Who owns Alaska’s natural resources?

The archives of pop culture in the U.S. would be very different if Jed Clampett from "The Beverly Hillbillies" had lived in Alaska.

We all know the basic story line: Jed's a poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed. Then one day he was shootin' at some food, and up through the ground came a bubblin' crude - oil that is, black gold, Texas tea.

Soon old Jed's a millionaire and his kinfolk said ‘Jed move away from there.' They said ‘Californy is the place you ought to be.' So they loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly.

We don't know where TV's fictional Clampett family lived before moving to Beverly Hills, but we are positive it was not Alaska. How can we be so sure?

In Alaska, it is the people of the state who own the natural resources, like oil, gas, water, coal, gold, tin, platinum, timber and zinc. If Uncle Jed had struck oil while hunting for dinner in Alaska, he wouldn't get a dime - until he received his annual Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend check in October.

Qualified Alaska residents have until March 31 to apply to receive this year's dividend payment. Apply online at pfd.state.ak.us. In the Mat-Su Valley, paper applications also are available at the Mat-Su Legislative Information Office, Wasilla Area Seniors Inc., Wasilla Public Library, Palmer Public Library and Palmer Senior Citizens Center Inc.

That the people of Alaska collectively own its natural resources also is an important consideration in terms of our statewide discussion of how to price our shared resources for resale. Rather than negotiate with hundreds of private landowners, like Jed Clampett, oil companies in Alaska pay the state for leases that allow them to produce and market our collectively owned petroleum resources.

But often when we see numbers used to compared what these companies pay to access Alaska resources vs. what companies pay in other states, the numbers don't reflect the unique Alaska Constitution: We own the resources, and money paid is part tax and part purchase price.

Without question, we are heavily reliant on our oil fields to fill state coffers. Presently, close to 90 percent of Alaska's unrestricted general fund revenue - about $5 billion annually - is generated by the oil and gas industry. But our relationship with producers also is symbiotic: industry needs our oil to keep its pipeline operating and profits flowing for shareholders.

As we move ahead with a statewide conversation regarding what is a fair price for industry to develop our shared natural resources, we encourage Alaskans to be active participants in the conversation. Remember the state Constitution's charge to develop collectively owned natural resources for "maximum benefit." Follow the debate. Ask questions. Hold lawmakers accountable.

This PFD filing season should serve as a reminder of how much is at stake.