Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
04/07/2011 08:00 AM House ECON. DEV., TRADE & TOURISM
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Biomass Boiler Heating Systems | |
| HJR27 | |
| HB222 | |
| HB191 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HJR 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 222 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 191 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 27-RELOCATE COASTAL VILLAGES REGION FUND
8:13:05 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27, Supporting the relocation of
the home port of the Coastal Villages Region Fund fishing fleet
from Seattle to Alaska.
8:13:18 AM
KATIE KOESTER, Staff, Representative Paul Seaton, Alaska State
Legislature, stated HJR 27 is a resolution to support bringing
the Alaska fishing fleet home. She reminded the committee of
the 3/31/11 presentation by representatives of Seward detailing
the merits of this initiative, and that several committee
members have signed as co-sponsors. Ms. Koester said HJR 27 is
an effort to bring about economic development in all of the
state by encouraging the Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) to
homeport its fleet in Seward. Coastal Villages Region Fund is
one of six Community Development Quota (CDQ) groups that were
developed in the '90s and given "a stake in the Bering Sea
fisheries." The CDQ groups represent 65 Bering Sea communities
and are required to reinvest their profits, bringing economic
development, jobs, and hope to coastal villages in the Bering
Sea region. Coastal Villages Region Fund is the largest
Alaskan-owned and Alaska-based fishery company, with expected
seafood sales in the amount of $75 million in 2011. In
addition, CVRF has an impressive fleet of vessels that spend $5-
$10 million on maintenance each year, $20 million in moorage in
Seattle, and $10 million on crew annually. She relayed that
CVRF wants to return its fleet, crews, and jobs to Alaska. A
survey indicated that the requirements to homeport a fleet of
this size are: a year around ice-free port; road, rail, and air
access; space for harbor and uplands development; a maritime
licensing facility. Nearby Seward is able to provide all of
these services, in addition to a drydock and the Alaska
Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC), which is an educational and
licensing facility. Ms. Koester restated the purpose of the
resolution is about economic development, and she pointed out
the letters of support from around the state and the Alaska
Congressional delegation found in the committee packet.
Furthermore, the City of Seward has funded a preliminary study
in favor of this issue, the U.S. Corps of Engineers (USACE) has
found that the relocation is economically feasible, and CVRF has
determined that Seward is the best choice for an Alaska port.
8:18:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER has heard from a Seward resident
questioning the city's public process prior to the engineering
study on this issue. Also, she asked about any efforts on
Seattle's part to keep the fleet there.
8:19:23 AM
MS. KOESTER said Seward did a small study at a cost of $5,000,
and has submitted a capital budget request for $400,000 to
complete an in-depth study that would incorporate public
testimony. Regarding a response from the Port of Seattle, she
opined it is the legislature's responsibility to advocate for
Alaska.
CHAIR HERRON observed a fleet of this size is important to any
economic region.
8:20:43 AM
CHAIR HERRON opened public testimony.
8:21:55 AM
WILLARD DUNHAM, Mayor, City of Seward, expressed his belief that
this is a unique opportunity in that an industry is interested
in moving its operation to Alaska. The City of Seward has
passed two resolutions and has held public hearings regarding
this issue; in fact, the property involved is a 476-acre tract
zoned for industrial use. He advised the idea for the expansion
of the port has been vetted in the community and is supported by
most residents. Mr. Dunham agreed that there will be a reaction
from the Port of Seattle; furthermore, if all six CDQs decide to
move, that would entail a fleet of 200 vessels.
8:25:30 AM
PHILLIP OATES, City Manager, City of Seward, added that one of
the resolutions passed by Seward was a comprehensive resolution
outlining the merits of the proposed project. The first phase
of the project will be built onto existing infrastructure in an
area that already has been permitted. Dr. Oates assured the
committee Seward will continue to address concerns from its
residents. He advised that members of the Congressional
delegation felt that the Port of Seattle may not have an impact
on the CVRF phase of this project, because federal money is not
involved. In fact, the ultimate funding for the project will be
a combination of general obligation (GEO) bonds at the state
level, revenue bonds at the local level, and public-private
financing. He called attention to documents from the
Congressional delegation and others in full support of HJR 27
that are found in the committee packet.
8:29:01 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON stated his intent for the committee to visit the
site during interim. He asked Dr. Oates to comment on the
significance of the support from the Congressional delegation.
DR. OATES opined that the support from the Congressional
delegation indicates that they see this as the fulfillment of
the vision of the original purpose of the CDQ groups, which was
to strengthen the American presence in the fishing fleets that
were formally dominated by foreign vessels, and to provide
quotas to the communities surrounding the fishing areas. Also,
CDQ groups allow for the reinvestment of profits into education,
and growth of the local fishing industry. Dr. Oates pointed out
that support for HJR 27 extends from both political parties and
urges other CDQ groups to move their homeports to Alaska.
8:32:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER asked how the resolution would help.
DR. OATES said the resolution indicates there is solid support
at all levels for the project, which always helps with
permitting. In addition, the resolution will indicate to the
Senate and the governor that the House supports Seward's capital
budget request to pay for the full engineering, geotechnical,
and economic analysis of the project and its costs.
8:33:49 AM
MR. DUNHAM added that fishing organizations are supportive of
the project.
NEIL RODRIGUEZ, Regulatory Manager, Coastal Villages Region
Fund, affirmed that moving the fleet is a long-time goal for the
CDQ program and a benefit to the fishing industry.
8:35:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ALAN AUSTERMAN, Alaska State Legislature, relayed
his experience as a commercial fisherman in the '60s when he
watched foreign fishing vessels interfere with and destroy his
crab pots. Today, through the Congressional imposition of the
three-mile limit, the fisheries are American, but are not
Alaskan. The value of the fishery in the Bristol Bay region is
between $2.3 billion and $2.5 billion, but 90 percent of the
jobs and profits go to Seattle and Oregon. He opined the value
of keeping fleet jobs and support services in Alaska is "mind
boggling." Representative Austerman strongly supported HJR 27
and the idea of bringing all of the CDQ groups back to Alaska.
8:39:04 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON closed public testimony.
8:39:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK stated that HJR 27 represents a great vision
and plan, and an opportunity to keep money in Alaska. In
addition, the move would create new industries to support the
fishing fleet. He expressed his support for the resolution and
said he would like to participate as a co-sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER observed that the power and impact on
Western Alaska of the CDQ program - which brings an influx of
jobs and money to small villages - has been amazing.
8:40:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK moved to report HJR 27, Version 27-LS0780\M,
from committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, HJR 27 was
reported from the House Special Committee on Economic
Development, International Trade and Tourism.
8:41:42 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:41 a.m. to 8:42 a.m.
8:42:40 AM