Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/11/2003 03:30 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SCR 1-SUPPORT ROADS/HOT SPRINGS LOOP ROAD
SENATOR GARY WILKEN, bill sponsor, explained the resolution was
about more than just building a road. He used a map to show
members the Steese Highway leading northeast from Fairbanks 130
miles to Central and Circle Hot Springs and the Chena Hot
Springs Road leading east from Fairbanks about 60 miles to the
Chena Hot Springs. Both hot springs are well developed and
provide Alaskans and Alaska visitors a great deal of pleasure.
To him this is an obvious loop road and the resolution supports
looking at the feasibility of connecting the two. There are RS
2477 rights of way that have yet to be identified.
This is the first time in the seven years he has been a
legislator that there has been support for building roads. There
are many roads around the state that individuals are asking this
legislature to support. SCR 1 is the vehicle for the legislature
to express their support to the Governor for building roads for
economic development in Alaska.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if there are any obvious engineering,
construction or geologic difficulties associated with connecting
the two roads.
SENATOR WILKEN wasn't aware of any such difficulties. The Steese
National Conservation Area lies between the hot springs so the
road would have to go through or around that area. The area was
studied in the 1980s but the study has not been located.
CHAIR TAYLOR asked what the length of the road would be.
SENATOR WILKEN replied it would depend on the route, but as the
crow flies, it would be about 40 miles.
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked if both hot springs are in the North Star
Borough.
SENATOR WILKEN said just the Chena Hot Springs is in the North
Star Borough.
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked whether the North Star Borough supports
the resolution.
SENATOR WILKEN replied he had every indication the assembly will
support the resolution, but they haven't taken it up yet.
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked which borough has jurisdiction over Circle
Hot Springs.
SENATOR WILKEN replied it is in an unorganized area of the
state.
CHAIR TAYLOR asked whether he would oppose an amendment adding
the Bradfield Road.
SENATOR WILKEN did not object.
CHAIR TAYLOR introduced work draft 23-LS0228\H Utermohle 2/11/03
and said he would entertain a motion to adopt the same for
discussion purposes.
SENATOR COWDERY made a motion to adopt amendment 1, work draft
23-LS0228\H Utermohle 2/11/03 for discussion purposes.
There being no objection amendment 1 was adopted.
CHAIR TAYLOR said he didn't have a map, but the purpose of the
amendment is to add that project to the bill. He thought the
bill would grow over time.
He said he would entertain a motion to amend to add the Knik Arm
Crossing.
SENATOR COWDERY made a conceptual motion to include the Knik Arm
Crossing in SCR 1.
There being no objection amendment 2 was adopted.
SENATOR DYSON made a conceptual motion to include the road from
Iliamna Bay to Pile Bay in SCR 1. A pioneer road runs from salt
water on Cook Inlet to the northeast corner of Lake Iliamna
making the river toward Lake Clark and the Kvichak River to
Bristol Bay accessible. That road could be a major link to
developing major gold and other minerals in the area as well as
giving residents an alternative source for freight and fuel
delivery.
CHAIR TAYLOR asked about the length of the road.
SENATOR DYSON replied it was just 15 miles.
There being no objection amendment 3 was adopted.
MAC CARTER, Central, Alaska representative, testified his
community is very enthusiastic in its support of the resolution.
The economic opportunity would foster new business and community
growth. The bill speaks to the need for Alaska to expand its
infrastructure.
SIDE B
4:20 p.m.
CHAIR TAYLOR asked for a motion.
SENATOR COWDERY made a motion to move CSSCR 1 (STA) from
committee with individual recommendations.
There being no objection it was so ordered.
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