I, Walter J. Hickel, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority granted by Article III of the Alaska Constitution, hereby establish the Governor's Outdoor Recreation and Trails Advisory Committee (GORTAC). The members of the GORTAC will be appointed by the Governor to serve as the state outdoor recreation advisory committee for purposes of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (P.L. 88-578) and the Symms National Recreational Trails Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-240), as amended.

1. The purpose of the GORTAC is to facilitate the review, evaluation, and prioritization of eligible outdoor recreation projects for funding under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Symms National Recreational Trails Act (Symms).

2. The purpose of the GORTAC will be realized through the following means: (a) coordinating public notification, application assistance, and review to ensure that all potentially eligible applicants have a fair opportunity to participate in grant funding under the LWCF and Symms programs; (b) applying the LWCF and Symms program criteria to projects based on the relative need for trail maintenance, park land acquisition, and outdoor recreation development, as identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan; (c) providing information and coordinating public participation in the project selection process under the LWCF and Symms programs; (d) recommending a final ranking of projects for funding under the LWCF and Symms programs to the State Liaison Officer in the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation; and (e) recognizing that the LWCF and Symms are different programs, and that federal appropriations under these programs must remain separate. The GORTAC shall advise the Governor and the State Liaison Officer on issues relating to the implementation of the LWCF and Symms programs.

3. The GORTAC will be composed of no more than ten (10) and no less than five (5) members and includes the Lieutenant Governor. Except the Lieutenant Governor, members of the committee will be appointed by the Governor, and will serve for staggered terms of three years at the pleasure of the Governor; however, the initial appointment of those members may be for terms less than three years so that the terms of approximately one-third of the committee expires each year.

4. Section 1302(c) (2) (A) of Symms requires that committee membership include representation by both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail users. Chapter 660.4, paragraph 3 (g), of the LWCF Grants Manual requires that committee membership include "representation of minorities to the extent that such representation reasonably reflects the ratio of the minority to the non-minority population of the state." The intent of both programs shall be met with the following appointments:

a. One seat is assigned to the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as chair.

b. Four seats will be assigned based on the following criteria: one resident from each of the four judicial districts of the state. Preference shall be given to minority candidates to the extent required by the LWCF.

c. Two seats will be assigned to persons with a demonstrated interest in non-motorized recreational opportunities.

d. Two seats will be assigned to persons with a demonstrated interest in
motorized recreational opportunities.

e. One seat will be assigned to a person with a demonstrated interest in issues relating to trail access by persons with disabilities.

5. The GORTAC may adopt by-laws, elect other officers, and establish standing committees as it considers appropriate.

a. The GORTAC shall convene an open public meeting at least once every other year. Meetings of the GORTAC must be open to the public and must be preceded by reasonable public notice.

b. A quorum of the full GORTAC consists of one more than one-half of the membership. At least one appointed member representing motorized trails and one appointed representative of non-motorized trails must be present during the review, evaluation, and prioritization of Symms trails projects.

c. Members of the GORTAC are not entitled to receive compensation for service on the committee, but are entitled to per diem and travel expenses authorized by law for boards and commissions.

6. The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, will provide professional, technical, and clerical staff assistance to support the activities of the GORTAC.

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for general statewide implementation, administration, compliance, and fiscal oversight of all LWCF and Symms programs in Alaska.

This order takes effect immediately.

Dated this 13 day of May, 1993

By: S/S Walter J. Hickel        
Walter J. Hickel                
Governor