Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/04/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB176 | |
SB28 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | HB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 249 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 176(RES) "An Act creating the Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historical Park." 9:14:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, Sponsor, presented HB 176. The legislation would establish Fort Rousseo Causeway State Historical Park. The area is currently managed under the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF). The legislation would transfer management to the Department of Natural Resources. In the build up for WWII, the Department of the Defense constructed fortifications at several locations encircling Sitka Sound. An 8,000 foot rock and gravel road was built connecting several small islands west of the then Navy's Sea Plane and Operating Base in Sitka. This causeway terminated at the Army's command headquarters named Fort Rousseau on Makhnati Island The causeway has been added to the National Register of Historic places and designated a landmark by the National Park Service. To rehabilitate the Causeway, Sitka Trail Works has received federal and state grants, but cannot continue to proceed until the land is transferred to the Department of Natural Resources. Co-Chair Stedman asked for more information regarding General Rousseo. CLIFF STONE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WILSON, explained that Rousseo was a brigadier general commissioned to accept Alaska on behalf of the United States on October 18, 1867. He also served 2 years in the United States House of Representatives and was buried in Arlington cemetery as a hero of the Civil War. Co-Chair Hoffman, referencing fiscal note #2, asked if the $14.5 thousand for personal services reflects costs for existing personnel or a new employee. Mr. Stone understood that the fiscal note represented additional costs for existing personnel. MICHAEL EBERHARDT, SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTHEAST, DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION, explained that the fiscal note represents additional funds for the existing park specialist position. The funds will be used for hiring additional seasonal employees to take over some of the more menial tasks in order for the park specialist to attend to needs of the Causeway. Representative Wilson explained that there is a business plan for the Park. The plan indicates that modest tourism dollars would net approximately $12,000.00 a year. As the program grows, a projected $20,000 would be available for the General Fund. Co-Chair Stedman asked how the Park is accessed. Representative Wilson said the area is accessible by boat. Co-Chair Stedman asked why the area is not accessible by car. Representative Wilson explained that the area is closed off to traffic due to its proximity to the airport. 9:21:27 AM Co-Chair Hoffman said there is no representation of contributions to the General Fund reflected in the fiscal note. Mr. Eberhardt responded that the Department has not been involved with the private entity that authored the business plan since the area is not currently a state park. He had seen the numbers and agreed with them, but could not verify them. Co-Chair Stedman provided some history of the site and observed that the Causeway is in front of Japonski Island. He explained that there is a plan to put in a small dock to encourage the visitor industry to bring tourists in to visit the site. He further explained that considerable clean up is necessary, which requires addressing concerns regarding native historical sites. Senator Thomas asked if there was a connection between Japonski Island and the mainland. Co-Chair Stedman explained that a causeway was built by the military to bring equipment and artillery out to Japonski Island. Senator Thomas asked if there was any connection to the mainland from Japonski Island. Co-Chair Stedman said Japonski Island is connected by the John W. O'Connell Bridge. Senator Thomas asked why the vehicle traffic had been cutoff. Co-Chair Stedman explained that vehicle access was cut off when the airport was built. 9:25:20 AM HARVEY BRANDT, SELF, SITKA, testified via teleconference, a retired teacher and park ranger testified in support of HB 176. He provided some history of the Park, highlighting that some of the 150,000 young men and women who came to Alaska in WWII returned to make Alaska their home. He further pointed out the importance of the Tlingit Native history within the Park. He felt the establishment of the Park would promote and develop tourism in Sitka. DEBORAH LYONS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SITKA TRAIL WORKS, testified via teleconference, in support of HB 176. The organization is in support of placing the management of the Causeway with the Division of Parks. Her organization has funds to continue to restore and renovate facilities. In answer to a question asked earlier regarding the business plan, she said numbers are based on comparisons of the existing tour company Sitka Bike and Hike. She informed the Committee that, in 2005, the company reported 4000 tours. In 2007, they reported an increase to 6000 tours. With that amount of visitors, she maintained that the revenue from tourism could pay for the Park's operation and supervision of the Causeway. MARLENE CAMPBELL, CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD, SITKA, testified via teleconference, in support of HB 176. She said citizens had worked for over two decades to get the Causeway into safe care to permit the public to access and enjoy the islands. She explained that the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities supports the transition to Park Management, which would allow for a plan to move forward. She maintained that the project is revenue positive and has the support of tourism companies and the community. She further noted that Sitka Trail Works has received significant federal funds to clean up and restore the area. 9:34:46 AM Co-Chair Stedman said the project provides the opportunity for state parks to be revenue positive rather than a cash consumer. Senator Olson asked if any wild life concerns had been addressed with regards to the project. Mr. Eberhardt clarified that a study regarding wildlife had not been done, since there are no plans for construction. He explained that the area is primarily used for picnicking and camping. 9:37:07 AM Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 176 (RES) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 176(RES) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and fiscal note #2 by the Department of Natural Resources. AT EASE: 9:37:45 AM RECONVEINE: 9:42:36 AM
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