Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

House Protects Traditional Access

Legislation Protects Public Access from Arbitrary Closures

For Immediate Release: April 6, 1998 Contact: Rep. Beverly Masek at (907) 465-2679.

Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Monday passed House Bill 168, which ensures that Alaskans continue to have reasonable access to the land and resources they own. It protects the public from arbitrary closures by the Department of Fish and Game and the Boards of Game or Fish.

"It has been demonstrated repeatedly at public hearings that the majority of Alaskans support access, including motorized access, for hunting and fishing, yet, at its November meeting, the Board of Game appointed a special committee to explore this issue further," said Representative Beverly Masek (R-Willow), the sponsor of HB 168. "The public's fears that those accessible lands still remaining will be closed are fed by actions such as that of the Board of Game last November," Masek said.

HB 168 will require legislative approval of closures made without sound evidence pertaining to either public safety or biological concerns. HB 168 is intended to support House Bill 23, which deals with public lands, and Senate Bill 35, which deals with state park lands. Both bills passed the House and Senate by solid majorities.

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Broadcasters note: Comments from Rep. Masek are available on the House Majority Actuality Line at (800) 478-6540.
= Beverly Masek, 45 K