Legislature considers whether state should take over wetlands permitting

JUNEAU (AP) — Alaska lawmakers are considering a request by Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration that the state take over part of a federal environmental permitting program for development in wetlands, though some members of the Senate's budget-writing committee have expressed concerns with the potential costs.

Administration officials have said the idea behind the proposal is to speed the construction of roads, bridges, mines and drilling projects.

While the state would have to follow federal standards, critics of the proposal say the state has traditionally favored development and underfunded...