The University of Alaska could be getting a huge chunk of real estate if Gov. Frank Murkowski gets his way.

The governor, last week, announced legislation that would transfer 260,000 acres of state land to the university system.

"My commitment is clear," Murkowski said, "we want a university that academically is strong and is financially sound."

The governor announced the proposed land transfer in Fairbanks, flanked by UA Pres. Mark Hamilton, UAF Chancellor Steve Jones, Department of Natural Resource Commissioner Tom Irwin and members of the Board of Regents.

The 260,000 acres, split up between 71 parcels spread throughout Alaska, could be used by the University to perform research, expand facilities, and raise long-term income. The lands include forests near Nenana and Tok with research potential, land near Fairbanks appropriate for development, and 90,000 acres in the Nenana Basin Oil and Gas tract where oil and natural gas could be turned into long-term income for the University.

Most of the land would be turned over to the university within three years of the bill's passage.

The income potential, as well, is long term, the governor reiterated.

"This is not intended to address the university's budget process," he said, referring to the university's current financial woes.

"While a land grant wouldn't replace the responsibility of an annual financial commitment from the state, " Pres. Hamilton said, "it would go a long way toward securing a stable future for the university system."

"This land transfer will help fulfill the promise of a true land grant university," Murkowski said. "It provides a portfolio of income and educational properties to deliver to the University of Alaska both a steady and strong funding stream and the tools to expand its research capabilities."

The governor also sees the land transfer as a means to job growth in the state.

"We are creating an atmosphere where new jobs can be associated with development," the governor said. "We have an obligation to not only provide education, but to provide jobs."

"This land transfer strengthens the University of Alaska's ability to prepare its students for the jobs of the future," Murkowski said.

"This has been a long time coming," said Hamilton.

In 2000, the Alaska Legislature passed similar legislation to transfer land to the university. That bill was vetoed by then governor Tony Knowles, and despite the legislature's efforts to overturn the veto, the issue became tangled in litigation.

"We appreciate the commitment, cooperation and support from the governor and the Department of Natural Resources for its help in developing this proposal," Hamilton said.

"This is a long-neglected effort to give the university something that they should have had a long time ago," Murkowski said.

Not everyone, however, is pleased with the proposed transfer.

"The real motivation here is not to help the university," said Matt Davidson, Legislative Director of the Alaska Conservation Voters. "The state actually just wants to privatize lands."

Davidson is worried about public access, conservation of watersheds important to the environment and the rights of local communities to manage their lands and resources how they see fit.

"They are taking the resources away from fledgling communities and boroughs," he said.

But groups opposing the transfer are finding it difficult to rally support given the legislation's break-neck schedule. The governor has put his legislation on a fast track. It is already scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Currently, the university owns and manages approximately 182,000 acres across the state. By comparison, Oklahoma and New Mexico each have over 1 million acres.

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, the governor's daughter, has also introduced legislation in Washington D.C. that could potentially grant 250,000 acres of federal land to the university. Her legislation also has provisions to match the extra acreage of the state land grant.

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