Session: State Capitol, Room 427 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2828 Fax: (907) 465-4779 Interim: 35477 Kenai Spur Highway, Suite 101 B Soldotna, AK 99669 Phone: (907) 260-3041 Fax: (907) 260-3044 345 W. Sterling Highway, Suite 102 Homer, AK 99603 Phone: (907) 235-0690 Fax: (907) 235-4008

Sponsor Statement for SB 148
Remote Water Storage for Fire Departments

An Act relating to remote water storage for fire departments.

SB 148 instructs the Department of Natural Resources to construct remote water storage sites for fire protection. These sites will consist of 10,000-gallon underground storage tanks with a pump and a hydrant. DNR will solicit applications for these remote storage tanks from all the organized fire service areas statewide. Then the department will rank the applications and, based upon appropriations, construct as many as they can afford. The applications will be ranked by the following factors:

• Distance from an adequate water supply;
• Number of buildings to be protected;
• Extent of spruce bark beetle infestation;
• Ability of fire service to provide matching funds, maintain and operate the remote water storage site; and
• Other pertinent factors.

The need for remote water storage sites is evident in many areas of the state, especially in areas where beetle infested timber greatly increases the risk of catastrophic wildfire. This legislation will help protect the lives of those people living on the fringe of fire service areas. It will also reduce property loss and possibly lower ISO rates for our residents.

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