Gov. Dunleavy recently issued several executive orders, two of which would eliminate state advisory boards that deal with land and water trails. Executive Order 126 would get rid of the Wood-Tikchik State Park Management Council. Executive Order 134 would get rid of the Recreation Rivers Advisory Board.
Unfortunately, the governor did not give a good reason for their elimination. Through a spokesperson he simply said that the purpose of the orders was to “make state government as efficient and effective as possible.”
You can read more about the Executive Orders in this ARTICLE. You can see all the Executive Orders HERE.
If you oppose the elimination of these boards, as I do, please let your legislators know. See how find and contact your legislators at the bottom of this article.
The Executive Orders will be heard at the Senate Resources committee meeting next Monday, February 12. You can comment to any or all of the members of the Senate Resources Committee HERE. The orders will also be heard in the House Resources committee soon. You can comment to any or all of the members of the House Resources Committee HERE.
Advisory Boards: Why They Are Important
Advisory boards are an important conduit between agencies and the public. They provide advice developed from years of practical experience. Most advisory board members care deeply about the resources the boards give advice about.
While the boards do take up a small amount of staff time, they give back so much more in knowledge, expertise, and historical perspective. The benefits far outweigh the costs.
One example: the late Sen. Mike Kelly used advice from the advisory board for the northern region of Alaska State Parks to create a win-win situation regarding motorized use of trails in the Chena River State Recreation Area. A strong proponent of motorized use, Sen. Kelly learned from advisory board members how summer ATV use was damaging lowland trails. Using that advice, Sen. Kelly worked for funding for upland sustainable trails in the Chena River State Recreation Area (Compeau Trail, Angel Creek Hillside Trail).
These trails are now used in winter and summer by motorized and non-motorized users. The trails have much less erosion and therefore are much more sustainable in the long run. Not only does this cut down on maintenance costs, but it also helps make the trails more enjoyable for everyone.
How You Can Act
The Legislature has 60 days from the start of the session to consider the Executive Orders. Lawmakers can call a joint session, and with a majority vote, prevent them from becoming law.
I oppose Executive Orders 126 and 134 and am encouraging my legislators and the Senate Resources Committee to ask them to vote against them. However you feel, please let your let your legislators know. You can find contact information for your legislators, go to this page: https://akleg.gov. If you don’t know who your legislators are, use the “Who Represents Me?” box at the bottom of the page.
Thank you,
Eric Troyer
Editor and Publisher
Interior Alaska Trails Newsletter
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