AK HB91

Amends AS 41.17.060(b) to establish regulatory and administrative standards for managing state, municipal, and private forest land.

Requires use of updated data and information from applicable disciplines in forest management decisions and recognition of environmentally sensitive areas in developing regulations and best management practices.

Mandates consideration of marketing conditions and economic constraints affecting forest landowners, timber owners, and operators in forest land administration.

Establishes strict safety standards for timber harvest and logging operations on slopes greater than 45 percent grade or 24 degree slope angle within one-half mile of public roads or adjacent to areas of human habitation, requiring consideration of soil types, ground disturbance, root system destruction, wind exposure, groundwater levels, and debris flow channels.

Requires the state forester to provide public notice to affected property owners and local governing bodies of potential hazards from timber harvest and logging operations subject to these safety standards.