Alaska State Legislature
News from the Office of Representative Bill Williams

State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Ph: (907) 465-3424
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/Williams.htm

State Forester Qualification Bill Passes House 36 to 0

For Immediate Release: February 12, 1998. Contact: Kyle Johansen, Aide to Representative Bill Williams, at 907-465-3424.

Juneau - The House of Representatives passed House Bill 182, "An Act relating to the qualifications of the state forester" by a 36-0 margin today. The legislation requires the state forester to have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a forestry-related program. It also requires three years of field experience in forestry.

"This legislation will ensure the division will be headed by a qualified professional forester. We have one of the strongest Forest Practices Acts in the nation and this bill will help strengthen the division charged with its enforcement. With our Federal timber supply dwindling it is important that the state has a strong, professional forestry program from top to bottom. The better our overall forestry program is the fewer problems we will have in getting timber to our mills and that is our ultimate goal."

The legislation also requires the Commissioner of Natural Resources to consider recommendations from the Fire Chief’s Association when selecting a state forester.

"The division of forestry spends over half of its time dealing with fire suppression within the state. The Fire Chiefs have the experience dealing with fire suppression and this gives them an opportunity to comment on candidates when the state forester position is being filled."

The bill next heads to the Senate where the resources committee is expected to review the legislation.

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