Comment Letter on House Bill 98 to House Finance Committee

February 8, 2022

Submitted via [email protected]

Re: House Bill 98, an act related to forest land use plans; relating to forest land use plan appeals; relating to negotiated timber sales; and providing for an effective date 

Dear Co-Chairs Merrick and Foster, and members of House Finance: 

The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to comment in support of House Bill 98, an act related to forest land use plans; relating to forest land use plan appeals; relating to negotiated timber sales; and providing for an effective date.

RDC is a statewide trade association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s fishing, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.

House Bill 98 provides the State with the ability to offer small volume timber sales with greater efficiency. It allows the State, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Forestry (DOF) with the ability to negotiate sales with any use of timber resources. House Bill 98 does away with the ability to appeal a Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP), which in turn allows the State to conduct timber sales more efficiently, without compromising required environmental review and public comment requirements and processes. 

RDC supports House Bill 98 which creates greater efficiency when it comes to responsible development of our natural resources.  

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.