Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/25/2003 08:04 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SCR 4-AVALANCHE AWARENESS MONTH CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the first order of business was CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4(STA), Relating to Avalanche Awareness Month. Number 0111 SENATOR LYDA GREEN, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SCR 4, told the committee there have been an untold number of [avalanche-related] tragedies in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. She related her personal knowledge of those affected by avalanche tragedy and the efforts of people to increase avalanche awareness. The proposed resolution would draw attention to and honor those who begin an education program. In response to a question by Chair Weyhrauch, she noted some areas where "highmarking" occurs. She said people's efforts to expand avalanche awareness have resulted in donations, funding, networking, and educational videos and teaching guides. Number 0393 REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG began discussion of Amendment 1. On page 2, line 1, after "November 2003", he suggested adding "and each succeeding November". CHAIR WEYHRAUCH proposed just saying "the month of November". SENATOR GREEN concurred. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH, in response to a comment by Senator Green, said it wouldn't involve a [title] change. He clarified that [Amendment 1] would change the language to read, "the Alaska State Legislature proclaims the month of November as Avalanche Awareness Month;". CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that without objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. Number 0545 REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ asked if there were any plans to put money towards avalanche safety. SENATOR GREEN replied that it is such a huge issue, no amount of money is enough; that she has tried to figure out if there is a way to create a gathering point from which to extrapolate information for avalanche awareness, but that it is such a moving target, it is very difficult; and that she would attempt to get funds into the program for this year. Number 0730 REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ said he has "run amendments the last couple of years, trying to put money back in." He said former Governor Knowles wanted an avalanche awareness program and wanted to improve search and rescue. He noted that one of his own amendments had been for $350,000, which would be "barebones." He stated his understanding that [Alaska] had more fatalities than any other state last year, not just per capita. He said anything [the legislature] could do to make Alaska a safer state would be great. He mentioned the efforts of [former] Senator Halford and Representative Kerttula to put money into [avalanche-related issues], but said that is a piecemeal approach. He opined that some of the greatest avalanche experts in the country are in Alaska and that their knowledge should be used to develop a system that could be the envy of all the mountain regions in the world. Number 0818 AEDENE ARTHUR, Cofounder, Backcountry Avalanche Awareness and Response Team, noted that as a Mom On a Mission (MOM) she also speaks for the families who have lost loved ones in avalanches, including the families of the 14 young people who were killed in 1999 in avalanches in Alaska. Ms. Arthur said it is very difficult for most people to campaign when they have lost a child. Testifying in support of [SCR 4], Ms. Arthur said she thinks the amendment to make November avalanche awareness month every year is wonderful. She added, "We do use this month to promote avalanche awareness and education to all backcountry travelers in the state of Alaska, with the intent of saving lives and preventing injuries in avalanches." MS. ARTHUR said the month has also been used to teach, in the classroom, the importance of carrying and knowing how to use the basic avalanche gear of beacons, probes, and shovels. She noted that about 40 percent of people [caught by an avalanche] are killed by the initial trauma. Regarding those who survive, she said, "The only way you have of getting someone out and giving them a chance to live ... is if you can find them quickly and get them out with a beacon." She said a person has 15 to 20 minutes of air. After that time, if a search and rescue team has to be called, it is usually for a body recovery. Number 0990 MS. ARTHUR explained why this issue is so important to her and her husband. They came to Alaska in 1968 with their three-year- old daughter to teach. A son and another daughter were born, and the family moved to Palmer in 1982, where they lived and worked until retirement. Unfortunately, their son died in the March 21 avalanche at Turnagain Pass, along with 5 other young men, when a section a mile wide came down the mountain. Between March and May of that year, 13 people in Alaska were lost. She pointed out that it is not just people on snow machines that get caught by avalanches. Victims have included people working, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing. Drivers in some areas can put themselves in harm's way, too, she said, if the snow is unstable. Number 1178 MS. ARTHUR noted the typical profile of those who die in avalanches across the United States as follows: male, educated, experienced in their sport, in their 20s to 30s and, in Alaska, into their 40s. Ms. Arthur told the committee that when her son died, he was 29, had been married seven months, and left behind over 80 family members. She said, "We mourn his loss just exactly as if it was yesterday." She said one reason she works hard on this campaign is so other mothers don't have to worry about their children. She added that not only did she and her husband lose their son that day, but his body wasn't found for more than two months. Referring to a previous comment by Chair Weyhrauch, Ms. Arthur said it's not just "highmarkers" who die; it relates to the snow's stability and the underlying layer, but a person can't always tell by looking. She opined that people should be able to call to find out conditions from experts, just as pilots do before they fly. Number 1330 REPRESENTATIVE HOLM thanked Ms. Arthur for testifying. He told her that his son takes helicopters up to teach skiing in the Valdez area, and that his mother purchased an avalanche kit for him. He asked Ms. Arthur if she is aware of a kit that's available. MS. ARTHUR answered that the beacon, probe, and shovel are the basic avalanche gear to get people out if they get buried. She said she was aware that other things have been developed. She said her son had everything including a beacon, but still wasn't found for two months because the avalanche was so huge. She noted that Carl Skustad, a federal ranger in Girdwood, checks snow conditions and "checks with people" and has set up a number to call to find out current conditions at Turnagain Pass. She thanked Senator Green and indicated that the small amount of money "that got through" has been used to do "a tremendous amount of things all over the state." Number 1530 BOB JANES told the committee he has been a resident of Douglas for 38 years, during which time he worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 18 years and was involved in winter sports administration, ski area development, avalanche awareness, and "the whole arena of that outdoor recreation industry." He thanked Representative Berkowitz for his remark regarding funding, because he said he has a great deal of interest in that subject. He said Ms. Arthur adequately covered "statistics and issues." He told members he was testifying in support of [SCR 4] both as a concerned citizen and as a current volunteer board member of the Southeast Alaska Avalanche Center in Juneau. MR. JANES advised the committee that in the early 1980s, the U.S. Forest Service was a lead agency in helping to develop and operate a statewide avalanche warning system for Alaska. He noted that it was an effort among 12 government agencies - federal, state, and municipal - that was cooperatively funded, managed, and developed. He said, "My job, at that time, was to represent that agency in this effort." Mr. Janes opined that [SCR 4] should help strengthen the awareness of the dangers and risks involved with snow avalanches throughout Alaska. He also voiced hope that it may be a step toward restoring operation of a statewide avalanche warning system that would be fully capable of meeting the needs of effective avalanche education, which is currently ongoing. He noted, "The one missing element is adequate forecasting methods." He said he is confident that an adequate system could be restored for Alaska with the restoration of a large cooperative effort. Number 1748 REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ moved to report CSSCR 4(STA), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, HCS CSSCR 4(STA) was reported from the House State Affairs Standing Committee.
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