(Anchorage) - The legislatively appointed Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission will hold its second public hearing in the Elvey Auditorium on the campus of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks next Thursday and Friday, December 7th & 8th. The objective of the hearing is to take invited testimony from the academic community on specific areas of interest to the commission, and to take testimony from the public at large.

This commission was established by passage of House Concurrent Resolution 30 and consists of eleven members; four legislators and seven unpaid citizens. Together, they represent a wide variety of relevant professional expertise and personal experience in the areas of climatology, economics, community development, wildlife management, arctic engineering, tourism, and resource development. Over the next two years, commissioners will work on developing a comprehensive overview of the likely impacts of climate change affecting Alaska, and steps we can take to mitigate that impact. It will also consider facilities and infrastructure, identify financial implications of climate change, and help our local communities with planning activities.

The appointees are: Senators Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) and Donald Olson (D-Golovin); Representatives Ralph Samuels (R-Anchorage), chairman, and Reggie Joule (D-Kotzebue), vice-chairman; and public members Cpt. Bob Pawlowski (Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation), Mr. Lance Miller (Juneau Economic Development Council), Ms. Stephanie Madsen (North Pacific Fishery Mgt. Council), Mr. Dennis Nottingham (PND Engineers, Inc.), Mr. Caleb Pungowiyi (Maniilaq Assn.), Mr. Michael Hurley (Conoco-Phillips AK), and Mr. John Shively (Holland-America Line).

The Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission will make a final report to the legislature on January 10, 2008.

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