Press Release on the Tribal Zoning of Alaska

******* For Immediate Release *******

TO: FRONTIERSMAN

FROM: REP. SCOTT OGAN

DATE: JAN, 1997

RE: SOVEREIGNTY ISSUE

With the 20th Session of the Alaska State Legislature less than two weeks old, Rep. Scott Ogan (R) Palmer has hit the ground running. Ogan who vice-chaired three committees as a freshman has been tapped as co-chair for the House Resources Committee. He has also been selected to sit on four other committees including Legislative Council, Oil and Gas, Fisheries and Community and Regional Affairs. When asked if his committee schedule is too much, Ogan didn’t think so. "Most oil and gas and fisheries bills will be coming to the Resources Committee eventually. These assignments will help me better prepare for dealing with the issues before they get there."

With Republicans holding their first ever super majority in Juneau, Ogan sees several issues which will not be business as usual while acknowledging big challenges ahead in the resources category. The Trans-Alaska Gas Line, Cook Inlet salmon, subsistence,, coastal zone management, and assisting the mining in the Valley are just a few of the topics the House Resources Committee will oversee.

Ogan is most concerned however with what he calls "the tribal zoning of Alaska." "Until we establish that we are one State with one set of laws for all people many major resources issues are up in the air." Ogan is referring to the issue of tribal sovereignty which is proving to be a vexing issue for the Legislature, Governor and the Congressional delegation. The Palmer Representative is considering holding public hearings to learn the possible impacts of this issue on resource development.

The Trans Alaska Gas line (TAGS) project is a priority for Ogan. "Last session the Resources Committee led the way in getting the oil producers and Yukon Pacific talking. I hope to continue to move ahead with this project." Joint hearings with the Oil and Gas Committee are scheduled for next week.

Ogan does not seem to be intimidated by the political challenges ahead. The first bill scheduled in committee was one vetoed by Tony Knowles last session. The highly popular recreational access bill (HB 447 by Rep. Masek) which sailed through the House and Senate will be heard next week. When asked if it was meant as a message to the governor Ogan replied, " No this is a message to the people. When a bill they overwhelmingly support is needed, we will do all we can to deliver for them." Of course Ogan knows it may take 27 members of the House and 13 in the Senate to deliver on that promise. " The governor knows we have the numbers to override a veto this time. I think if he will work with us we can convince him that protecting recreational access is good public policy."