 Improved Coordination Benefits Industry, Coastal Communities, Citizens November 29, 2002
"We appreciate the three years of effort led by the Knowles Administration to complete this new regulatory package," said Judy Brady, Executive Director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association. Final approval of the regulations was given by the Alaska Coastal Policy Council on November 27, 2002. The regulations will go into effect on January 21, 2003. "The regulations are meant to make sure that local input on proposed development activities is assured, and that decisions on coastal matters are being made in the state," said the Honorable Jack Cushing, Mayor of the City of Homer. Cushing is the Public Member Co-Chair for the Council, representing Lower Cook Inlet. Under the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP), projects that affect coastal uses or resources must be reviewed for compliance with local, state and federal coastal policies before development permits can be issued. A coordinated coastal review process was first spelled out in regulation in 1984. As these regulations were implemented, it became clear that improvements were needed. To improve the consistency review process, the Division of Governmental Coordination (DGC, which is housed within the Office of the Governor) held numerous public meetings, solicited and accepted substantial oral and written testimony, and worked closely with the state resource agencies, coastal communities, regulated industries, and the environmental community to develop this regulation package. The revised regulations meet two primary goals voiced by all participants in the ACMP:
The revised regulations clearly identify the roles, responsibilities and procedural requirements of the coastal review process, fostering a coordinated work environment for the project proponent, state permitting agencies, the coastal district, and the public. Brady said a diverse group of stakeholders worked through three years of hearings and comments to craft the new regulatory package. "These regulations are an important first step in the permit streamlining process. We believe the Coastal Policy Council has made significant strides in clarifying key elements of the coastal zone program by approving these regulations," Brady said. "The Coastal Policy Council has now approved changes to the original regulations which address most of the issues that have surfaced over the years," said Marty Rutherford, a member of the Council representing the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. "Specific amendments have been made to clarify scope of review, applicability, timelines, and content of proposed and final consistency determinations. These changes make for a more predictable and certain review process."
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