Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
01/21/2008 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB176 | |
Mike Williams, Department of Revenue (dor) | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
= | HB 176 | ||
CSHB 176(RES)-CREATE FORT ROUSSEAU CAUSEWAY PARK 3:42:11 PM CHAIR HUGGINS announced CSHB 176(RES) to be up for consideration. REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, sponsor of HB 176, gave the committee an overview of what the bill does. In the build up for WWII, the Department of the Army 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. She said some of the original concrete structures built by the military are still in fair condition. They include a tri-level command post, anti aircraft gun batteries, three ammo magazines and two bunkers. Construction of the Sitka Airport in the late 1960s eliminated pedestrian and vehicle access. The causeway lands, most of which belong to the State of Alaska, remain under management by the as part of the Sitka Airport under the management of Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF). REPRESENTATIVE WILSON said, Sitka Trail Works has received federal and state grants to rehabilitate the causeway, but cannot continue until the land is transferred to the Department of Natural Resources. State Parks can provide the active management with a very small fiscal note. Without this status, there will be no authorization to move ahead with the environmental and cultural resources assessments, planning, interpretation, and rehabilitation of this historic site, thus jeopardizing the considerable grant funds committed to this effort. Since visitors are very eager to tour this WWII site, a positive revenue stream to the general fund should be realized in just a few years. She said the proposed Ft. Rousseau Causeway State Historical Park is small. It contains 58 acres of upland area with a sliver of tidelands large enough for the footprint of a dock. It is consistent with the purpose behind the establishment of parks and in part promotes the growth and development and provides opportunities and enjoyment for the citizens of Sitka as well as visitors. REPRESENTATIVE WILSON said this bridge couples the past with the present. The causeway has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as an historical landmark by the National Parks Service. Preservation of the unique historical features of the Fort Rousseau area will remind all visitors about Alaska's role in WWII and allow for a glimpse into the life of the soldiers who stood ready to defend their country. CHAIR HUGGINS asked if the $16.8 thousand fiscal note was still applicable. REPRESENTATIVE WILSON replied that there is an updated fiscal note of $18.1 thousand. 3:46:27 PM SENATOR STEVENS asked if the department had any plans to install placards with explanations. REPRESENTATIVE WILSON replied yes; the business plan is a very good one. SENATOR STEVENS asked who Mr. Rousseau was. CLIFF STONE, staff for Representative Wilson, explained that Mr. Rousseau was a brigadier general who was commissioned by the president of the United States to accept Alaska from the Russians. 3:48:12 PM SENATOR STEDMAN commented that during WW II Sitka was targeted by the Japanese as the next invasion point in Alaska and the US military built gun emplacements along the causeway and had radar station on Harbor Mountain. The concept is to not only tie in the military heritage of the park, but to also enhance marine- based wildlife viewing. 3:51:01 PM SENATOR STEDMAN moved to pass CSHB 176(RES) from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. There were no objections and it was so ordered.
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