2000-02-28                     House Journal                      Page 2336
HB 426                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 426 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act relating to transfers of public land or grants or                     
conveyances of interest in public land among the Alaska Railroad               
Corporation, the Department of Transportation and Public                       
Facilities, and the Department of Natural Resources to relocate or             
widen the Seward Highway, to relocate railroad facilities, and to              
relocate adjacent utility facilities; and providing for an effective           
date."                                                                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation, Resources,         
and Finance Committees.                                                        
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Natural Resources, 2/28/00                          
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities, 2/28/00         
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 25, 2000, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
The Seward Highway south of Anchorage through Chugach State Park               
has been reconstructed and realigned over the past few years to                
promote greater safety and ease for the traveling public.  Some of             
these improvements and further planned projects also involve adjacent          
railroad and utility rights-of-way.  Because the laws creating Chugach         

2000-02-28                     House Journal                      Page 2337
HB 426                                                                       
State Park prohibit transfer of park lands, land exchanges for                 
realignments and relocations of the highway and railroad require               
specific statutory authority.                                                  
                                                                               
This bill allows for the exchanges of property interests between               
Chugach State Park, the Department of Transportation, the Alaska               
Railroad and utilities needed for widening or relocating the highway           
or railroad through the Park.  All land exchanges would be subject to          
a finding by the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources           
that they would not significantly affect the purposes of the Park.             
                                                                               
The transferred park land would be limited to the amount necessary for         
the relocation.  All lands received in exchange for the relocation needs       
would become part of Chugach State Park.                                       
                                                                               
This bill will provide for the continued upgrading and increased safety        
along one of our state's most traveled highways. At the same time, the         
scenic and recreational values of Chugach State Park will be protected         
and enhanced through continued close cooperation and project planning          
between state agencies and the Alaska Railroad.                                
                                                                               
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                       
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"