Treadwell: Coastal management cost $5.4M

Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell estimates a proposed coastal management program would cost $5.4 million a year.

The program is being proposed as a ballot initiative.

Treadwell was required to provide a cost estimate of the program to be included in petition booklets. The booklets are necessary for initiative sponsors to gather signatures. Treadwell’s office says they should be ready the week of Dec. 19.

The initiative chairman has said he wants to get 27,000 signatures before the start of the legislative session Jan. 17.

Alaska’s coastal management program lapsed June 30 after lawmakers failed to save it. It was estimated at that time to cost $4.7 million, which included state and federal funds.

Treadwell’s $5.4 million estimate includes $700,000 for administrative support for the coastal policy board the proposal would establish.

—Associated Press