News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog State Capitol
Senate Majority Press Secretary Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582 http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540
For Immediate Release: January 23, 1997 Contact: Senator Lyda Green 907/465-6600

Bill Protecting Traditional Rights of Access on State Lands Returns

Juneau -- Legislation that will protect Alaskans' fundamental rights of access to state land for traditional recreational use was introduced this session by Senator Lyda Green (R-Mat/Su) and passed out of the Senate State Affairs Committee Thursday.

Senate Bill 35 mirrors the effort made last session to place the final decision to restrict or prohibit access to State Parks for activities including aviation, boating, mushing, skiing, snowshoeing and all terrain vehicle use in the hands of elected officials, not state bureaucrats.

Last year’s version passed by votes of 33-7 in the House and 17-3 in the Senate but was vetoed by Governor Knowles.

"We feel it is good public policy to place more responsibility on legislators and rely more on public input through the legislative process rather than defer closure decisions to the State when it comes to shutting down traditional access for recreation on many state lands," said Senator Green.

"More and more user groups and individual Alaskans are fearful about bureaucratic closures restricting recreational access," Green said. "This bill will require the Department of Natural Resources to justify restrictions on public access before any restrictions become permanent."

The Constitution of the State of Alaska recognizes the importance of land closures and mandates that all closures over 640 acres must be legislatively designated. There is every reason to consider some increased justification by the State and oversight by the legislature over the current processes for restrictions in those areas less than 640 acres.

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