Sec. 41.17.082. - Control of infestations and disease. - Alaska Statutes

(a) All forest clearing operations and silvicultural systems shall be designed to reduce the likelihood of increased insect infestation and disease infections that threaten forest resources.

(b) A forest landowner may not conduct or approve timber clearing activities that create conditions fostering outbreaks of infestation or infection that threaten forest resources on forest land belonging to another person. If the commissioner finds, after notice and hearing, that there has been a violation of this subsection, the commissioner may require the forest landowner, at that person's expense, to

(1) remove promptly or cure the conditions fostering outbreaks of infestation or infection; and

(2) undertake environmentally sound, effective, and cost-efficient actions to control the infestation or infection in the immediate vicinity of the improper timber clearing activity.

(c) If a forest landowner does not comply with a final order of the commissioner under (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, the commissioner may enter onto the land and undertake the actions ordered and the landowner is liable for the cost of the actions. The commissioner shall deliver to the landowner an itemized statement of expenses incurred.

(d) The commissioner may undertake surveys and appraisals to obtain data on regional insect infestations and disease conditions. Upon a determination that an area is infested with forest insects or infected with diseases injurious to forest resources and that the infestation or infection threatens the forest land or timber of adjacent owners, the commissioner may establish the boundaries of an infestation or infection zone. The commissioner may enter into an agreement with an owner or with a governmental agency to control or suppress infestation or infection within the zone. Upon a determination by the commissioner that insect and disease control work within the zone is no longer necessary or feasible, the commissioner shall terminate the zone.