April 3, 2005

To: House Finance Committee Members


To Whom It May Concern,

The University Land Grant Bill HB 130 is a matter of grave concern to our organization and to many landowners in the greater McCarthy community. Approximately 12,500 acres of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land in the area are being considered for transfer to the University of Alaska.

This state land bordering the Nizina River has been a traditional source of firewood, house logs, game, seasonal gathering, and gravel for the local community for decades. Current DNR planning policies designate land use for wildlife habitat and public recreation. The proposed transfer would allow the University to sell the parcels and develop them for any purposes.

 This acreage serves as a much needed buffer between the community of McCarthy and the restricted federal lands of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Transfer of this land would have a severe impact on the growing community’s subsistence needs.

We formally request that parcel MAMC.1001 be removed from legislative consideration in HB130 / SB96 and remain under DNR jurisdiction.

 We understand and agree with the noble purposes of granting ownership of lands to the University to provide funding and stability for the future. However, crippling the resources of a community surrounded by federal land should not be a repercussion of the legislation.


Sincerely,


Susan Smith
Chairman, Residents of the Wrangells







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