Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
04/02/2019 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR12 | |
| Presentation(s): United States Coast Guard | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 2, 2019
1:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Co-Chair
Representative Adam Wool, Co-Chair
Representative Matt Claman
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Andi Story
Representative Dave Talerico
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Sara Rasmussen
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12
Supporting the completion of the Northern Rail Extension;
supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort
Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the development of critical
Arctic infrastructure.
- HEARD & HELD
PRESENTATION(S): UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 12
SHORT TITLE: NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TALERICO
03/13/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/13/19 (H) MLV, TRA
03/19/19 (H) MLV AT 2:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/19/19 (H) Heard & Held
03/19/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/21/19 (H) MLV AT 2:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/21/19 (H) Moved HJR 12 Out of Committee
03/21/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/22/19 (H) MLV RPT 4DP
03/22/19 (H) DP: RAUSCHER, JACKSON, TARR, LEDOUX
04/02/19 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
THOMAS STUDLER, Staff
Representative Dave Talerico
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered a question during the hearing on
HJR 12, on behalf of Representative Talerico, prime sponsor.
VIKKI JO KENNEDY
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HJR 12.
REAR ADMIRAL MATTHEW BELL, JR.
Seventeenth Coast Guard District
U.S. Coast Guard
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding
the activities of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in Alaska, as
related to the Alaska Marine Highway System.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:02:45 PM
CO-CHAIR ADAM WOOL called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Representatives
Drummond, Claman, Talerico, Story, Stutes, and Wool were present
at the call to order.
HJR 12-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
1:03:27 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12, Supporting the completion of
the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in
defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; and encouraging
the development of critical Arctic infrastructure.
1:03:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO, as prime sponsor, presented HJR 12. He
offered his sponsor statement, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Completing the Northern Rail Extension to Fort Greely
and Delta Junction would support Military operations,
mining, and agricultural in the Interior of Alaska.
In the Act of 1914, the United States Congress
authorized the construction of a railroad in Alaska.
The railroad was to connect one or more open harbors
in Alaska, with the Interior of Alaska, to develop
agricultural and mineral resources of Alaska, and the
settlement of people on public lands therein, to
provide transportation of fuels for the Military,
transporting troops, arms, munitions, the mail, and
other governmental and public uses. Unfortunately,
that dream was never realized.
The Alaska Railroad Transfer Act (ARTA) of 1983, the
U.S. Congress again recognized the importance of the
railroad in providing freight and passenger rail
service to Alaska. Congress also found that
continuation of services and the expansion of those
services are necessary to achieve Federal, State, and
private objectives. The State's continued operation
together with expansion of the railroad constitutes an
appropriate public use of the rail system. Once again,
the dream of expansion was unrealized.
Finally, in 2013, almost one hundred years later, the
Northern rail expansion was proposed by Alaska
Railroad in conjunction with the Department of
Defense, the four phased plan was completed. Phase
one, Crossing the Tanana River, was completed. The
remaining three phases need to be accomplished before
we can realize completion of the Northern rail
expansion.
With the expansion of the Fort Greely missile complex
and expanded training ranges, increased agriculture in
Delta Junction, and increased mining operations in the
area. This resolution supports critical infrastructure
development, national security, economic development,
and natural resource development in the State of
Alaska. The Northern Rail Extension project would
provide essential freight and passenger service to
support transportation and mobility needs of the
region.
This is a project long overdue for Alaska and I ask
for your support for this resolution.
1:06:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO cited AS 42.40.550, which read as
follows:
Sec. 42.40.550. Extension of railroad to Fort
Greely.
The corporation may acquire a transportation corridor
between the existing railroad corridor and Fort
Greely, Alaska, and construct a rail line within the
corridor to provide rail service to the Fort Greely
area and points between. The transportation corridor
may be designated for a use identified under AS
42.40.350(b) and other transportation and utility
uses. The corporation may also acquire land along the
corridor for use as rail land that can be developed
for terminal, station, and maintenance facilities,
switching yards, and any other purposes associated
with the railroad utility corridor.
1:07:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO stated that the Act of 1914 authorized
the U.S. President to construct a thousand miles of rail line.
He estimated that Alaska currently has 467 miles of rail line.
He stated that his request "has a lot to do with national
security." He said that the expansion of infrastructure in Ft.
Greely is significant.
1:08:36 PM
CO-CHAIR STUTES asked what the distance is between Ft. Greely
and the railway's current end.
1:08:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO answered that it is about 70 miles. He
said the railway extends all the way to Eielson Air Force Base
from Fairbanks. A bridge was built across the Tanana River
about four years ago, at an approximate cost of $184 million.
In response to a follow-up question, he said an environmental
impact statement (EIS) process has been done, and a route has
been identified. Phase one is complete, which leaves phases
two-four.
1:10:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN asked how much the railroad between
Fairbanks and Eielson Air Force Base is being used currently.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO offered his understanding that coal
trains travel the route twice a week. Also, jet fuel is
transported to Eielson Air Force Base. In response to follow-up
questions from Representative Claman, he said the estimated cost
per mile to lay tracks can range from $3-$8 million. He
affirmed that the state currently does not have the funds; HJR
12 is request to the federal government, particular to the
Department of Defense (DoD). In regard to a proposed $17
billion project to lay rail from the tar sands in Canada to
Alaska, he said he believes that would just be a connection to
wherever the railway [in Alaska] stopped in Delta. He said he
thinks the $17 billion estimate may be to run the tracks all the
way to Eielson Air Force Base; therefore, "if this was actually
put in there," that amount may be less.
1:13:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND stated that she traveled to Delta last
summer with Representatives Talerico, Tarr, and Rauscher and
Senator Shower on the first legislative farm tour since 1984.
She said that experience showed her that "they could sure use an
alternative form of transportation." She said she would not
wish driving to Southcentral Alaska on the Richardson Highway on
a regular basis on anyone. She said, "I absolutely saw the need
... for this." She expressed disbelief regarding the cost of
the Canada rail proposed, and she asked if 80 miles would be the
total through all phases of the proposed northern rail extension
and at a cost of about $600 million.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO said it would be about $640 million. He
mentioned a map [included in the committee packet], and he
offered his understanding that the location of the right-of-way
was moved to the other side of the Tanana River [to avoid
mountains].
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND observed that the route through Canada,
the "A2A" line, would have 200 of its 1,700 miles in Alaska;
therefore, she concluded that [the northern rail extension]
would take care of about 80 miles of those 200 miles.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO confirmed that is correct.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND stated, "I can be supportive of this."
1:16:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY inquired as to the extent of communication
with property owners of the land and other interested parties.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO responded that most of the extension is
on a military reserve in Tanana Flats; one area of private
property is near Delta Junction and is owned by Ahtna,
Incorporated; and most of the rest of the property is on
government-owned land. In response to a follow-up question, he
said the Alaska Railroad has spoken previously with
representatives of Ahtna, Incorporated, and those discussions
will continue.
1:18:00 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL asked a series of questions about water crossings.
He remarked that if the federal government wanted to put in
"structural money," it would "tie in nicely to the A2A project."
He also asked how missile components are brought to Ft. Greely.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO confirmed that the tracks go over the
newly constructed bridge. He offered his understanding that
"the bridge would cross the Delta River."
1:19:27 PM
THOMAS STUDLER, Staff, Representative David Talerico, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Talerico, prime
sponsor of HJR 12, explained that missiles are brought up by
barge, then taken to Fairbanks by rail, then shipped by truck to
Ft. Greely, where they are reassembled. The addition of the
northern extension of the rail would shave off a couple days in
that shipping process.
1:20:01 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL opened public testimony on HJR 12.
1:20:35 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 1:20 p.m.
1:20:59 PM
VIKKI JO KENNEDY opined that because the sole purpose of the
northern extension of the train will be for federal use, the
federal government - not Alaska - should pay the full cost. She
said Alaska is broke. She said the federal government is
militarizing Alaska and owns 65 percent of the land in Alaska.
She reemphasized that the federal government needs to pay for
all of it, and she stated, "I'm not happy about any of it." She
questioned when the EIS was done.
1:24:07 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL closed public testimony on HJR 12.
CO-CHAIR WOOL noted that HJR 12 had a zero fiscal note. He
said, "It is all federal money, as proposed."
1:24:22 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that HJR 12 was held over.
^PRESENTATION(S): United States Coast Guard
PRESENTATION(S): United States Coast Guard
1:24:31 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that the final order of business would
be a presentation by the United States Coast Guard.
1:24:47 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:24 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.
1:25:50 PM
REAR ADMIRAL MATTHEW BELL, JR., U.S. Coast Guard, said he is
commander of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District; therefore,
all U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) resources in Alaska are under his
purview. He said he would talk about USCG activities in Alaska,
particularly with regard to the Alaska Marine Highway. He said
the marine transportation system in Alaska is vital to national
security. The USCG stands ready to meet challenges, because
national prosperity is closely liked to the maritime community.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL began a PowerPoint presentation [hard copy
included in the committee packet], entitled "U.S. Coast Guard
Seventeenth District Brief." As shown on slide 2 of the
presentation, he said in Alaska there are approximately 2,500
active duty, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary members in the
USCG; with dependents, that number reaches about 3,500. He said
limiting Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) options would
affect USCG members in Alaska, many of whom are in communities
with limited and expensive flight options. Referring to
information on slide 3, he noted that the M/V Columbia had a
fire in June 2018, which impacted the arrival of some USCG
members for up to two weeks.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL, pointing to slide 4, noted that cruise ships
present the highest risk for mass rescue operations in Alaska,
especially in Southeast; a commercial airline crash ranks next.
He said 1.36 million passengers arrive in Alaska on 34 cruise
ships calling to Alaska over 500 times this year alone. He said
the USCG lacks the resources to rescue a large number of
survivors in a timely manner and relies heavily on "vessels of
opportunity" to assist with mass rescue operations. He said
AMHS vessels provide a valuable resource to the USCG because of
their capacity to hold a large number of survivors. He named
recent incidents in Norway, Italy, and Alaska.
1:29:08 PM
REAR ADMIRAL BELL referred to slide 5, which addresses the
Alaska Shield (AkS) Exercise, wherein the USCG conducts a
pelagic strike counter-terrorism exercise in conjunction with
Artic Shield 19 to meet shared preparedness objectives. He said
the exercise tests the USCG's ability to mobilize specialized
forces to Alaska, to respond to a terrorism or homeland security
threat on a vessel. He stated that approximately 70 missile
site radar (MSR) Key West personnel employed small boats and
other equipment from their home base in San Diego, California,
via airlift to Alaska provided by Alaskan Command (ALCOM). He
listed other entities integral to planning as: the City of
Cordova, the State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management, the Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities, AMHS, and other state agencies.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL turned to slide 6 and talked about the
Seventeenth Coast Guard District's Operation Salmon Run 2018,
which was requested by Governor Mike Dunleavy. The purpose of
the operation was to "detect and deter elicit activity on
Alaska's Marine Transportation System, directly supporting
Alaska's 2018 high intensity drug threat area designation." He
said the operation focuses on the Alaska Marine Highway System
and interisland ferry traffic, since illegal drugs are
transported into and throughout Alaska via this mode of
transportation. He said this built on an operation that started
in 2014, and it was done in coordination with District 13.
Operation Salmon Runs were conducted in the ports of Kodiak,
Whitter, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Bellingham. The operations
screened 30 ferry port calls, approximately 3,000 passengers,
over 500 crew members, and over 750 vehicles, resulting in
confiscations, which included 56 grams of heroin, an ounce of
methamphetamines, and almost 2 pounds of noncommercial
marijuana.
1:31:41 PM
REAR ADMIRAL BELL moved on to slide 7, regarding marine
inspections. He stated, "The Coast Guard is responsible for
every piece of the ship, from plans, to installation, to
operation." He said vessels get dry docked annually or twice
every five years; most receive a full-scale annual inspection,
with three additional quarterly inspections to ensure
maintenance and operations are being kept according to the
manual. He said emergency drills and crew knowledge play a
large part in inspections. Any time something breaks, or
someone is hurt, the USCG investigate to find out what happened
and to ensure it does not happen again. The crews of the
vessels all have USCG merchant mariner licenses.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL brought attention to slide 8, entitled
"Terminal Safety and Security." He said the Marine
Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) put considerable
responsibility for the safe and secure operations of passenger
terminals on the operators, who are required to ensure training,
operations, plans, communication, and access control that
provide safe operations of terminals. He related that terminals
and ships have "similar sets of security rules that overlap to
ensure harmonized efforts" to protect both the ship and the
terminal. He said the USCG ensures that all plans and aspects
of operations encompass MTSA in its entirety. The plan is
reviewed and must be approved by the captain of the port, and
compliance is demonstrated through an annual inspection and
random spot checks throughout the year.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL offered to take questions from the committee.
1:33:48 PM
CO-CHAIR STUTES stated that being from Kodiak, Alaska, which has
the largest USCG base, as well as a huge fishing fleet, she
"doubly" appreciates what the USCG does. She asked Rear Admiral
Bell how large a part he thinks the Alaska Marine Highway System
plays in bringing his staff to and from Kodiak.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL answered that approximately 1,500 [USCG
members] live on Kodiak Island, and of those, roughly 600-800 of
them are rotating on or off the island. A good portion of those
will use a commercial shipping company for their vehicles and
will fly in themselves; a smaller portion will take AMHS the
entire way; and some will drive to Whittier or Homer and then
take AMHS the rest of the way. He said, "So, the actual numbers
vary from year to year. Last year I think the numbers were
300." In response to a follow-up question, he indicated that
folks transferring to USCG stations in Southeast Alaska rely
more on AMHS, because it is a shorter route from Bellingham,
Washington, to Southeast Alaska than it is from that starting
point to Kodiak, Alaska. In response to a further question, he
confirmed that during his presentation, he had stated that AMHS
is integral to search and rescue missions.
1:37:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether Rear Admiral Bell had
communicated to Governor Dunleavy the importance of AMHS to the
USCG's search and rescue efforts.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL answered that he had not. In response to
follow-up questions, he said he has made requests to meet with
the governor.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY indicated that her question about
communications would include Commissioner John MacKinnon of the
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF).
1:38:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked for a definition of "PCS," as
shown on slide 2 of the presentation.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL said it stands for "permanent change in
station." He noted that he does not track those members who use
AMHS on a day-to-day basis for personal travel. In response to
follow-up questions, he confirmed that the USCG spends
approximately $500,000 annually toward PCS. Regarding the use
of the phrase "organic high capacity vessels," on slide 4, he
explained that means the USCG does not have any vessels with
such high capacity [as the AMHS].
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND shared that the Norwegian Bliss, with a
capacity of 6,000 guests and crew, came to Southeast Alaska last
year. She remarked that even with the largest marine vessel,
that would take many trips to load all the passengers to safety
in an emergency.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL said he would get back to the committee with
the number of people that have been rescued via the AMHS helping
out the USCG. He said, "That type of assistance occurs
routinely."
1:42:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN asked whether USCG has the ability to
demand a vessel come to assistance, but it does not have that
authority with cruise ships.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL answered that is correct. To a follow-up
question, he said he would have to get back to the committee
regarding "actual authorities." He said USCG runs a program
called "Amver," through which it asks for assistance from
industry on a volunteer basis.
1:43:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked about USCG requirements for crew
numbers aboard the AMHS.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL answered that the requirements are based on
the length of the vessel, how many passengers will be carried,
and what type of cargo will be on board. He said he could get
those numbers for Representative Story.
1:44:29 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL noted there was no mention in the presentation of
the terminal in Valdez.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL confirmed the USCG has a presence there. He
pointed out that the presentation today was focused on the USCG
as it relates to AMHS. He offered some information regarding
USCG's involvement in Valdez and Prince William Sound. He
confirmed there is a ferry terminal in Valdez, but there are no
cruise ships.
1:46:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND shared that she had witnessed the spill
cleanup practice drill in Whittier last summer, along with
Representative Josephson. The AMHS ferries were not discussed,
but she offered her understanding that the M/V Kennicott had
been designed to assist with spill cleanup.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL responded that USCG partners with the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for spill
response. He said the USCG has "staged equipment" in a number
of communities, and it would look for commercial transportation
to bring that equipment out to where it was needed, and that
could include the AMHS vessels. He said, "I believe that's the
connection to the Alaska Marine Highway to do that, but you'd
need the ability to get it off the ferry when it gets there."
He said "vessels of opportunity" is the term USCG uses for those
vessels it would hire to help with spill cleanup. That could
mean fishing vessels or AMHS vessels.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND offered her understanding that there
were 400 to 500 vessels available for assistance.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL added that [their locations] range from
Valdez, to Cordova, to Kodiak.
1:49:18 PM
CO-CHAIR STUTES expressed her gratitude for the members of the
USCG.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL expressed his thanks and noted that most USCG
members love what they do and appreciate getting to live in
Alaska.
1:49:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY shared her appreciation for USCG.
1:50:22 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL noted he had toured the bases in Kodiak last year
with Representative Stutes.
REAR ADMIRAL BELL briefly outlined the operations in Kodiak.
CO-CHAIR WOOL noted his daughter's ski coach had spent 10 years
with USCG, and he had a friend who also served.
1:51:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY noted that many members of USCG are
involved in the communities in which they are stationed.
1:52:20 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:52
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 12 RR Northern Rail Extension Project Scope 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Sponsor Statement 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document ARCA_October_2012 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document ARTA_2005 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document HCR2 (2003).pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HCR 2 HJR 12 |
| HJR012A 3.21.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR12 Additional Documents Alaska Rail Act of 1914 3.21.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR12 Fiscal Note 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document - A2A News Report 4.1.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document - A2A presentation 4.1.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| USCG HTRA Brief 4.2.19.pdf |
HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM |