Legislature(2009 - 2010)BARNES 124
03/30/2010 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Community Services Block Grant | |
| HCR22 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HCR 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 30, 2010
8:06 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron, Co-Chair
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz, Co-Chair
Representative John Harris
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Charisse Millett
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
- HEARD
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22
Establishing and relating to the Alaska Northern Waters Task
Force.
- MOVED CSHCR 22(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 22
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA NORTHERN WATERS TASK FORCE
SPONSOR(s): COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
03/24/10 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/24/10 (H) CRA, FIN
03/30/10 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
JILL DAVIS, Grants Supervisor
Fairbanks Office
Division of Community & Regional Affairs
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the Community
Services Block Grant program.
SARAH SCANLAN, Deputy Director
RurAL Cap
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of RurAL CAP and its
CSBG-supported programs.
DAVID HARDENBERGH, Executive Director
RurAL CAP
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During overview of CSBG and RurAL CAP,
answered questions.
ELIZABETH HENSLEY, Staff
Representative Reggie Joule
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HCR 22.
REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HCR 22.
CHRISTINE HESS, Staff
Representative Reggie Joule
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HCR 22, answered
questions.
TRACY FOSTER, Executive Director
Alaska House
New York, New York
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HCR 22, testified in
support of the proposed task force.
MEAD TREADWELL, Chair
U.S. Arctic Research Commission
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Endorsed HCR 22.
BILL NOLL, Owner
Major International LLC
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 22.
DENISE MICHELS, Mayor
City of Nome
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 22.
TOM OKLEASIK, Planning Director
Northwest Arctic Borough
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 22.
BOBBY SCHAEFER, Public Services Director
Northwest Arctic Borough
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 22.
KATIE BALDWIN
Alaska House
New York, New York
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HCR 22, related support
for the proposed task force.
ANDERW MACK, Assistant
Office of the Mayor
North Slope Borough
Barrow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 22.
REPRESENTATIVE ALAN AUSTERMAN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCR 22.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:06:49 AM
CO-CHAIR CATHY ENGSTROM MUNOZ called the House Community and
Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:06
a.m. Representatives Munoz, Herron, Harris, Keller, and Gardner
were present at the call to order. Representative Cissna
arrived as the meeting was in progress. Also in attendance was
Representative N. Foster.
^Overview: Community Services Block Grant
Overview: Community Services Block Grant
8:07:22 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the first order of business would
be an overview of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).
She explained that in order for RurAL CAP to receive federal
funding in the anticipated amount of $2.7 million, it's
necessary to have a public hearing before the legislature.
8:08:04 AM
JILL DAVIS, Grants Supervisor, Fairbanks Office, Division of
Community & Regional Affairs, Department of Commerce, Community,
& Economic Development, paraphrased from the following written
testimony [original punctuation provided]:
Thank you, Co-Chairs and other members of the
Community and Regional Affairs Committee.
I am pleased to participate in this hearing concerning
the Draft State Plan for the Community Services Block
Grant Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2011.
The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development would like to accept comments from the
public on the proposed use and distribution of these
funds.
Community Services Block Grant funds are allocated to
the Department from the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. We get a yearly allocation, of which
the state is authorized to keep a maximum of 5% of the
funds to cover administrative costs. The balance is
made available to RurAL CAP.
The purpose of the Community Services Block Grant is
to impact the causes and conditions of poverty. The
Draft State Plan, on which we are accepting comment
today, outlines how the Department administers the
CSBG program and the activities which RurAL CAP
proposes to undertake during fiscal year 2011.
Because the State Plan is lengthy, I will briefly
outline the major components which the Department and
RurAL CAP have identified for the program.
RurAL CAP will utilize CSBG funds to serve low-income
people throughout the State in several program
components. These include Administrative Services;
Anchorage Services; Child Development; Community
Development; Rural Housing and Planning; and Public
Policy and Advocacy. Each of these components are
described in detail in the State Plan.
The Administrative Services component ultimately
increases the agency's capacity to achieve results by
broadening the resource base. It does this by
providing agency-wide fund development, public
information and research services, database management
of partners and potential supporters, as well as
agency planning, opportunities for staff development,
and program evaluation. Funds are used to build the
capacity of the agency to better develop, manage and
evaluate the direct services which lead to measurable
results of program customers moving out of poverty
into self-sufficiency.
The Anchorage Services Division component provides
emergency services to the chronic, public inebriate,
homeless population of Anchorage. In addition, the
Anchorage Services Division provides affordable
housing to low-income people in Anchorage and
graduates of transitional housing programs, such as
Homeward Bound. It does this by collaborating with the
network of housing and alcohol treatment service
providers and building and maintaining strong
partnerships and linkages.
Within the Child Development Division are the rural
Head Start and Early Head Start programs, the Child
Development Center, and the Parents as Teachers
Program. The Child Development Division operates
under strict federal and state regulations and
guidelines which require a well trained staff and
close monitoring of its programs. Their outcomes for
improvements in child health, school readiness, and
parenting and family functioning are achieved through
ongoing higher education requirements for the
classroom and childcare staff, through capacity
building with parents and families, and participation
on local Parent Committees and Councils and Advisory
Boards.
Within the Community Development Division are four
national service programs, wellness programs, the
Rural Providers' Conference and environmental action.
Cooperative relationships are established with
regional and village organizations, rural councils and
other community-based organizations to place the
locally hired Members who, through their host
organizations, identify the community's needs to their
projects. Opportunities for youth involvement are
increased, and the overall well-being of the community
is improved by the identified projects. Additionally,
capacity is maintained beyond the program year for
these local hires who learn new skills through in-
depth training and service.
The Rural Housing and Planning Division provides a
full-range of construction, rehabilitation and
planning services. Funds will be used to expand the
range of technical assistance and direct services
provided to rural housing entities to increase their
capacity to conduct local needs assessments, planning,
rehabilitation and new construction for their own low-
income housing customers. The division also maintains
oversight of RurAL CAP's Weatherization, Fee-For-
Service Housing Rehabilitation, Self-Help Housing, and
Community Planning programs. It is able to do this by
brokering partnerships among various agencies and
villages to maximize leveraging of funds. Through
these collaborations the Division maintains an ongoing
collection of needs assessment information to improve
its quality and accuracy.
The Public Policy and Advocacy component's focus is on
expanding the number of organizations the agency works
with for the purpose of increasing resources and
opportunities for individuals, families, and
communities. It provides opportunities for target
area Board members to share information on the status
of their constituents along with opportunities to
learn about best practices, provides public
information and education on issues which affect low-
income people in Alaska. These issues are directly
related to the use of traditional, sustainable natural
resources through hunting, fishing and gathering as
well as issues affecting tribal government and the
ability of remote rural communities to become more
self-sufficient. This component provides
opportunities for low-income people to advocate on
their own behalf. It also includes the production of
the Village Voices newsletter. It is through these
efforts to create an understanding by others of the
situations in Alaska's communities that RurAL CAP
increases opportunities for low-income people.
8:15:15 AM
Also included in this year's Plan are Outcome Measures
for each of the program components. Program results
are tracked and reported on a quarterly basis in terms
of the number of clients who achieve a given
milestone. Progress is reviewed by staff who use it
to evaluate results and make changes when necessary.
Both the Department and RurAL CAP place a strong
emphasis on promoting maximum participation by rural
people in the elimination of the causes and conditions
of poverty. I have personally worked with RurAL CAP
in the delivery of CSBG programs for over 8 years.
They have demonstrated a sincere interest in helping
low income Alaskans and are recognized nationally as a
leader in providing not only innovative programs which
meet the needs of their clientele, but also in
developing exemplary Outcome Measures. They are to be
commended for their hard work and their success.
Thank you for your interest in the Community Services
Block Grant program. Again, our purpose today is to
educate the public about the program and to accept
comment on the proposed use and distribution of funds.
8:16:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA expressed interest in strengthening
communities, many of which are working on renewable energy
programs. With regard to renewable energy, she opined that the
state hasn't put in place financial help to grow ideas to the
point of reaching a market and trading.
MS. DAVIS related her understanding that [the department] has
been weatherizing homes in 19 communities. The residents are
taught the energy efficiency measures that can be done in their
own homes, which result in savings.
8:18:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA clarified that she is referring to the
commercial side. She said there are some potential commercial
efforts, but no piece to further the process. She mentioned
Ruby as an example of where [commercial efforts are proceeding]
due to the help of a grant program from the Tanana Chiefs.
MS. DAVIS responded that she wasn't aware of such in the [CSBG]
program. However, within the Division of Community & Regional
Affairs there are other grant programs that are capital
projects. There is help provided through legislative grants.
In fact, there are wind turbine projects, but those projects
wouldn't necessarily fall under CSBG.
8:19:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS related his understanding that the federal
government will give [CSBG] $2.6 million. Of the various areas
in which the funds will be parsed, $660,000 is allocated for
administrative services. He inquired as to what is accomplished
in administrative services.
MS. DAVIS explained that the funds go to RurAL Cap in Anchorage,
which administers the program. Those funds are used to advocate
with other agencies and build partnerships to run the programs.
8:20:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS surmised then that the $660,000 goes to
pay salaries. He then recalled Representative Cissna's comments
advocating for renewable energy projects that provide
sustainable jobs in rural Alaska. He expressed concern that the
$660,000 for administrative services pays for employees in
Anchorage and the money never funnels out to rural Alaska.
MS. DAVIS reiterated that RurAL CAP acts as the entity that
gathers information and performs the partnership in the various
communities throughout the state. In further response to
Representative Harris, Ms. Davis confirmed that RurAL CAP
employs people who live in rural communities throughout the
state and those employees are providing services in those rural
communities.
8:22:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS inquired as to how many Alaska Native
shareholders are employed through these funds.
MS. DAVIS deferred to RurAL Cap representatives for that
information.
8:23:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER recalled that Ms. Davis had said that 5
percent [of the funds] are allocated for administrative costs.
MS. DAVIS clarified that those funds are for state
administrative costs. The state can use that 5 percent and the
remaining funds go to RurAL CAP.
8:23:22 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ inquired as to what portion of the $670,000 for
the Child Development Division funds goes toward the Parents as
Teacher (PAT) program.
MS. DAVIS said she didn't know, but directed attention to the
budget sheets in the back of the booklet for that information.
8:24:03 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ asked if the PAT money is the same amount
requested or funded in the past.
MS. DAVIS replied that it's probably very close to the same
amount. She opined that the budget amounts didn't change much
percentage wise.
8:24:43 AM
SARAH SCANLAN, Deputy Director, RurAL Cap, paraphrased from the
following prepared statement [original punctuation provided]:
Good morning Co-Chairs Herron and Munoz, and members
of the CRA committee. My name is Sarah Scanlan. I am
the Deputy Director of the Rural Alaska Community
Action Program, also known as RurAL CAP. One of my
responsibilities is oversight of the Community
Services Block Grant, the federal funds that come to
the State of Alaska with the goal of reducing poverty
through community-based activities which lead to a
greater degree of self-sufficiency for low-income
people.
Joining me here today is RurAL CAP's Executive
Director, David Hardenbergh.
The CSBG funding comes to the Division of Community
and Regional Affairs of the Alaska Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development and is
administered by Grant Manager Jill Davis. She does an
excellent job handling the day-to-day responsibilities
of the CSBG program including preparing and monitoring
the State Plan.
As the only Community Action Agency in Alaska, RurAL
CAP is the only eligible recipient for 90% of the
state's CSBG funds. In FY 2011, RurAL CAP expects to
receive approximately $2.6 million in CSBG funds to
support programs and services for low-income people.
RurAL CAP is a private, statewide, non-profit
organization with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. It is
one of more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies in
the nation which all work to build self-sufficiency
and empowerment among low-income people who desire to
pull themselves up out of poverty.
RurAL CAP is governed by a 24-member Board of
Directors representing every major region of the
state. The tripartite board is a balance of target
area village representatives, elected public officials
and private sector organizations.
The board meets quarterly, identifies major issues
affecting low-income people and sets agency policy.
The staff implements board policy through an applied
strategic plan and oversight of agency programs and
services.
RurAL CAP will use this core funding from CSBG to
leverage approximately $30 million in other public and
private sector funds to benefit low-income Alaskans.
The agency has roughly 400 regular positions across
Alaska. In FY 2009, with increased Weatherization
activities and temporary hires in Child Development,
RurAL CAP employed a total of 859 people and provided
services in 79 communities across Alaska through Head
Start, Early Head Start, Parents as Teachers,
AmeriCorps, VISTA, Housing, and Weatherization
programs.
As an organization focused on alleviating poverty,
RurAL CAP applies the majority of its resources to
rural communities where poverty rates are typically
three times higher than in urban Alaska. Yet as the
only community action agency in Alaska, and one with a
mandate to serve people statewide, RurAL CAP also
provides:
Head Start services to pre-school children and their
parents in Ketchikan;
Home weatherization to qualifying low-income residents
in Juneau;
Affordable housing opportunities to families in
Anchorage; and
Community planning efforts based out of an office in
Fairbanks.
The State Plan before you today contains detailed
examples of outcome measures for each of RurAL CAP's
CSBG-supported programs. This system of Results
Oriented Management and Accountability, or ROMA, has
received national recognition within the network of
social service and community action agencies as a
model of comprehensive outcome evaluation.
With attention focused on identifying and documenting
measurable changes in the conditions and behaviors of
the people we serve, RurAL CAP's system of program
evaluation and accountability keeps both our human and
financial resources focused on improving the lives of
low-income Alaskans in ways that produce measurable
results.
Here are samplings of the difference we made.
1,569 children were served in 29 communities across
Alaska in Head Start, Early Head Start, Parents as
Teachers, and child care.
During the 2009 program year, we conducted 1,168
developmental screenings through our early childhood
education programs. Through these early detection
screenings we were able to identify if a child had
difficulty with hearing, vision, language, or other
potential learning barriers so that we could provide
them with the services they need before they enter
kindergarten.
During the 2009 fiscal year, 343 low-income households
with 1,319 family members experienced an average of
over 30% savings in their annual energy costs during
the first year after their homes were weatherized. We
have seen savings in the 50+% range in rural Alaska.
Members of our Community Development Division provided
solid waste management assistance to 40 communities.
Ten families in Kenai became home owners through the
Self-Help Housing program.
Our AmeriCorps members organized nearly 3,000
community volunteers who contributed more than 16,000
hours of volunteer service.
We have filled 64 affordable housing apartments in
Mountain View with residents who might otherwise be
homeless.
RurAL CAP strives to be a responsible steward of
public funds. We run some of the most scrutinized
federal and state programs in the nation including
Head Start, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
programs, AmeriCorps, and CSBG. We pride ourselves on
being a grantee in good standing for all of our
programs and services. We place a high value on
getting clean financial and program audits, and we
strive to provide cost-effective services that get
results.
Again I want to thank our grant administrators from
the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development for participating in this hearing and for
your interest in the Community Services Block Grant FY
2011 State Plan.
Thank you.
8:31:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked if there is a piece that links the
private sector and the granting agencies that are working at the
commercial level to build businesses in communities.
MS. SCANLAN related that RurAL CAP does extensive training for
all who are hired. The CSBG funds can't be used for
infrastructure things that can't be taken from a building.
However, RurAL CAP does a great deal of community planning
through which projects the community believes are feasible are
identified. RurAL CAP then assists the communities with
identifying the appropriate funds to realize those projects.
For example, RurAL CAP in partnership with the Denali Commission
and other funds has made good progress with health issues
related to dump sites. With regard to energy projects, she
noted that RurAL CAP is at the table at the various meetings
about infrastructure for energy. However, she pointed out that
RurAL CAP hasn't yet become involved in funding such projects as
wind turbines.
8:34:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA expressed interest in meeting with Ms.
Scanlan to identify where linkages need to be strengthened in
order to ensure DCCED works with its partners in an effective
manner.
MS. SCANLAN acknowledged that rural Alaska struggles with how to
sustain its communities and noted that the organization
discusses that regularly. In fact, RurAL CAP has well over 200
partners throughout the state to develop and connect linkages.
8:36:22 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ restated her earlier question regarding the
amount of funds the Parents as Teachers program receives.
MS. SCANLAN answered that RurAL CAP has had a three-year grant
through the American Native Education program out of the U.S.
Department of Education. Unfortunately, that grant is ending
this year and it's not being offered for competitive bid this
year. Therefore, RurAL CAP will have to eliminate five programs
in five communities. The loss of those programs will impact
about 100 children. RurAL CAP has requested funds to sustain
the aforementioned programs.
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ related her understanding that the budget
includes funds to make up for the loss of federal funds.
MS. SCANLAN agreed, but noted that the funds are currently
billed as Best Beginnings and PAT and thus the Department of
Education and Early Development would receive the funds and
determine how best to distribute the funds.
8:37:54 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON noted that he is the House of Representatives
representative on the RurAL CAP board. He highlighted that
recently RurAL CAP has been in the news regarding safe housing
for inebriates. He requested that Ms. Scanlan explain how such
housing is important to those in Anchorage.
MS. SCANLAN informed the committee that in Anchorage about 78
percent of RurAL CAP's homeless customers are Alaska Natives.
With the influx of [Native Alaskans] into Anchorage, these folks
face many problems. Ms. Scanlan acknowledged that [housing
inebriates] is a controversial issue, but pointed out that it's
a community issue that needs to be addressed. Therefore, RurAL
CAP wants to [move forward with a project that houses
inebriates] while being sensitive to the community. She then
deferred to Mr. Hardenbergh regarding the funding issues.
8:40:29 AM
DAVID HARDENBERGH, Executive Director, RurAL CAP, reminded the
committee that CSBG funds can't be used for any direct capital
projects, while it can be used to RurAL CAP's ability to
leverage other funds. He told the committee that RurAL CAP has
been working with the long-term chronic alcoholic homeless
population since starting the Homeward Bound program based in
Mountain View. About 78 percent of those who have used the
Homeward Bound program, which is a 25-bed facility, are Alaska
Natives from rural Alaska. Although the program targets some of
the hardest to serve of the homeless population, the program can
only get 25 people off the street at any given time. About 10
years ago RurAL CAP started [acquiring] affordable housing
properties for Homeward Bound graduates to move into. Through
the mayor's task force on homelessness, the concept of Housing
First evolved. RurAL CAP pioneered the aforementioned with a
10-unit facility in Mountain View on Park Street. The facility
provides on-site case management support for those coming
straight off the street into housing. This opportunity with Red
Roof Inn with which RurAL CAP proposes to convert into a Housing
First model has received much press because of the concerns of
the Mountain View Community Council as well as the neighboring
businesses and residents. The concern is about concentrating a
48-unit project in an area in Anchorage that offers other
similar social services that draw a similar portion of the
population. For RurAL CAP it's an opportunity to move many
people off the street and into affordable housing that would
cost just over $20,000 a unit for acquisition. Over the past
decade, RurAL CAP has found its average cost per unit for
acquisition of affordable housing properties to be about $50,000
per unit. For new construction for which tax credits are used,
the cost per unit can increase to over $200,000 per unit.
Therefore, the Red Roof Inn was considered a low cost way to
move folks off the street. He clarified that no CSBG funds are
going into this Red Roof Inn affordable housing project. If the
project is funded at all, it would be funded entirely with a
special need housing grant administered by the Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC). RurAL CAP has submitted an
application and the expectation is to hear whether it will be
initially funded by the end of March.
8:44:45 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON thanked Mr. Hardenbergh and his staff for all
the hard work they do.
8:44:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA turned to the out migration of people from
rural Alaska. She related that her district includes an area to
which people come for health reasons. The result is that people
accompany [family members who are present for health reasons]
and they can't afford a place to live. These people end up
living in the surrounding forest. Although many of these people
return home, unfortunately they often return home dead.
Representative Cissna inquired as to what [RurAL CAP] has been
using for its information and whether there are ways to obtain
better information to understand better what is happening.
MS. SCANLAN informed the committee that several recent well-done
reports have been conducted after a year's worth of meetings
held by the Denali Commission, the Institute of Social and
Economic Research (ISER), and the First Alaskans Institute.
Therefore, there is research and information available regarding
the in and out migration. In further response to Representative
Cissna, Ms. Scanlan agreed to make those reports available to
the committee.
8:47:42 AM
MS. SCANLAN responded to Representative Harris' earlier question
regarding RurAL CAP's distribution of payroll throughout the
state. She related that of the 859 RurAL CAP employees in
fiscal year (FY) 09, just under $12 million were actual payroll
funds not including (indisc.) that were paid to these
individuals. She further related that there are 61 employees in
Maniilaq Nana Region, 52 people in the Kawerak Bering Straits
region, 368 employees in (indisc.) Calista region, 8 employees
in the Bristol Bay region, 20 employees in the Kodiak region, 3
employees in the Chugach region, 79 employees in the Tlingit &
Haida Southeast region, 17 employees in the Copper River Atna
region, and 30 employees in the Tanana Chiefs Doyon region. She
noted that she also has the specific amount paid to those
employees for each region. In the Cook Inlet region, which
includes the Kenai Peninsula, there are 221 employees. She
confirmed that amounts to about one-quarter of RurAL CAP's
employees and is the location of the headquarter offices as well
as other offices.
8:50:08 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:50 a.m. to 8:54 a.m.
8:54:05 AM
HCR 22-ALASKA NORTHERN WATERS TASK FORCE
8:54:08 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22, Establishing and relating
to the Alaska Northern Waters Task Force.
8:54:20 AM
ELIZABETH HENSLEY, Staff, Representative Reggie Joule, Alaska
State Legislature, read the following prepared statement into
the record [original punctuation provided]:
HCR 22 creates the Alaska Northern Water Task Force to
facilitate State of Alaska leadership and regional
coordination in the ongoing development of United
States' policies related to the opening of Arctic
waters.
As many of you know, the Arctic is changing. Recent
warming trends are depleting the ice pack by 9% per
decade. NASA has observed that the rate of depletion
is accelerating due to interactions between the ice,
oceans and atmosphere.
The melting of the sea ice is opening waters that were
previously frozen year-round. Already, we have seen:
- increased ship traffic, and it is projected
that the Bering and Chukchi seas will become
major marine highways in the near future
- an unannounced cruise ship docking in Barrow
- possibilities for new fisheries
- increased access to natural resources
- questions of territorial rights
Arctic nations like Norway, Canada, Iceland and Russia
are actively promoting and defending their interests
in increasingly ice-free areas. The U.S. is taking
steps, as well. In your bill packet, you will see
that [U.S.] Senator Begich has introduced 7 pieces of
legislation that deal with the Arctic, and [U.S.]
Senator Murkowski has introduced 2 bills, one of which
relates to crating a deep water port in northern
Alaska. The White House has created 2 task forces
that touch on northern waters issues: the Interagency
Ocean Policy Task Force and the Climate Change
Adaptation Task Force. Finally, international bodies
like the Arctic Council and the Inuit Circumpolar
Council have been working in this area, as well as
Alaska-based [nongovernmental organizations] NGOs like
the Institute of the North.
As the only Arctic state in this nation, Alaska has a
unique role and interest in the development of U.S.
Arctic policy. This bill foresees the creation of a
joint federal/state commission that will guide
interagency and inter-jurisdictional actions in the
Arctic. It provides an opportunity for the
Legislature to take a proactive role in shaping this
commission, and in doing so, ensuring that Alaska's
interests are strongly represented.
8:56:44 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to adopt CSHCR 22, Version 26-LS1622\E,
Cook, 3/26/10, as the working document. There being no
objection, Version E was before the committee.
8:57:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE, Alaska State Legislature, presented
HCR 22. He opined that establishing this task force places the
state in a position to look to and plan for the future.
8:58:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS expressed the need for Alaska to have a
presence in Washington, DC. However, the fiscal note doesn't
include funds to travel to Washington, DC. Therefore, he
proposed including such.
8:59:57 AM
CHRISTINE HESS, Staff, Representative Reggie Joule, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that five meetings of the proposed task
force are planned: two in Anchorage, one in Nome, one in
Kotzebue, and one in Barrow. The fiscal note specifies $10,000
in professional services, which could possibly be used for a
member to travel to Washington, DC, or to an international
meeting.
9:00:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE related that the original fiscal note was
quite a bit higher than the one in the committee packet, but it
was scrubbed. He opined that if the committee feels the need to
include more of a presence where the actual discussions are
occurring then they could [include more funds].
9:01:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS opined, "If we're going to do this, it
needs to have the ability to be in the places where it's going
to make a difference." He said that although he won't suggest
the change in the fiscal note in this committee, he will make an
appearance in the House Finance Committee regarding the proposed
task force having the ability to make a difference. There's no
doubt that the Northern ice cap is decreasing and the area needs
to be prepared for more commercial activity. He also added that
Alaska needs to be involved with the Treaty of the Seas as well.
Representative Harris reiterated the need for the resolution to
have enough financial weight to accomplish [the goal].
9:03:42 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON asked if the elders predicted this.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE replied yes, there are stories that
reference growth. In further response to Co-Chair Herron,
Representative Joule said that there really isn't fear, although
there are concerns regarding the potential for clash.
Therefore, the proposed task force is necessary to bring
awareness to the community rather than have people at a distance
make decisions. The aforementioned is an integral part of the
proposed task force.
9:06:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER surmised that the proposed task force will
pay attention to the formation of the federal, international
commission and ensure that Alaska has a voice in the
discussions. He then inquired as to what Representative Joule
envisions in terms of recommendations that will be brought to
the legislature.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE said he envisioned some entity continuing
beyond the task force. He related his belief that there needs
to be a high level view of what's occurring in general terms in
order to determine what to do and what investments need to be
made investments on the ground. The aforementioned could
include partnerships and workforce preparedness.
9:08:45 AM
TRACY FOSTER, Executive Director, Alaska House, began by
explaining that Alaska House is a nonprofit dedicated to
promoting Alaska's issues and its opportunities. She noted her
agreement with earlier testimony regarding the great need for
the proposed task force. She related her understanding that
there are 30 different federal agencies and committees that work
to regulate oceans policy. At this point, there's no single
state entity that works to coordinate with the federal and local
governments. Therefore, it's imperative to have an entity with
"some legs" and "some budget" to set policy, lead infrastructure
development and planning efforts as well as policy.
9:10:02 AM
MEAD TREADWELL, Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission, began by
relating that he endorses HCR 22. As chair of the U.S. Arctic
Research Commission, he related that the U.S. Arctic Research
Commission has been involved in this issue by funding the U.S.
government's work on the Arctic marine shipping assessment,
which was signed off on by eight Arctic nations last year. In
fact, a number of town meetings were held throughout Alaska.
However, there's no continuing state role with the follow-up
work for the area meriting special attention (AMSA). Just
yesterday, the five foreign ministers of the Arctic Ocean
nations met in Canada where they reiterated interest, just to
name a few, in the following: having a search and rescue
agreement for the Arctic; having better hydrographic work; and
having the international maritime organization set standards for
Arctic ships. He reminded the committee that many of Alaska's
coastal and river villages receive their goods through a tug and
barge system, but pointed out that few have reviewed the new
United Nations standards for Arctic Ocean-going vessels and how
it may impact the cost of living in Alaska. The U.S. Coast
Guard is performing a high-latitude study to determine the type
of equipment it needs in northern Alaska. Again, the state and
the local communities need to be involved in the aforementioned.
The commission is publishing a paper on which the state weighed-
in on heavily regarding obtaining more Arctic oil and ice oil
spill funding. Speaking as a citizen of Alaska and the chair of
the commission, Mr. Treadwell recalled that a few years ago the
legislature funded a study regarding twin ports between Adak and
Iceland. He noted that he has had conversations in Iceland
regarding Alaska and Iceland together as a tender to find out
what shipping companies would support the construction of an
appropriate port at each end for Trans-Arctic shipping. He then
noted that noise issues in the Arctic, in terms of subsistence,
are fairly significant. The insurance industry has said that
without the appropriate ports, ports of refuge, and tug
capacity, the insurance rates won't decrease. Mr. Treadwell
suggested that after the issue is considered through the
proposed task force, Alaska's agenda would be considerable.
There is legislation, the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment
Implementation Act, that has been sponsored by all three members
of the Alaska congressional delegation. This legislation
establishes a federal process that could result in the state
having more involvement, especially if there is an
[organization] that is responsible for following the issue. He
commended the members to read the Arctic Marine Shipping
Assessment Implementation Act. Speaking on behalf of the U.S.
Arctic Research Commission, Mr. Treadwell related that it will
do what it can to support the state's efforts.
9:14:33 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON asked if Alaska, although it's a state, becoming
more involved with the Arctic waters issue heightens the issue.
MR. TREADWELL pointed out that the U.S. [government] has said it
wants to lead in having a safe, secure, and reliable shipping
system. If the aforementioned is done without including Alaska,
it won't occur as well. He opined that many in the
administration and the proposed task force will be able to bring
lots to the table. Furthermore, there are governments around
the world who are ready to set rules. In fact, the European
Parliament held a large debate over the Arctic Northern waters
two weeks ago. However, the Alaska State Legislature hasn't
discussed it very much. Mr. Treadwell opined that it's time for
Alaska to develop its own views. He further opined that others
will listen to Alaska.
9:16:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE interjected that Mr. Treadwell had much to
do with the genesis of this concept [embodied in HCR 22]. He
thanked Mr. Treadwell.
9:17:58 AM
BILL NOLL, Owner, Major International LLC, related his support
for HCR 22. With regard to the earlier budget discussion, Mr.
Noll related that in his experience in international business,
the goal was to establish value prior to the budget. The value
of this resolution is almost incalculable. He reminded the
committee that state waters only extend three miles, beyond
which are national waters and then international waters. At
this point, it's a confusing situation in terms of who is in
control as it has been said that there are 30 agencies
addressing this matter in the federal government and they may
not know they all exist. He likened this [proposed task force]
to the Magnusson-Stevens Act, which established the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) and ultimately
provided a forum where both state and federal officials were
mandated to work together regarding fisheries. He characterized
NPFMC as a huge success in terms of representing Alaskans who
work beyond the three miles of state waters to 200 miles from
shore.
9:21:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS commented that one of the reasons he
supports HCR 22 is it's the state helping itself. He opined
that having 30 different agencies in the federal government
through which one will have to navigate on this issue is
confusing.
9:23:19 AM
DENISE MICHELS, Mayor, City of Nome, related the City of Nome's
support for HCR 22. She told the committee that the City of
Nome has experienced an increase in ocean vessel traffic in both
the Bering Sea and Norton Sound. In 1990, there were 34
dockings in the Port of Nome while at the end of the season last
year there were 301 dockings. In 2008, three vessels traveling
the Northwest Passage stopped in Nome, which increased to four
vessels in 2009. She related the various organizations with
which the City of Nome has tracked or worked on this issue. She
also related that there are three studies regarding ports and
harbors that are being performed. The U.S. Navy is conducting a
two-year study for the deep water port its [constructing]. The
U.S. Coast Guard is performing a high latitudes study. The
Corp. of Engineers and the Department of Transportation are
performing a baseline survey of ports and harbors. During the
process, the question arose regarding who in Alaska is keeping
track of all the studies and groups. Mayor Michels agreed with
earlier testimony that all levels of government needs to be
involved, particularly those at the local level because the laws
and regulations being considered at the national and
international level will directly impact local [Alaskan
communities]. In conclusion, Mayor Michels related that she
looks forward to participating [with this issue].
9:26:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS highlighted that HCR 22 taps the mayor of
Nome to be part of the task force. He asked if she's up to the
task.
MAYOR MICHAELS replied yes.
9:26:36 AM
TOM OKLEASIK, Planning Director, Northwest Arctic Borough,
related the Northwest Arctic Borough's support for HCR 22. He
reminded the committee that Arctic is home to the Inupiaq
people, with interrelations across the region and countries.
Furthermore, the Inupiaq people are closely connected to the
environment. Changing climate and global economic interest
cause the Arctic to be viewed in a new light, particularly in
terms of marine accessibility as well as the exploration and
exploitation of natural resources onshore and offshore. He
opined that in general there's a lack of science and
understanding of the unique Arctic environment. Therefore, the
state and federal policy and permit decisions need to be
cautionary. At this point, any development needs to be done
correctly and in partnership with the Inuit. Mr. Okleasik
pointed out that there are many past mistakes with Arctic
development that need to be acknowledged and from which one can
learn. He highlighted that the Arctic is one of the last
pristine environments in the world, and thus the task force
needs to include indigenous people, including the Eskimo Walrus
Commission, the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, the Nanuk
Commission, and others that would have an important voice in the
process.
MR. OKLEASIK, in the way of background, informed the committee
that both the Northwest Arctic Borough and North Slope Borough
Planning Commissions have held a joint strategic planning
session over the past year. One of the priorities, in
recognition of the Arctic development is to map high use
subsistence use areas and define deferral development areas in
order to achieve balanced development. Both commissions realize
the need to boost their Arctic economies, in terms of both their
cash and subsistence economies. The aforementioned was also
supported by the Arctic Economic Development Summit, which is a
summit in which both boroughs participate. Mr. Okleasik related
that there is recognition of infrastructure needs, including the
development of ports in multiple locations. He then expressed
the need for an energy policy in order that the region can be
energy independent while contributing to the energy needs of the
U.S. At the same, there needs to be wildlife protection to
ensure that the subsistence economy is protected and thrives in
the future. In conclusion, Mr. Okleasik reiterated the
Northwest Arctic Borough's support for HCR 22, but encouraged
amendments to achieve better involvement of the indigenous
people of the Arctic.
9:30:47 AM
BOBBY SCHAEFER, Public Services Director, Northwest Arctic
Borough, began by characterizing HCR 22 as a stepping stone in
the right direction. There is very little scientific data
regarding the Arctic ecosystem. He related that over the course
of the last six to seven years, the Kotzebue IRA has been
tagging the bearded seal to track its movement. The Beluga
Commission has been tagging Beluga whales in order to know the
areas they frequent throughout the year. He explained that he
mentioned the aforementioned tagging in order to relate the
concern for the wildlife. He noted that these are animals upon
which the people in the area utilize to survive. The concern,
he expressed, is that the increased traffic due to the opening
up of the Northwest Arctic passage will impact wildlife.
However, the extent of the impact is unknown, which is why he is
pushing for the work [in the Arctic region] to begin as soon as
possible. Mr. Schaeffer then reiterated support for HCR 22. He
concluded by relating his belief that the Alaska Inuit
Circumpolar Conference should have a representative on the
proposed task force.
9:33:33 AM
KATIE BALDWIN, Alaska House, began by relating that she was
originally from Bethel, Alaska. She then related that Alaska
House, which is a resource to connect Washington, D.C. and
Alaska, recently hosted a discussion on the issues of melting
Arctic ice and increased shipping traffic. She opined that it
has been eye-opening to participate in these discussions. These
shipping routes are opening and without planning ahead, Alaska's
coastlines and people will be taken advantage of. Therefore,
establishing this infrastructure protects the state's
coastlines, monitors the ecological effects, and takes measures
to protect the state's environment. Ms. Baldwin also
characterized this as an opportunity for economic development,
particularly in terms of seasonal work. Therefore, it's in the
best interest of Alaskans to hear about these jobs first and to
be trained to fill the jobs. The aforementioned may mean the
need for training programs, which she opined can't happen
without the proposed Alaska Northern Waters Task Force. In
conclusion, Ms. Baldwin related her support for the proposed
task force.
9:35:27 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON inquired as to what Ms. Baldwin tells people in
New York in terms of describing the impact of opening the
Northern waters.
MS. BALDWIN answered that it begins by describing the [Bethel]
area as it's foreign to [those in the Lower 48]. People are
shocked that Bethel isn't on the road system. She also
expressed the need to discuss the subsistence lifestyle and its
importance to the Yupik people in the area as well as the
importance of non Alaska Natives to be able to live off the
land. She opined that people [in the Lower 48] can relate to
the fact that the area is unique and is part of America's
heritage. She further opined that people [in the Lower 48] are
willing to protect the aforementioned.
9:38:08 AM
ANDERW MACK, Assistant, Office of the Mayor, North Slope
Borough, speaking on behalf of North Slope Borough Mayor Itta,
related that the North Slope Borough shares many of the concerns
expressed in HCR 22. Specifically, the Arctic Ocean ice cap is
rapidly melting and the effects of the aforementioned and other
symptoms of climate change are already being experienced in the
surrounding communities and wildlife populations. For instance,
coast erosion has accelerated, wildlife migration patterns
appear to be changing, and numerous species are migrating into
Northern waters for the first time. Moreover, cruise ship
activities are expected to increase and commercial fishing is
being contemplated in the Northern waters. He characterized the
Arctic as ground zero for climate change.
MR. MACK informed the committee that last week the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service asked the North Slope Borough to join the
Arctic Landscape Conservation Cooperative, which will be a
partnership of federal, state, and local government agencies,
tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and other entities in
Arctic Alaska and Northern Canada. The Arctic Landscape
Conservation Cooperative is part of a larger effort to address
the impacts of climate change called for in Secretarial Order
3289, which was signed by U.S. Secretary Salazar last September.
Additionally, the North Slope Borough holds the position of
chair of the North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI), which
includes federal and state agencies focusing on science needs in
the North Slope. The goal is to provide more effective programs
for developing science in the Arctic. Perhaps most importantly,
is the existence of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force,
which is a program that overlaps with issues identified in HCR
22. Since last summer, the aforementioned task force has been
working to develop a national policy for oceans and coasts. The
Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force traveled to Alaska and took
testimony last August. The task force has issued an interim
report with recommendations on human health, economic interest,
the adaptation to climate change and other environmental
concerns, foreign policy, and homeland security. The task force
is also developing recommendations for a framework for coastal
and marine spatial planning, which is a huge endeavor that could
impact the borough in a significant manner. Therefore, the
borough is spending much time to understand the process. He
noted that the task force is being directed from the White House
and thus he expected that an executive order will be signed and
issued. Mr. Mack stated that these are just three examples of
major initiatives already underway that the task force proposed
in HCR 22 should consider. He reviewed activities by various
other organizations and related that the North Slope Borough is
approached on a regular basis to participate in various efforts
to examine the changing Arctic environment. "We appreciate that
HCR 22 provides a strong local voice. We need the local, state,
and federal agencies to be working together to address these big
issues," he related. In conclusion, Mr. Mack related support
for HCR 22 as the vehicle for the state's voice in the
aforementioned process.
9:43:22 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON asked if the approach by the various
organizations is patronizing.
MR. MACK answered that in some cases it feels as if the
organization wants to include the local communities in the
beginning, but as the process continues it becomes apparent that
people outside of the Arctic and Alaska are driving the process.
At that point, it does feel patronizing. He then highlighted
that the state territorial waters are very limited, whereas
there are far more [waters] controlled by federal regulatory
processes. Therefore, it's imperative that the State of Alaska
take an active role.
9:45:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ALAN AUSTERMAN, Alaska State Legislature, opined
that Alaska is behind on addressing the depletion of the Arctic
ice cap and the issues that will arise with other foreign
countries. Alaska should be involved in what occurs in the
Arctic and the proposed task force is a good step with regard to
what is going on, who is involved, and their plans. Although
the state only has control of three miles of water, the impact
of what occurs in the vast territorial waters is important. He
recalled six to seven years ago when he worked with fisheries in
the Murkowski Administration when there was a shift in fishery
issues such that foreign countries were becoming involved in
fish stocks that seem to be moving. The aforementioned led to
the North Pacific Fisheries Council closing all fishing inside
federal waters until they can get a handle on what the stocks
are and will be doing. In conclusion, Representative Austerman
related his support for HCR 22.
9:48:49 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ, upon determining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony.
9:49:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE thanked the committee for introducing the
resolution and related that he looks forward to moving HCR 22
through the legislative process.
9:50:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS mentioned that there may be some language
issues on page 2, lines 26 through page 3, line 3. He related
his belief that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives won't appoint the following members
to the task force: the U.S. Coast Guard member; the member
representing the state administration; the mayors of the North
Slope Borough, Northwest Arctic Borough, and the City of Nome;
and the U.S. Department of Interior representative. Therefore,
he suggested that the language be modified such that the
appropriate appointing agency is specified.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE agreed to address the necessary language
changes as the resolution moves through the legislative process.
9:51:16 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to report CSHCR 22, Version 26-LS1622\E,
Cook, 3/26/10, out of committee with individual recommendations
and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection,
CSHCR 22(CRA) was reported from the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee.
9:51:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE concluded by relating his appreciation for
the work performed by the staff in his office as well as
Representative Austerman's office.
9:51:54 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 9:52 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HCRA 3.30 - Draft CSBG FFY11 State Plan.pdf |
HCRA 3/30/2010 8:00:00 AM |
CSBG |
| HCR 22 Bill Packet.PDF |
HCRA 3/30/2010 8:00:00 AM |
HCR 22 |
| CS HCR 22 (1622-E).PDF |
HCRA 3/30/2010 8:00:00 AM |
HCR 22 |