With the high level of attention received by House Bill 77, Sen. Peter Micciche has requested public meetings with leadership of the Department of Natural Resources and Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Two have been scheduled:
• Dec. 9 in Soldotna with DNR Deputy Commissioner Ed Fogels and ADF&G Commissioner Cora Campbell, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers.
4-5 p.m. Presentation by Fogels and Campbell
5-6 p.m. Invited stakeholder panel discussion
6-7 p.m. Recorded public testimony, 2 minutes per participant
• Dec. 10 in Homer with Fogels and Randy Bates, ADF&G director of the Division of Habitat, at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitors Center
4-5 p.m. Presentation by Fogels and Bates
5-6 p.m. Invited stakeholder panel discussion
6-7 p.m. Recorded public testimony, 2 minutes per participant.
Additional written testimony is welcome at both meetings.
HB 77 was introduced by the House Rules Committee at the request of Gov. Sean Parnell. It relates to the “Alaska Land Act, including certain authorizations, contracts, leases, permits or other disposals of state land, resources, property or interests; relating to authorization for the use of state land by general permit; relating to exchange of state land; establishing that performance of a feasibility study for the development and operation of a hydroelectric site at Chikuminuk Lake is not considered an incompatible use of the Wood-Tikchik State Park; relating to procedures for certain administrative appeals and requests for reconsideration to the commissioner of natural resources; relating to the Alaska Water Use Act; and providing for an effective date.”
The current version of the bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.
Announcing the meetings, Micciche said HB 77 has generated more correspondence than any other legislation, by proponents and opponents, since he became District O senator in January.
His objective of the meeting “is to provide a forum for the Department of Natural Resources to present the bill, and for interested District O stakeholders to provide feedback and have an opportunity for their questions to be answered in an orderly, respectful discussion.”
For more information, contact Sen. Micciche at 235-0690 or 800-964-5733
To read the bill in its entirety, visit: legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill_text.asp?hsid=HB0077C&session=28
