Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/15/1997 01:45 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
April 15, 1997
1:45 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman
Senator Gary Wilken, Vice Chairman
Senator Lyda Green
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Rick Halford
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25
Supporting enhancement of visitor access to Denali National Park
and Preserve through development of a northern railroad route
corridor access to the vicinity of Wonder Lake.
- MOVED SJR 25 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 153
"An Act relating to issuance of special license plates to
commemorate the arts."
- MOVED SB 153 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS SENATE ACTION
SJR 25 - No previous Senate action to record.
SB 153 - See Senate Transportation Committee minutes dated 4/3/97.
WITNESS REGISTER
Senator Wilken
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Prime Sponsor of SJR 25.
John Gonzales, Mayor
Denali Borough
PO Box 480
Healy, Alaska 99743
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated that SJR 25 is important.
Joseph Fields III
Kantishna Holdings
PO Box 71047
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SJR 25.
Don Lowell, Special Assistant
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
PO Box 71114
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the feasibility study.
Ted Trueblood, President
Tryck Nyman & Hayes Engineers
911 W 8th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the rail project.
Chip Dennerlein, Regional Director
National Parks & Conservation Association
329 F Street, #208
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SJR 25.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 97-11, SIDE A
SJR 25 SUPPORT ACCESS TO DENALI/ WONDER LAKE
Number 001
CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate Transportation Committee meeting to
order at 1:45 p.m. and introduced SJR 25 as the first order of
business before the committee.
SENATOR WILKEN , Prime Sponsor, pointed out the map he had which
illustrated the area in discussion. Senator Wilken read the
following sponsor statement into the record:
SJR 25 calls for the Alaska Legislature's endorsement of a proposed
northern access railroad route into Denali National Park. A new
northern railroad route, connecting the Alaska Railroad with Wonder
Lake, would not only provide enhanced viewing opportunities for
Alaskans, but for visitors to the state as well. This could serve
to bolster tourism in Alaska, since the Park, the Mountain and all
of the surrounding wild beauty would be accessible on a year-round
basis, instead of just the summer months. In addition to improving
access into the Park, this proposal would enable the state to
encourage and monitor development opportunities involving the
private sector, without substantially affecting the state's
financial resources.
This proposed northern access route is supported by the National
Park Service Advisory Board along with many of the organizations
and communities along the existing Alaska Railroad corridor,
including but not limited to the Municipality of Anchorage,
Fairbanks North Star Borough, the City of North Pole, the City of
Nenana, the City of Seward, and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Senator Wilken encouraged the passage of SJR 25 and noted that the
committee packets listed the various governmental bodies which
endorse the concept.
SENATOR GREEN moved to report SJR 25 out of committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
SB 153 SPECIALIZED LICENSE PLATES FOR ARTS
CHAIRMAN WARD announced that SB 153 was the next order of business
before the committee.
SENATOR GREEN moved to report SB 153 out of committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
Number 073
CHAIRMAN WARD then asked if those on teleconference for SJR 25
would like to testify.
JOHN GONZALES , Mayor of the Denali Borough, believed that SJR 25
was an important resolution. Mayor Gonzales informed the committee
that this resolution was introduced in 1993. Mayor Gonzales
expressed concerns with the current access restrictions to Denali
National Park. This access enhancement would create jobs as well.
SENATOR WILKEN asked Mayor Gonzales if the Parks Service had
completed the study and had he seen any movement on that study.
MAYOR GONZALES said that the feasibility study had been completed
and sent to Senator Murkowski. That study concluded that the
project is feasible.
JOSEPH FIELDS III , Kantishna Holdings, pointed out that Kantishna
Holdings is developing the Denali Railway system and therefore
supports SJR 25. Mr. Fields noted that the committee had been
provided with a packet of information. Mr. Fields offered to take
questions.
SENATOR WILKEN inquired as to Mr. Fields opinion of the Parks
Service feasibility study. JOSEPH FIELDS III had not yet seen the
entire results of the study, only bits and pieces. The only
knowledge of the study is that it determined the project to be
technically feasible. In response to Senator Wilken, Mr. Fields
said that the report was in final edit and could possibly be
provided to the public by the end of the month. Mr. Fields noted
that this northern railroad route was recommended by the National
Parks System Board over two years ago.
Number 161
DON LOWELL , Special Assistant in DOT/PF, informed the committee
that he was the lead from the department working with National
Parks Service on the feasibility study. The report has not yet
been issued for public use. The study stated that a road or
railroad is feasible. The National Parks Service was provided with
cost estimates of building a road or a railroad and the maintenance
of those. The report is still in final review at this time. The
Secretary of the Interior should receive a final copy at the end of
this month.
TED TRUEBLOOD , President of Tryck Nyman & Hayes Engineers, noted
that he was a 45 year Alaskan and 25 year professional engineer in
Alaska. Mr. Trueblood pointed out that he worked as a civil
engineer for ARRC for 14 years. Since that time he has done
contract work for ARRC. Mr. Trueblood noted that when he worked
with Kantishna Holdings, a preliminary route projection, a cost
estimate, and a basic engineering feasibility study were done. In
Mr. Trueblood's opinion, as a rail project this is technically
feasible. As a privately financed project, it is economically
viable and of low environmental impact to the area. Mr. Trueblood
acknowledged that there will be some environmental impact with any
transportation corridor. The approach by Kantishna Holdings to use
a lower capacity rail system, use of natural glass fuel locomotives
seems to be of low impact.
Number 226
CHIP DENNERLEIN , Regional Director of the National Parks &
Conservation Association, explained that NPCA is a national
organization with about 500,000 members dedicated to protecting and
enhancing national parks. Denali is one of the core 54 units of
the National Parks System and is a high priority. Mr. Dennerlein
informed the committee that he was also a member of the National
Parks System Advisory Board (NPSAB). The NPCA opposes SJR 25 with
regard to national resources and visitor opportunity.
The National Parks Service has worked for several years to develop
two major plans for Denali. Two records of decision, the entrance
area to Front Country and the south side, have been signed and have
not been litigated against. The decision relevant to the north
provide a visitors center, a variety of trails, increased numbers
and increased shoulder season use. Mr. Dennerlein mentioned that
additional camping facilities would be provided.
NPSAB has not endorsed a railroad in Denali National Park. NPSAB
adopted a resolution which included 39 recommendations regarding
transportation improvements, South Denali improvements, and many
more. Those recommendations form the basis for the South Denali
plan which has been completed and the Front Country entrance area
which has been signed and completed; both are ready for
implementation. The Mat-Su Borough unanimously endorsed the South
Denali plan.
Mr. Dennerlein pointed out that the NPSAB resolution recommended
that there was support for rail access on the north, such as being
discussed, contingent upon agreement among the stakeholders as to
the extent and nature of development in the Wonder Lake area. Mr.
Dennerlein said that the National Parks Service did take the
recommendations of the NPSAB, managed to create two plans for
Denali which have been signed, and undertook a feasibility study.
The issues at hand are those of enormous cost and the development
that would be triggered by this project. In conclusion, Mr.
Dennerlein feared that SJR 25 would create the type of national
controversy of 17 years ago when Senator Bell pursued a large scale
development in South Denali. The result of Senator Bell's pursuits
was that nothing happened in South Denali for 17 years which Mr.
Dennerlein feared for this project. Mr. Dennerlein urged the
committee to first call for the implementation of those plans that
have been signed and jointly developed by the state and federal
government.
Number 332
CHAIRMAN WARD asked Mr. Dennerlein if he was in favor of the
southern route. CHIP DENNERLEIN noted that there are two separate
plans. In the south there is a mountain viewing area. Mr.
Dennerlein indicated that there are cost prohibitive measures in
the north such as bridges. Mr. Dennerlein said that he was looking
at a mix for better utilization in the north which would benefit
all visitors.
SENATOR WILKEN asked Mr. Dennerlein if he supported or opposed the
southern access and SJR 25. CHIP DENNERLEIN supported the southern
access, but opposed SJR 25.
SENATOR WILKEN was embarrassed that visitors to Denali come to view
Mt. McKinley, but do not get to do so. Senator Wilken was
disappointed in Mr. Dennerlein's lack of vision and understanding
of what should be done to enhance the tourism industry which should
be environmentally benign. This is an opportunity for that.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked if anyone else wished to testify. Not hearing
anyone, Senate Transportation Committee was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
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