Senate Bill 26 (SB26) is terrible public policy that drastically alters the sale, exchange, permitting and use of state lands and or water. It passed the House under its sister bill HB77. Obviously, the governor has this on the fast track. Why, one might ask.
Approximately 223,205 people (AKDOL, R&A, US Census 2010) -- one third of the total state population, live in unorganized places all across the state. How will this legislation impact their lifestyle and/or livelihoods? Has this been studied?
An appeal process is poorly addressed and hardly fair. Are any decisions throughout the appeal process resolved at the local government level before going to the highest (the only) level, which is Department of Natural resources commissioner, or in some cases a DNR division director? Do city, borough or tribal governments have a role in the administration and/or appeal processes? The bill doesn't say so. What about lands in trust under the Alaska Native Claims Act that may want to swap land with the state? These complex land issues are not addressed in this bill.
Senate Bill 26 gives much too much authority to one person -- the commissioner of Department of Natural Resources. To appeal the commissioner's decision is futile. One must appeal to the same commissioner who wrote the first decision. The commissioner of DNR is not even required to reply in writing. This is poorly thought out.
SB26 shows an absence of fair appeal process, mentions no public impact, and offers a minimal public comment opportunity. This combination makes for bad legislation. To add insult to injury, the accompanying fiscal notes say it won't cost anything. That's a fantasy.
Contact your Senator before it becomes the law of the land. Get the word out. Let elected leaders know we want smarter public policy! We don't need sloppy, lazy legislation, and we deserve much better.
Tara Jollie is the former Director of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Division of Community and Regional Affairs. After working 20 years for state government, she is now retired and blogs on rural affairs under the nickname "Leaddog" at LeaddogAlaska.net.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch. Alaska Dispatch welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, e-mail commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.