Alaskans depend heavily on the state’s fish, game and other natural resources. Natural resources are the foundation of Alaska’s way of life, providing economic, cultural, and recreational benefits to many Alaskans. The Republican-led Majority continued its commitment to manage the state’s resources for the maximum benefit to all Alaskans.

Developing our Resoureces

• HB 204 transfers the oversight responsibilities for domestic elk breeding and farming from ADF&G to the Division of Agricultureand removes some of the obstacles to elk farming in Alaska.
• HB 290 addresses regulatory aspects of the development of natural gas reserves on Alaska’s North Slope.
• SB 273 would expand the oil spill prevention and response program to include larger non-tank vessels and the railroads transporting oil in bulk. This legislation would require that these vessels and the railroad provide a response plan for cleaning up spills as quickly as possible with minimal damage to the environment, and requires proof of the financial ability to respond to damages resulting from a spill.
• HJR 11 and SJR 39 encourage the United States Congress to pass S. 2214, a bill opening the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to responsible exploration, development, and production of its oil and gas resources.

Preserving our Resources

• SB 12 amends the Forest Practices Act to provide increased protection for Alaska’s coastal rivers and streams. SB 12 had across-the-board support from the timber industry, environmentalist groups, the legislature and administration.
• HJR 13 supports the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council’s efforts to establish a $115 million endowment for research and monitoring.
• HJR 28 urges Congress and the National Marine Fisheries Service to act immediately to reverse the decline of the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale population.
• SB 35 extends the life of the Board of Marine Pilots. The mission of the board includes protecting the marine environment of the state.
• SB 74 ensures that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has the necessary tools to deal with a game management emergency requiring immediate action.
• SB 266 would outlaw the use of tributyltin (TBT) antifouling paint on vessels that were previously exempted under the 1987 law.
• SB 267 would add to the functions of the Commissioner of Fish and Game the management of the state’s big game resources to achieve an abundance of game for human utilization.
• SCR 2 calls on the administration to do everything possible to implement fish and game management based on abundance.

Safeguarding Access to Alaska

• HJR 54 urges that Alaska National Forests be excluded from President Clinton’s proposal for withdrawal of roadless areas in the national forest system.
• HJR 56 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove wildlife management issues from the ballot initiative process in Alaska.
• HJR 60 opposes pending critical habitat designations by the federal government and asks the governor to pursue legal action if they are enacted.
• SB 45 encourages property owners to provide land for public recreational trails by limiting their exposure to lawsuits.
• SJR 5 calls on the National Park Service to reopen portions of Denali National Park for use by snowmobilers.