Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/11/2003 02:13 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 2-EXTEND RAILROAD TO FT. GREELY/DELTA JUNCTION
FATHER TOM MOFFATT, staff to Representative Bob Lynn, sponsor of
HCR 2, explained HCR 2 is a resolution in support of extending
the Alaska Railroad for approximately 70 miles from North Pole
to the new missile defense site at Fort Greeley. HCR 2 was co-
sponsored by 25 House members. Member packets contain letters of
support from General Pat Gamble, President of the Alaska
Railroad Corporation (ARRC); General Craig Campbell, Alaska
Adjutant General; Debbie Joslin, national committee woman of the
majority party; and former Representative Jeanette James of
North Pole. HCR 2 passed the House with a 37 to 1 vote. An
extension of the railroad would help support and maintain the
missile site, which is critical to national homeland defense and
homeland security in Alaska. The railroad extension would also
help support the mining industry and agricultural operations in
the area and increase economic development from North Pole to
Delta Junction. It also puts the Alaska railroad 70 miles closer
to a connection with the Canadian railway system for an eventual
extension to the Lower 48.
FATHER MOFFATT said because HCR 2 is a resolution, no
appropriations are required by its passage, nor are
environmental studies. HCR 2 does, however, put the Twenty-third
Alaska State Legislature on record in support of a railroad
extension. He pointed out that Governor Murkowski set forth the
rail extension as one of his goals in his state of the state
address on January 23.
MS. WENDY LINDSKOOG, Director of External Affairs, ARRC, stated
support for HCR 2 in its initial form and for the most recent
committee substitute (CS), which expands the scope in terms of
the different types of revenue available to support a railroad
extension: military activities, resource development, and
agriculture.
CHAIR COWDERY asked if other legislation was introduced to
address right-of-way issues.
MS. LINDSKOOG said it has.
SENATOR OLSON asked for a description of the current industry
standards for a railroad right-of-way and what it would be for
the extension.
MR. PAT GAMBLE, Executive Director of ARRC, informed members
that the industry standards are not the measurement that ARRC
wants to use. It wants to use the standard that has been
successful for the Alaska railroad, which is a 200-foot, fee
simple right-of-way plus additional lands that provide for
quarries and maintenance areas. He said this particular corridor
is one quarter of the distance to the Canadian border so it is
being considered as an Alaskan transportation, utility, and
communication corridor, as well as a railroad right-of-way. He
commented, "The determination of the width of that corridor has
to be generous enough to serve several masters here." He said
several discussions have taken place on this subject, including
a discussion on innovative ways to divide the corridor so that
the railroad right-of-way would be within a wider state
corridor. He noted that Alaska's standard 200-foot fee simple
right-of-way has served the railroad well because it allows for
future expansion to build tracks and to make sure that access
across rights-of-way is done with proper attention to safety
issues.
SENATOR OLSON said his understanding is that the anticipated
right-of-way for a major portion of the corridor is 200 feet,
but there will be a combination right-of-way for other portions.
He asked how wide the combination right-of-way would be.
MR. GAMBLE said he has heard a width range from 200 feet to one-
quarter mile. However, 500 feet is the number that is most
frequently used for the corridor itself. He said he believes the
width of the corridor will be controlled, to some degree, by the
terrain.
SENATOR OLSON noted that one-quarter mile is 1,300 feet wide.
MR. GAMBLE said ARRC is not saying it needs a one-quarter mile
corridor. The need for the corridor itself is a state need to
accommodate transportation, a pipeline, fiber optic cable, and
underground communication systems.
SENATOR OLSON asked whether the impacted communities commented
and what their positions are. He pointed out he didn't see a
letter of support from Delta Junction.
MR. GAMBLE said ARRC has received no correspondence from any of
the impacted communities.
SENATOR OLSON asked Father Moffatt to address that question.
FATHER MOFFATT told members that Representative Lynn's office
has had contact with those communities through Representative
Harris, who represents the impacted communities. He said the
communities support the proposal, although they have not stated
their positions in writing.
SENATOR OLSON asked if the military submitted a written position
on SCS CSHCR 2(CRA).
FATHER MOFFATT said that Adjutant General Campbell has testified
in support of the resolution at all previous committee hearings.
SENATOR OLSON noted Adjutant General Campbell is affiliated with
a state department, not the federal government. He said he was
looking for a letter from the person in charge of the military
bases.
FATHER MOFFATT said Representative Lynn has been in contact with
the cantonment commander who indicated the extension would be
beneficial, but that commander is a field grade officer. He
pointed out that by the time the railroad extension is
completed, the heavy construction of the missile site would be
completed. The Department of Defense has no objection and would
not normally lobby for such things.
CHAIR COWDERY pointed out this is a resolution to show unified
support of a railroad extension so it is conceptual.
SENATOR OLSON said he wondered why the committee has not
received any documentation in support of the resolution from the
entities that will be impacted.
CHAIR COWDERY said that documentation would come forward with a
railroad bill.
SENATOR OLSON stated, "I find it interesting that it comes from
a representative that doesn't necessarily represent that area."
FATHER MOFFATT pointed out that Representative Lynn has a strong
military background and is the chair of the House Committee on
Military and Veterans Affairs.
CHAIR COWDERY said that although the voters of a specific
district elect legislators, they represent the entire state.
2:30 p.m.
SENATOR OLSON said the railroad has operated "in the black" in
the past and he wondered how this extension might impact the
railroad operations in general in regard to profitability.
MR. GAMBLE said that question is uppermost on ARRC's mind. ARRC
does not have all of the answers it needs from the military to
determine what level of support would be required. For example,
would mail support for contractors and the National Guard be
necessary? Other supports have not been considered yet and may
provide additional revenue opportunities for the railroad to pay
for the operations and maintenance of the line. He pointed out
the capital costs are extensive. He added that he is not aware
of the costs associated with building the military base or
expanding existing bases and believes those subjects are ripe
for further discussion and analysis.
CHAIR COWDERY took public testimony.
MR. JAMES SNYDER told members he has watched booms, busts and
boondoggles as a Fairbanks resident since 1959 and he considers
the railroad extension to be a boondoggle. He does not believe
any railroad has run in the black in North America since 1950.
He said a railroad extension through Canada would affect the
trucking and barge industries in Alaska. He believes the state
should not compete with private industry, which has invested
millions in this state. He said the U. S. Department of Defense
should build the rail extension if it wants one.
CHAIR COWDERY pointed out this legislation is a resolution and
has no cost associated with it. He then announced that Senator
Wagoner joined the committee some time ago.
SENATOR WAGONER moved SCS CSHCR 2(CRA) from committee with
individual recommendations. Without objection, the motion
carried.
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