House Resources Committee.

HB 371/SB 277 Policies Concerning Natural Resources – Sen. Olson (D-Nome) || Rep. Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) | Rep. Johnson (R-Anchorage)

HB371, introduced last week, is the companion to SB 277.  Both bills require the commissioner of natural resources to craft and publicize a position statement on federal regulations, regulations of another state agency, federal administrative orders, administrative orders of another agency of the state, ballot initiatives, municipal ordinances, or other state, federal, or municipal actions that may impede the development of the natural resources of the state.  HB371 was referred to House State Affairs and Resources Committees.

HB 378 Platting Requirements/Recreation Purposes – Rep. Crawford (D-Anchorage)

HB378 prohibits municipalities from requiring a dedication of property for recreational purposes in platting requirements or as a condition of plat approval. Referred to Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees.

HB 382 Sales of Gold Jewelry – Rep. Chenault (R-Nikiski) | Rep. Nelson (D-Bethel)

HB 382 would ban the sale of gold jewelry in Alaska if the gold was not mined in Alaska. The bill was referred to House Labor & Commerce Committee and House Resources Committee and will have its first hearing Wednesday, February 27^th at 3pm House Labor & Commerce.

HB 387  Distribution of Telephone Books – Rep. Gardner (D-Anchorage)

HB387 would limit telephone and other utility companies from distributing more than one phonebook to each household.  Any households wanting additional phonebooks would be able to contact their utility and request additional copies.  This bill is supported by ACV since it would limit paper consumption and the number of phonebooks that end up in local landfills.  

HB 394  Tikchik State Park Additions – Rep. Edgemon (D-Dillingham)

This bill would include additional land and water in the Wood-Tikchik State Park.  It was referred to House Resources and Finance Committees.

HB 404 Alternative Energy Task Force - Rep. Fairclough (R-Eagle River) | Rep. Edgmon (D-Dillingham) | Rep. Thomas (R-Haines) | Rep. Wilson (R-Wrangell) | Rep. Johnson (R-Anchorage) | Rep. Olson (D-Soldotna) | Rep. Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) | Rep. Doll (D-Juneau) | Rep. Nelson (D-Bethel)

HB404 already seems to have strong support in the House, less than a week after being introduced.  HB404 would crease a Renewable Energy Task Force to develop a report and recommendations on what types of energy development are best suited to different regions of the state, and programs that can provide information on renewable energy. The Task Force would include four members from the House, one member from DNR, one member from the Alaska Energy Authority, one member from the Denali Commission, one member from the University of Alaska, one member from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, one member from the Alaska Power Association, and one member from the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative. It was referred to the House Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees.

HB 410 Oil & Gas Lease Terms - Rep. Gruenberg (D-Anchorage)

This bill would require state oil and gas leases to be construed in favor of the state and against the person challenging the state's interpretation of the lease." Referred to Judiciary and Resources.

SB 288 Pesticides/Broadcast Chemicals in Schools – Sen. Wielechowski (D-Anchorage)

As noted above SB288 is one of ACV’s  top priorities for this legislative session and addresses the use of pesticides in schools.  This bill would limit schools from using the two most toxic classes of pesticides, EPA’s Class I & II toxic pesticides, unless it was a health or safety emergency.  The issue of toxic chemicals in schools has long been ignored, except by the Anchorage School District. The bill received three committee referrals, Health & Human Services, Resources, and Finance.

SB 289 Home Energy Conservation – Sen. Hoffman (D-Bethel)

This bill adds energy efficiency as a criterion for Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation funds.  It was referred to Senate Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees.

SJR 17 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.

SJR18 Child Product Safety – Sen. Wielechowski (D-Anchorage)

SJR18 is a resolution requesting the President of the United States to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to test the materials that are used in toys and other products for children and to make those results pubic.  Sen. Wielechowski’s resolution points out that the chemicals that make up the toys and products used by children in Alaska and across the US are not tested for short or long-term health effects.  This resolution has been referred to the Health Education and Social Services Committee and Labor & Commerce Committee.

EO 114 Habitat Move

The Executive Order, issued by Governor Palin two weeks ago, to move the Habitat Division bask to Fish & Game was sent to the Legislature. The Executive Order will be discussed in House Resources on Monday. This has been a priority for ACA. Read more about the move in our previous Conservation Watch coverage.

Hearings this Week

Click on the date in the table below to get the most current schedule information for that day, or check the BASIS hearing schedule. Once a bill has been heard in a particular committee it may be brought up again without public notice or listing on the weekly committee schedule. You can click on "committee" to see a list of committees and their members