Powers and duties of board.

(a) The board shall review and comment to the commissioner on regulations proposed for adoption under this chapter.

(b) The board shall provide a forum for representatives of affected interests to discuss and attempt to resolve issues relevant to this chapter and to the forest resources of the state.

(c) The board, working with the department, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Fish and Game, other affected agencies and parties, and the forest-dependent industries, shall conduct an annual survey of research needs related to forest practices. The board shall review research proposals and shall make recommendations to promote research projects that would address these needs to the governor and the legislature.

(d) The board shall coordinate the monitoring of the implementation and effectiveness of this chapter, the regulations, and best management practices adopted under this chapter in meeting state water quality standards, fish and wildlife habitat requirements, and other forestry objectives. The board shall report annually to the governor on the effectiveness of this chapter and regulations adopted under it, with its recommendations for changes and for needed research and monitoring. The board shall notify the legislature that the annual report is available. The state forester, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Environmental Conservation shall each present an annual report, independently, to the board on the effectiveness of this chapter, the regulations, and best management practices adopted under this chapter that protect the resources for which they have statutory responsibility, and shall make recommendations for changes to correct procedural or substantive problems. The board shall include the reports as part of its annual report. The board shall hold hearings at least once annually in southeast, southcentral, and interior Alaska for purposes of taking public testimony on the subjects.