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Session: State Capitol, Room 411 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2689 Fax: (907) 465-3472 Send E-Mail Interim: 345 W Sterling Highway, Suite 102 Home, AK 99603 Phone: (907) 235-2921 Fax: (907) 235-4008 |
Co-Sponsored by Representative Gail Phillips
Representative Phillips introduced this bill last Session (HB 373); however, while the bill passed both houses, it was not passed back to the House in time for concurrence.
Thanks to a major cooperative effort between timber and fishing industries, environmental groups and state agencies, we have proposed legislation designed to improve present Forest Practices Act safeguards. This cooperation represents a commitment from these groups to periodically reevaluate the Forest Practices Act's protections for Alaska's streams.
In February 1996, the Board of Forestry heard reports from state agencies regarding the Act's effectiveness. The Board found that, indeed, the Act generally was working well in protecting salmon habitat and water quality, but concluded that there were some areas needing further review.
The Board then established a Science and Technical Committee to recommend modifications, if necessary. This group included scientists from timber, commercial fishing and environmental communities as well as federal and state research agencies. After intensive review, the committee identified opportunities to strengthen habitat and wildlife protection. A stakeholder committee then convened to incorporate the findings into recommendations for the Board of Forestry, which in turn, endorsed a series of amendments to the Act, These amendments have broad consensus support from all the participants. The cooperation shown by Board members and the implementation group is indeed laudable; and as a result, we are now looking forward to better protections for our valuable salmon resources without unreasonable cost to industry or private owners.
The State of Alaska has one of the most effective Forest Practices Acts in the nation. I believe the collaborative process undertaken by the stakeholders in defining and agreeing to necessary protections is extremely valuable. It is the first step forward in our continued path toward managing our marketable resources while protecting our natural resources for future generations.