RDC Comment Letter:
HB106 - Alaska Coastal Management Program Extension

April 6, 2011

The Alaska State Legislature
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801

RE: HB106 Alaska Coastal Management Program Extension

Dear Members of the Alaska Legislature:

RDC has received numerous calls from legislators and legislative staff inquiring as to whether we support the committee substitute for HB106 pertaining to the renewal of the Alaska Coastal Management Program. At present, we have not taken a position. We are reviewing the bill and will provide feedback as soon as we are able.

RDC’s membership is extremely diverse and has members on every side of this contentious issue, including oil and gas and mining companies, Alaska Native Corporations, and local governments such as the North Slope Borough.

Our previous testimony before House Resources endorsed the 6-year extension proposed in the original bill. We also endorsed the Governor’s four principles for potential changes to the program:

1. The ACMP must maintain a predictable process.
2. The ACMP must be maintained as a strong state program, where participant input is valued.
3. ACMP standards and enforceable policies must be objective, and must not duplicate or redefine existing authorities.
4. Coastal districts should be afforded a meaningful role for input on projects, but should not possess a veto decision over projects.

Finally, we articulated our position that RDC will oppose changes to the program that shift decision making authority from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to other entities, add process, duplicate state or federal requirements, or impede or delay progress on resource development.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.