24th Legislature(2005-2006)
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00 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 30(FIN)
01 Creating an Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission.
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
03 WHEREAS recent weather patterns have created warming trends that have
04 jeopardized the health and well-being of residents of communities and the natural resources
05 on which they rely; and
06 WHEREAS flooding and erosion negatively affect coastal and river communities in
07 both rural and urban areas of the state; and
08 WHEREAS coastal communities are negatively affected by flooding and erosion
09 because of delayed formation of protective shore ice in the fall; and
10 WHEREAS communities along riverbanks or in river deltas are more susceptible to
11 flooding and erosion caused by ice jams, snow and glacial melts, rising sea levels, changing
12 river patterns, and heavier rainfall; and
13 WHEREAS permafrost is found beneath approximately 80 percent of the state; and
14 WHEREAS, in recent years, there has been widespread thawing of permafrost in
15 some areas, causing land to slump and erode, which in turn has caused serious damage to
16 roads, buildings, and other infrastructure; and
01 WHEREAS the thawing of the permafrost is likely to continue, which will have a
02 continuing negative effect on future structures and development; and
03 WHEREAS fish and wildlife habitats are changing, affecting the accessibility and
04 viability of certain species; and
05 WHEREAS resource development and the revenue it generates are potentially
06 negatively affected by the effects of climate change; and
07 WHEREAS the rapidly retreating sea ice affects polar route navigation and has raised
08 security concerns; and
09 WHEREAS the state has only one employee working on these issues; and
10 WHEREAS, although the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment provides the necessary
11 scientific foundation to assess current effects of climate change in the Arctic, it does not
12 address the economic effects of climate change on the State of Alaska; and
13 WHEREAS a comprehensive plan to address these issues, prevent or mitigate
14 negative effects of climate change, and address economic effects on the state will help save
15 lives, protect public health, preserve economic and resource development, and protect
16 valuable infrastructure;
17 BE IT RESOLVED by the Alaska State Legislature that there is created an Alaska
18 Climate Impact Assessment Commission; and be it
19 FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall consist of 11 members as
20 follows:
21 (1) two senators appointed by the president of the senate;
22 (2) two representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of
23 representatives; and
24 (3) seven public members appointed jointly by the president of the senate and
25 the speaker of the house of representatives consisting of
26 (A) one member with expertise in climatology or knowledgeable in the
27 area of oceanography;
28 (B) one member who is knowledgeable about Alaska's economy;
29 (C) one member who is knowledgeable in the area of land
30 management or restoration of wildlife and natural resources;
31 (D) one member experienced in arctic and sub-arctic engineering
01 requirements for public highway and facility construction and maintenance;
02 (E) a recognized local expert representing affected Alaska
03 communities;
04 (F) one member who represents affected resource development
05 industries;
06 (G) one member who represents the affected tourism industries; and be
07 it
08 FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall select a chairperson from among
09 members of the legislature; and be it
10 FURTHER RESOLVED that the public members of the commission may receive
11 compensation for per diem or reimbursement for travel or other expenses incurred in serving
12 on the commission; and be it
13 FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission may meet during and between
14 legislative sessions; and be it
15 FURTHER RESOLVED that the House and Senate Resources Committees may
16 assign committee staff to provide support services for the commission; and be it
17 FURTHER RESOLVED that the duties of the commission include the following:
18 (1) assess the current and potential effects of climate warming trends on the
19 citizens, natural resources, public health, and economy of the state, in particular the adverse
20 effects on natural resource development, forest safety, fish and game utilization,
21 transportation, community, and resource development infrastructures;
22 (2) estimate costs to the state and its citizens of adverse effects associated with
23 climate charge;
24 (3) identify specific circumstances of flooding and erosion that have affected
25 life, property, and economic and resource development in the state;
26 (4) examine alternative measures to prevent and mitigate the effects of
27 flooding and erosion;
28 (5) develop policies to guide infrastructure investments in Alaska villages,
29 cities, and boroughs that are most affected by flooding and erosion;
30 (6) recommend land use regulations, including area standards for designation
31 of land prone to flooding and erosion;
01 (7) investigate and assess issues involving permafrost and damage caused by
02 permafrost;
03 (8) recommend policies to decrease the negative effects of climate change;
04 and
05 (9) identify and coordinate efforts of mutual concern with federal, state, and
06 local agencies; and be it
07 FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall offer recommendations and
08 provide possible solutions and preventative measures that can be implemented by Alaska
09 communities and by the state and federal governments; and be it
10 FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall conduct eight hearings
11 throughout the state to fulfill its purpose; and be it
12 FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall deliver a preliminary report of its
13 findings to the legislature on March 1, 2007, and make a final report to the legislature on
14 January 10, 2008, together with legislative proposals for consideration; and be it
15 FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall be available for legislative
16 hearing on its final report and recommendations; and be it
17 FURTHER RESOLVED that the continuation or termination of the commission
18 shall be reevaluated at the Second Regular Session of the Twenty-Fifth Alaska State
19 Legislature.
