2000-02-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 2448
SB 285                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 285 BY THE SENATE 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 and                 
Finance Committees.                                                            
                                                                               
Zero fiscal notes published today from Department of Transportation            
and Public Facilities, Department of Natural Resources.                        
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated February 25:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
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 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.                                                                          
                                                                               

2000-02-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 2449
SB 285                                                                       
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 states 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