Legislature(1995 - 1996)
05/03/1995 08:45 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL 93 (RES)
"An Act relating to the disposal of state land along
the Dalton Highway; and providing for an effective
date."
SENATOR MIKE MILLER testified in support of SB 93 (RES). He
pointed out that in the last session the Legislature passed
SB 210 which provided for the reauthorization of existing
leases in three development nodes along the Dalton Highway
including Deadhorse, Yukon River Crossing and Coldfoot.
Future non-residential land disposal at Deadhorse was
allowed in that legislation.
He continued that with the recent opening of the highway to
public traffic, the need for additional services has
expanded. SB 93 would allow the State to proceed with
future non-residential disposal in each of the remaining
four nodes along the route for development of various public
facilities. The legislation is structured to allow disposal
only within the identified nodes which have existing pads so
that orderly development is maintained at regular intervals
along the highway. He concluded, as with any state land
disposal, all proposed sales or leases will require a Land
Use Plan, subject to procedures set forth in law which
provide for thorough public review.
2
Representative Brown asked how close Stephens Village was to
the development areas. Senator Miller did not know.
Representative Brown asked if any of the village areas were
in opposition to the legislation. Senator Miller responded
that the only village which testified was the North Slope
Borough and that their concerns have been addressed.
Representative Martin asked if the current lessee's were
being protected. Senator Miller understood that they would
continue to be protected. He stated that the Tanana Chief
Conference supported the legislation. Representative Brown
asked about the litigation proceedings filed over the
opening of the Haul Road. Senator Miller replied that the
Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the State.
Representative Brown inquired if public maintenance and
safety for the road use had been addressed in the budget.
Senator Miller replied that in opening the road, eligibility
for federal funds would increase.
TERESA SAGER, STAFF, SENATOR MILLER, explained that since
the decision was made to coordinate efforts, the Departments
of Natural Resources, Transportation and Public Facilities
and Public Safety have been working cooperatively in order
that all public needs will be met. The Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) has indicated
that they do not anticipate more than an additional 50
vehicles on the road per day during the peak summer months
and that they do not intend to change their current
maintenance plan.
Representative Brown asked the total expected cost to the
State. Ms. Sager pointed out that the proposed legislation
has zero fiscal notes. Representative Therriault commented
that the cost of opening the road should not be tied to the
legislation as the road is currently open. Representative
Brown emphasized that there will be a cost associated with
developing the area in order to make it possible for more
people to travel the road.
DAVID VANDENBERG,(TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), NORTH
ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, FAIRBANKS, echoed
Representative Brown's concern and spoke against the
proposed legislation. He pointed out that there is
currently insufficient funding for law enforcement and that
there have been long standing objections to the opening of
the Dalton Highway. He projected that SB 93 was a portion
of the adjournment package. Representative Therriault
reiterated that the road is currently open, which had been
approved by the court.
3
Representative Navarre asserted that statewide services are
currently inadequate. Road maintenance has been underfunded
for many years. He stressed that the Legislature should be
prepared to cover future costs associated with the proposed
legislation. He stressed that these will be new costs to
the State. Representative Navarre urged the Committee
members to recognize that there will be great fiscal impact
to DOTPF in passage of the bill.
Representative Brown agreed with the comments of
Representative Navarre and noted that there also had not
been a fiscal note attached for the Department of Public
Safety. She noted that Department is currently not able to
deal with addressing adequate service needs. The
legislation will add increased pressure on that Department.
Representative Brown asked if not opening the road was an
option at this time. Representative Therriault explained
that the court ruled that if public money is spent on the
road, it must be open to the public.
Representative Navarre asked if a fiscal note had been
solicited from DOTPF. Ms. Sager advised that one had not
been requested, noting that there had been a position paper
provided by that agency indicating that they do not
anticipate fiscal impact. She added that when DNR
recommended the legislation, they requested to see the
development occur in nodes in order to avoid strip
development. DNR noted that the nodes had been evenly
spaced along the highway in order to avoid the problems that
come with strip development.
Representative Navarre reiterated that DOTPF would
experience costs associated with passage of the legislation
and urged Committee members to consider adequate funding for
that Department.
Representative Mulder MOVED to report HCS CS SB 93 (RES) out
of Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTIONS, it
was so ordered.
HCS CS SB 93 (RES) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendations and with zero fiscal notes by the
Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Natural
Resources dated 2/28/95.
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