Sponsor Statement for SB 35

Senate Bill 35 is being reintroduced (identical SB 230, 19th Legislature , Senate passed 16-4, House passed 33-7, vetoed by Governor Knowles) to protect Alaskan’s right to access state land and water for recreational uses. In a time when the Federal Government continues to restrict and prohibit Alaskan’s access to many areas of the State, we, the state government, need to ensure that decisions to restrict access on land we control are made in a responsible, fair, and well represented process.

Alaskans are presently losing their right to traditional recreational use on some state land and park land without appropriate notification and justification. Citizens believe that the public comment process is not being fairly administered and all user groups are not being represented. In some instances, the management and authority to restrict and prohibit uses on state land are being transferred from the Division of Lands to the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Non-restricted areas of our state are being closed without proper oversight by the Legislature.

Decisions to deny access for recreational use, because of its importance, have always been made by our legislature, not by bureaucrats. 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. We must continue to recognize the importance of land closures and make necessary changes in the current process for restrictions and prohibitions in areas less than 640 acres.

A change in this process as suggested in SB-35 ensures that all Alaskans will have proper representation by their elected officials. Any restrictions and/ or prohibitions on traditional recreational activity would need to be justified to the Legislature. Many areas of Alaska may need to be restricted to some or all recreational activity, but these important decisions need to be made at the legislative level, where the people have better access.

SB-35 is the Citizen’s Access Bill

- Access to Lands

- Access to Waters

- Access to Government Policy