Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/27/1995 03:36 PM Senate RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SRES - 2/27/95
SB 93 DISPOSAL OF LAND ALONG THE DALTON HWY
CHAIRMAN LEMAN brought up SB 93 as the next order of business
before the Senate Resources Committee. The chairman called the
first witness.
Number 545
SENATOR MILLER, prime sponsor of SB 93, read the sponsor statement
for the bill. Senator Miller noted the existence of a proposed
committee substitute, which would add the proper legal descriptions
to the bill.
Number 529
SENATOR HALFORD moved the adoption of the committee substitute for
SB 93.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN, hearing no objection, stated that the committee
substitute had been adopted.
Number 527
SENATOR HALFORD asked Senator Miller where people who work in these
places would live, if the land will be non-residential. Would a
person have to commute from Fairbanks?
SENATOR MILLER does not believe that would be the case; however,
Mr. Swanson could give a better answer to that question.
Number 521
SENATOR TAYLOR suggested amending SB 93 by taking out the word
"non." Anyone who wanted to live out there could just buy a piece
of land from the state.
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked Senator Miller how much land SB 93 would
encompass.
SENATOR MILLER responded Mr. Swanson would be better prepared to
answer that question.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN confirmed with Senator Miller that the changes in
the committee substitute were just legal description corrections.
Number 510
RON SWANSON, Director, Division of Land, Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), stated about 30,000 acres have been identified
within the development nodes; the state does not own all those
lands. Before any activity could occur on those lands, we would
have to go through a land-use planning process. At this point, the
main concern is being able to provide essential traveler services
along the Haul Road.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked Mr. Swanson what is meant by the term "non-
residential."
MR. SWANSON replied the intent is that the state not create a
subdivision; then we would have to create the schools and the
infrastructure. Certainly people could live within that existing
facility.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN asked what the responsibility of the State of Alaska
would be if there were eight or more children living in an area.
Number 492
SENATOR FRANK stated the idea is not to sponsor a state land
disposal for residential purposes. Senator Frank asked Mr.
Swanson's position on SB 93.
MR. SWANSON answered, "Mr. Chairman, Senator Frank, it is, to
provide those essential services."
Number 482
JOE LEVESQUE, Attorney North Slope Borough (NSB), testifying from
Barrow, commented the bill is moving forward very fast. He stated
the Dalton Highway Coordinating Committee is proceeding in a
prudent manner on the same subject. NSB thinks SB 93 would be best
served if action on the bill was suspended until the findings of
the Dalton Highway Coordinating Committee are complete. Mr.
Levesque contends the state is unable to protect the resources and
the citizens along the Haul Road corridor.
Number 450
STANLEY NED, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), testifying from
Fairbanks, stated TCC is opposed to the Dalton Highway... because
of the affect on subsistence lifestyles. (Teleconference
transmission is very difficult to understand). Mr. Ned stated TCC
is opposed to SB 93.
Number 435
DAVE LACEY, Yukon River Tours, testifying from Fairbanks, does not
see a need for SB 93. He is also concerned that there has been no
input from local residents. He asked why the bill is being
sponsored by a legislator who is not from the affected area, and
thinks SB 93 is another unfunded mandate. Mr. Lacey believes the
state needs another large wilderness attraction, and perhaps the
Haul Road could be turned into something like that. He thinks SB
93 would cause strip development and therefore harm the tourism
potential of the area.
Number 405
SENATOR TAYLOR asked Mr. Lacey if he believes his business will be
adversely affected by SB 93.
MR. LACEY responded his business will be affected.
Number 390
BILL ROBERTSON, Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, testifying from
Fairbanks, stated he is speaking in favor of SB 93. Mr. Robertson
asserted that development planning for the area affected by SB 93
has been occurring for many years, and that the type of development
being planned is node development, not strip development.
Number 347
SARA HANNAN, Alaska Environmental Lobby, stated the lobby is
opposed to SB 93. Ms. Hannan submitted written testimony to the
committee. Ms. Hannan asserted that if the state allows for
private ownership of lands, there is an obligation to protect that
property: additional troopers, fish & wildlife protection officers,
and additional schools will be needed. She also believes the more
private property there is in that area, the more difficult it will
be for the Trans-Alaska Gasline Corporation to build their gasline.
Number 319
SENATOR FRANK emphasized his belief that there is a big distinction
between opening land for general residential purposes, which
carries great fiscal ramifications, and opening nodes for provision
of essential services, which he does not think would have great
fiscal ramifications.
Surprise is expressed by several committee members that the Alaska
Environmental Lobby is advising the legislature on budgetary
matters, health & safety concerns, and gas-line development.
MS. HANNAN responded that the lobby does spend a lot of time in
coordination with resource developers. She does not think anyone
could find anything saying the Alaska Environmental Lobby is
opposed to development of Alaska resources. The lobby urges
cautious, responsible development. Ms. Hannan also believes the
State of Alaska has an obligation to educate Alaska's children; if
there are eight or more children, the state has an obligation to
provide a school and education services to those children.
Number 294
SENATOR TAYLOR asks Ms. Hannan if the Alaska Environmental Lobby is
opposed to the transfer of state land to private ownership.
MS. HANNAN states the lobby is opposed to it in this instance,
largely because member groups of the lobby from that area are
already working on the issue through the Dalton Highway Study, and
don't feel they have had a say in this process. Opposition is
often mitigated by bringing people together to talk about the
issue.
Number 278
SENATOR FRANK confirmed with Ms. Hannan that the Alaska
Environmental Lobby is not opposed to SB 93 for environmental
reasons.
SENATOR HALFORD moved to discharge SB 93 from the Senate Resources
Committee with individual recommendations.
SENATOR HOFFMAN objected to the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN called for a vote on the motion.
The motion passed. Voting in favor of the motion were Senators
Leman, Frank, Halford, and Taylor. Voting in opposition to the
motion was Senator Hoffman. Senators Pearce and Lincoln were not
present.
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