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Session: State Capitol, Room 214 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-4931 Fax: (907) 465-4316 Send E-Mail Interim: 716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 350 Anchorage, AK 99501-2133 Phone: (907) 269-0123 Fax: (907) 269-0124 |
Legislature to Approve Rights-of-Way and Easements
For Immediate Release: April 28, 1999
Contact: Representative Joe Green at (907) 465-4931.
Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Wednesday passed House Bill 131, which grants to the Legislature the final authority to approve transportation rights of way and easements in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. HB 131 passed 25-12.
"This bill is simply an extension of what the Legislature intended when it created the refuge - protection of a critical habitat in a growing urban area," said Representative Joe Green (R-Anchorage), sponsor of the bill.
The Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge includes 32-thousand acres of mostly marshland, offshore from Point Woronzof to Potter Marsh. The area was first protected by the Legislature in 1971. Various types of shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and wild mammals call the refuge home. Increased development in South Anchorage has brought new calls to protect the refuge.
"This is the way government is supposed to work" said Green, "HB 131 was introduced at the request of people in South Anchorage who got together and asked us to protect this critical habitat."
HB 131 will be reconsidered on the House floor before it is sent to the Senate.
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