Legislature(2001 - 2002)
02/08/2001 01:35 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
February 8, 2001
1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator John Cowdery, Chair
Senator Jerry Ward, Vice Chair
Senator Robin Taylor
Senator Gary Wilken
Senator Kim Elton
MEMBERS ABSENT
All Members Present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 44(TRA)
"An Act designating the Joe Redington, Sr., Memorial Trail."
MOVED CSHB 44 (TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 3
"An Act making a special appropriation for studies for the northern
access into Denali National Park and Preserve; and providing for an
effective date."
MOVED CSSB 3 (TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action.
WITNESS REGISTER
Mr. Edward Grasser
Staff to Representative Beverly Masek
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced CSHB 44(TRA)
Senator Gene Therriault
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 3
Ms. Wilda Rodman
Staff to Senator Gene Therriault
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 3
Mr. Jim O'Toole
Staff to Senator Frank Murkowski
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
322 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 3
Mr. Thomas B. Brigham, Director
Division of Statewide Planning
Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities
3132 Channel Drive
Juneau, Alaska 99801-7898
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SB 3
Ms. Susan Schrader
Conservation Advocate
Alaska Conservation Voters
PO Box 22151
Juneau, Alaska 99802
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed to SB 3
Mayor Johnny Gonzales
Denali Borough
PO Box 480
Healy, Alaska 99743
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 3
Ms. Nancy Bale
Denali Citizens Council
PO Box 78
Denali Park, Alaska 99755
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed to SB 3
Mr. Troy Nave
National Parks Conservation Association
750 West 2nd, #205
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed to SB 3
Mr. Land Cole
Denali National Park Wilderness Centers, Ltd.
PO Box 67
Denali Park, Alaska 99755
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed to SB 3
Mr. Don Lowell
PO Box 71047
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 3
Mr. Joseph N. Fields, III
Kantishna Holding, Inc.
PO Box 71047
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 3
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 01-3, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN JOHN COWDERY called the Senate Transportation Committee
meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Chairman Cowdery announced the first
order of business would be HB 44.
HB 44-JOE REDINGTON SR. MEMORIAL TRAIL
MR. EDDIE GRASSER, staff to Representative Beverly Masek, said that
Representative Masek introduced HB 44 to recognize a true Alaskan
hero, Joe Redington, Sr. Joe Redington was a legend who played a
huge part in starting the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, which brought
Alaska worldwide recognition. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is
uniquely Alaskan, and Representative Masek feels that further
recognition of Mr. Redington would be appropriate. The designation
of the Knik-Goose Bay Road would start in Wasilla and go just past
the Redington homestead. The sign would sit where Joe and Vi
Redington lived and where the family still lives. HB 44 passed the
house unanimously and Representative Masek would appreciate the
support of the Senate.
SENATOR WARD moved CSHB 44 (TRA) out of committee with individual
recommendations. There being no objection, CSHB 44 (TRA) moved out
of committee.
Number 287
SB 3-APPROP: ENV. ASSESS. NORTHERN DENALI ACCESS
SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT, sponsor of SB 3, said after SB 3 was
introduced, it was determined that the first calculation of
$264,000 was incorrect. CSSB 3 has the correct calculation of
$330,000. Senator Therriault became interested in this issue
because his senate district includes the Denali Borough and because
of Senator Frank Murkowski's interest in this project. Language
has been included in federal legislation authorizing money for a
northern access study, money the state has failed to match. The
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) has this
project on its Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP),
but due to environmental opposition, the administration has put it
out as a possible project for the future - past Governor Knowles'
term in office.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said that Senator Murkowski thought the
legislature should step forward and make the match so the study can
get underway.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said the money is intended to match $1.32
million allocated as high priority funds in the federal 1998
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The
legislature has previously passed two resolutions. The first was
HJR 28 in 1994, which supported increased access near Mt. McKinley
through an establishment of a visitor activity area at Kantishna.
The second resolution was SJR 25 in 1997, which supported
enhancement of visitor access through development of a northern
railroad route. Despite those resolutions and the fact that the
federal government categorized the project in its high priority
funds, STIP does not include matching money until 2002. While
recognizing that appropriations are usually considered in the
context of a larger spending measure, SB 3 was introduced at the
urging of Senator Murkowski to generate discussion and highlight
the need for this project.
SENATOR THERRIAULT continued by saying a northern access route
would both increase the number of visitors, currently restricted by
vehicle capacity limits, and expand the shoulder and winter tourist
seasons. The concept of a northern access route has been endorsed
by the National Park System Advisory Board in its resolution of
12/14/94, the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, the Fairbanks
North Star Borough, the Anchorage Municipal Assembly, the City of
Nenana, the Anchorage Star of the North Chamber of Commerce, the
City of Seward, the Alaska Visitor's Association, the Anchorage
Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and the Associated General
Contractors of Alaska, among others.
SENATOR THERRIAULT addressed concerns brought up by the Alaska
Conservation Voters (ACV). The first concern he addressed was the
South Denali Development Plan. Currently, there is minimal funding
for this project, even though ACV makes it sound like facilities
are being developed and are near actual construction. The second
concern is that Taxpayers for Common Sense have said a second
access route into Denali is one of the "ten worst road projects in
America." SB 3 is an appropriation for a study, and if it is
determined that rail access, which Senator Therriault supports, is
the best and preferred way of providing access, the road could be
developed by the private sector - it would not have to be done with
taxpayer money. The third concern addressed is that Denali Park is
proposing a closed-door policy toward park users. Senator
Therriault said if half of the current visitors went into the park
by bus and the other half entered by rail, half as many vehicles
would enter. The existing visitor population could be served
better and in a more environmentally sensitive manner. Senator
Therriault said it would make sense for the state to match the
funds so the study can get underway.
Number 685
SENATOR WARD asked if any of the other "9 worst roads in America"
were in Alaska.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said a web site for Tax Payers for Commonsense
(TPC) might have this information.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY said he would contact them and ask for this
information.
Number 727
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if a right-of-way has been designated.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said Wolf Townships is one area that extends
into the park but not inside the boundary. This area extends to
the west, off the park highway. It is state land that is
envisioned to be part of the access route and is not an identified
right-of-way. This study will identify right-of-way.
SENATOR TAYLOR said that instead of doing an environmental analysis
on an entire watershed it might be preferable to designate what is
to be studied. He recommended adding the words "preliminary
engineering and other studies" after the words "environmental
analysis." This would allow a "P line" through the area. The
environmental analysis would speak to the effects on the
environment from the centerline of the road.
Number 867
CHAIRMAN COWDERY asked about the proposed changes Senator Taylor
suggested.
MR. JIM O'TOOLE, staff to Senator Frank Murkowski, said Senator
Taylor's changes were a fine idea. Knowing the routes would add
more meaning to the environmental impact statement.
SENATOR TAYLOR said the route should be determined before doing the
environmental analysis. Previous bills have included the words
"EIS and preliminary engineering." Possibly the words "additional"
and "studies" would be an important addition.
Number 960
MS. WILDA RODMAN, staff to Senator Therriault, said a letter was
received from the Federal Highway Administration concerning the
definition of "construct" in the TEA-21 bill. "In their
interpretation, construct is a very broad term and includes studies
environmental, all work incidental to construction."
SENATOR TAYLOR said the words "preliminary engineering" would be a
tighter definition. He recommended not appropriating the money to
DOTPF and asked if there would be a way to divert the appropriation
and place it with another authority. Senator Taylor wondered if
there was a borough or public entity to which state funding could
be conveyed, insuring the funding would be spent.
Number 1058
SENATOR THERRIAULT said the state has to make the match. The
Denali Borough would like to receive the money and they have lined
up a consultant that would oversee the work. The work would be
contracted out.
SENATOR TAYLOR said it still might be necessary to put something in
the bill saying the money would go to DOTPF but must be transferred
to the borough doing the work.
MS. RODMAN said she had a letter addressed to the commissioner of
DOTPF from the Denali Borough asking for a transfer of
responsibility agreement, allowing the borough to do the work. She
does not know if DOTPF can grant the transfer of responsibility
agreement or if the legislature has to appropriate the money first.
SENATOR TAYLOR said that legal services should be consulted to see
if SB 3 could be worded in a way that would remove discretion from
DOTPF. The intent needs to be clear - money is to flow through
DOTPF to the borough.
Number 1069
SENATOR ELTON commented that if this project is on the STIP, DOTPF
seems to be biased. He would like to know why it is on the STIP and
where it is.
MS. RODMAN said DOTPF has told her that once the money is
authorized as high priority funds it is then appropriated in a lump
sum. DOTPF doles it out on case-by-case projects. First, to
projects that come forward with a local sponsor - in this case a
local sponsor had not come forward. Now, the Denali borough has
written a letter for the transfer of responsibility agreement and
they have passed a resolution. There is also a letter designating
Alaska Transportation Consultants as their engineering department.
SENATOR ELTON said this would comport with the relationship he has
with DOTPF. He asked about a study the National Park Service did
in 1997, which had a conclusion that the northern access route did
not fit the management plan for the park.
MS. RODMAN said she had read the study and thinks it is a
"difference in opinions."
SENATOR ELTON said it might be helpful if a copy of this study
could be part of the committee packet.
MS. RODMAN said the Denali Task Force (DTF) was commissioned to do
a study on transportation issues in the park. One of their
recommendations was against a north Denali access route. The
National Park System Advisory Board looked at this study and then
passed an amendment overruling the Denali Task Force saying they
did not concur with the DTF decision. Ms. Rodman said she would
provide the committee with copies of the resolution.
Number 1335
SENATOR WILKEN commented that 300,000 visitors travel to Denali
National Park each year expecting to see Mt. McKinley. Less than a
third of these visitors have an opportunity to see the mountain.
Alaska promises its visitors a view of the mountain and what they
are shown is an "ugly canyon." Senator Wilken said he applauds
Senator Therriault for telling Senator Murkowski and the people of
Alaska that the legislature is serious about this project. "This
is world class, and it's high time that we develop that mountain
and develop the view of that mountain in an environmentally
friendly way that fulfills the promise we make to our visitors."
Number 1451
SENATOR WARD said he thinks this is a good project and he hopes
this same procedure would be considered for a Juneau access road.
SENATOR TAYLOR said he would also like access for the Bradfield
road.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if Loren Croxten chaired the report done by
the Denali Task Force. It is Senator Taylor's understanding from
Mr. Croxten, that the park service and Governor Knowles' appointees
to the board distorted that report so much that that is why the
report was overturned.
MS. RODMAN gave the committee copies of the resolution that was
passed by the park system advisory board.
Number 1532
MR. TOM BRIGHAM, Planning Director, DOTPF, said the department has
no problem with SB 3, on the assumption that the appropriation is
in addition to the existing capital budget.
SENATOR WARD asked what would be the best way to ensure the money
does not go through DOTPF and goes directly to Mayor Gonzales of
the Denali Borough.
MR. BRIGHAM replied he did not know if this could be done legally.
DOTPF would have no problem with language in the bill showing clear
intent that the funds are to go through DOTPF to the Denali Borough
for local match. DOTPF has no interest in "short stopping" this
from happening.
Number 1623
SENATOR ELTON asked what would happen to the position on the STIP
now that there is local sponsorship.
MR. BRIGHAM said this project is in 2002-2003 in the STIP. It is
his assumption it would remain in 2002. There does not seem to be
a problem with the Denali Borough initiating this project.
SENATOR ELTON asked if "preliminary engineering" would be one of
the necessary studies.
MR. BRIGHAM replied yes. Given a project of this nature, Mr.
Brigham estimates that $1.5 million would not be sufficient to
complete the environmental work.
SENATOR ELTON asked if there would be a cost estimate, after the
preliminary studies are done, for putting a road through.
MR. BRIGHAM said he did not know what it would cost. There have
been rough estimates done in connection with the railroad proposal
but he does not know of one done for a road.
SENTOR ELTON disagreed with Senator Wilken's comment about the
route to the mountain being an "ugly canyon."
Number 1763
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if DOTPF has done anything about a right-of-
way corridor through the park.
MR. BRIGHAM commented that he is not aware of a right-of-way
corridor.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked for a ballpark idea on the quantity of state
owned land that would be accessed by this route.
MR. BRIGHAM responded he did not know.
SENATOR ELTON said he thinks the Wolf Townships are all state land
and that most of the route will go through the townships.
SENATOR TAYLOR commented that that is 36 square miles of land.
SENATOR WILKEN said if you go from Healy to Kantishna, the Wolf
Townships is about half, and it is all state land, the other half
of the land is federal.
SENATOR TAYLOR said it must be "townships" because a township by
itself is six miles by six miles. This route is 60 miles and if 30
miles of this is state land, it may be a vast amount.
Number 1846
SENATOR THERRIAULT said the Stampede Trail starts at the park's
highway, goes through the Wolf Townships, and then to a mine. This
was one of the pioneer roads, build in the early 1960's, under the
state's pioneer road program. The Wolf Townships cover about one
third of what would be the total distance, one third of the
property would be on state land.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if there is a road going through this land
now.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said there is an eight-mile stretch of road that
is used for recreational access.
Number 1940
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if there is private land in the Kantishna. Is
the mine site private property?
SENATOR THERRIAULT said the mine facilities were destroyed by the
park service, and he is not sure if it is still privately owned.
MR. O'TOOLE said the 106th Congress passed a bill giving the
University of Alaska a mine outside the park, and Stampede Mine was
given back to the park service.
SENATOR TAYLOR said there might be several thousand acres of state
land the public could be using for recreational purposes but
because there is no access it is unavailable. He asked if the park
wants to take this land back.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said the state owns this land. The price put on
the acreage is about $90 million. The sale of this land into park
status is something Senator Therriault would oppose. The proposal
for swap and sale has been stopped.
SENATOR ELTON said the state did not propose to sell this land;
there was a proposal to give the land to the university as a land
grant.
SENATOR TAYLOR added that the university proposed to sell the land.
Number 2060
MS. SUSAN SCHRADER, Alaska Conservation Voters, read the following
statement:
Alaska Conservation Alliance (ACA) and Alaska
Conservation Voters are sister nonprofit organizations
dedicated to protecting Alaska's environment through
public education and advocacy. Our 44 member
organizations and businesses represent over 35,000
registered Alaskan voters. Many of our members each year
join with visitors from other states and other countries
to enjoy activities within our national parks. We are
particularly committed to the conservation of the
wilderness resources and values of our park lands.
ACA has several concerns with SB 3. Building a road or
railroad that begins only 17 miles north of an existing
road and ends at the same place makes little sense. It
is difficult to justify putting $264,000 towards a study
for a speculative and unnecessary project when the same
money could be put to use building actual projects.
There are many other opportunities to spend money on
roads around the state.
The final price tag of $87 to $213 million, depending on
whether it is a road or railroad will require a
substantial match by the state, especially since the
National Park Service opposes the project at this time.
There are better opportunities to promote tourism in
Denali National Park. The main problem with the northern
access is that it has not been demonstrated to have much
demand. The park service feels for the next 15 or 20
years their current plan can accommodate increased
visitation.
The main reason people come to Denali is to see the
mountain, but the second reason is to see wildlife. This
particular route does not have good wildlife viewing.
There is the risk of increasing visitor expectations and
then leaving them unsatisfied because of the wildlife
viewing.
Number 2166
CHAIRMAN COWDERY asked what roads would be better for viewing
wildlife.
MS. SCHRADER said ACV would be happy to look at any routes the
legislature or DOT would propose. ACV would scrutinize the routes
and look at their merits and drawbacks.
MS. SCHRADER noted that Denali Park does not have a closed-door
policy towards park users. The north and south entrance areas each
have a development plan. These plans include a visitor center,
interpretative trails, picnic areas, and campground sites that
would address visitor needs.
MS. SCHRADER said another issue is where the development is taking
place. The south side development seems to be a more reasonable
place to focus on development because it is closer to major
population areas.
MS. SCHRADER noted that this is a very controversial project,
nationally as well as within Alaska. Taxpayer's for Common Sense
list this road as one of the 10 worst road projects in America.
MS. SCHRADER said there are additional concerns about the possible
transfer of responsibility to the borough. The borough is local
government without any road powers at this point.
MS. SCHRADER said this is an ill-advised project that will have
considerable controversy and ACA suggests the committee vote
against SB 3.
Number 2250
SENATOR COWDERY asked Ms. Schrader if she had visited this area.
MS. SCHRADER said she had not yet had that opportunity.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked Ms. Schrader about her concerns over the
conveyance of money to the Denali Borough because it does not have
road powers.
MS. SCHRADER said it is her understanding the Denali Borough is a
relatively new borough and not financially well off. The concern
is whether or not the borough would be able to properly manage the
work needed on construction and long-term maintenance.
SENATOR TAYLOR said no one is contemplating that the borough would
be responsible for the maintenance of the road. He said
transferring money to a borough without road powers might be a
concern.
MS. SCHRADER said she did not have all the details on this specific
argument.
SENATOR TAYLOR said a lawsuit could possibly be filed to prevent
the expenditure of the funds because a borough does not have road
powers. He said this needed to be investigated before passage of
SB 3.
SENATOR ELTON said he was also concerned that the lack of road
powers would impede local sponsorship.
Number 2349
SENATOR WILKEN asked if ACV would object to a railroad going
through the park instead of a road.
MS. SCHRADER said it would depend on the project and how the
ownership was structured.
Side B
SENATOR WILKEN asked Ms. Schrader to explain the "closed-door
policy" again.
MS. SCHRADER referred to her written statement and said that
sometimes the park service comes under criticism for not being as
responsive to visitor needs as some people would like.
SENATOR WILKEN said that during the summer the park service closes
the gates to the road that leads to the mountain and opens the road
again in the fall. The only way to get through is on a bus or with
a permit. Senator Wilken said, "To me, that's closed door that
they open when they want. There's no question that there's a line
at the door to get in. People who go there cannot just go into the
park."
SENATOR WILKEN said the viewing opportunities on the north and
south side of the mountain are different. The chances on the south
side are one in three of seeing the mountain. The chances are two
in three on the north. There is a reason for having access to both
sides of the mountain. "The mountain and the park are big enough
for as many people that can be put in in a friendly manner."
SENATOR WILKEN said this is not a controversial project in his town
and there is broad support for this project.
SENATOR WILKEN said he did not mean to infer, in earlier comments,
that the canyon getting to the mountain was "ugly." It is the
development at the mouth of the park that is ugly. It is ugly
because the canyon is interspersed with hotels that are attached to
the hills, flags are flying, and trinkets are being sold next to a
beautiful river.
Number 2256
SENATOR TAYLOR asked Ms. Schrader to name any road development
project that ACV has ever supported.
MS. SCHRADER replied that most members in Anchorage have supported
road maintenance on existing urban roads.
SENATOR TAYLOR said he meant new road development.
MS. SCHRADER said she was certain there had been roads in certain
urban areas that ACA had not opposed. She does not condone
building in areas where there would be significant environmental
impacts that outweigh the benefit of a road.
SENATOR TAYLOR said that she was expressing an opinion without
offering the committee actual information that there are
significant environmental impacts outweighing the benefit of the
road.
MS. SCHRADER said she did not know all the environmental impacts of
the road.
SENATOR TAYLOR commented that she also did not know what the
economic benefits of the road would be. Senator Taylor said he
would like to see this information if she had it.
Number 2154
MS. SCHRADER said her first point was that ACA does not think this
is a good use of money. $264,000 is not an insignificant amount of
money. ACV has looked at the maps, and knowing from experience
what the area looks like, they are suggesting this money could be
put toward other road projects that would have less environmental
impact.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if ACV had done a cost benefit analysis on
this road, or are they aware of any cost benefit analyses that have
been done.
MS. SCHRADER said the arguments were outlined in her position
paper. In the opinion of the organizations that belong to ACV, this
is not the appropriate place to put a road at this time and it is
not appropriate to spend state money evaluating a road or railroad.
Number 2030
SENATOR ELTON said he suspects that history will show that
environmental organization opposition has not stopped the building
of roads but that other things have happened to stop the roads.
Economic feasibility has probably played a big part in this issue
and also in how the legislature and DOTPF have prioritized
projects.
Number 1972
MAYOR JOHN GONZALES, Denali Borough, said that the borough would be
willing to take the lead. This project would help all the people
of Alaska. This is an opportunity to open up the park to the many
visitors who come and are not able to see the mountain. All
aspects have to be looked at, but he was sure that when a study had
been completed it would show that a road or railway would be
feasible and could be done in an environmentally friendly way.
Mayor Gonzales said the Denali Borough supported SB 3.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if Mayor Gonzales knew of a cost benefit study
being done on this route.
MAYOR GONZALES said a study had been done by the park service.
MR. O'TOOLE said that Senator Murkowski has been working on this
project for about 12 years. One of his objectives was to make the
road environmentally sound and alleviate the overcrowded
conditions, enhancing the visitor's experience. SB 3 was the first
step in ensuring these objectives.
SENATOR TAYLOR said he would like to know the utilization of Denali
Park compared to Yellowstone or Glacier National Park.
MR. O'TOOLE said Denali was twice the size of Yellowstone, which
has four entrances compared to Denali's one entrance.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if Senator Murkowski's office had access to
studies that show the cost of a railroad or road and what the
economic benefit might be and what the environmental detriment
might be.
MR. O'TOOLE said as far as he knew there had been no studies
conducted.
MS. NANCY BALE, speaking via teleconference for the Denali Citizens
Council (DCC), made the following comments:
I am president of the Denali Citizens Council, a local
citizens oversight group. Our organization has followed
the north access issue for the past ten years. We have a
few concerns and questions concerning SB 3.
First, this bill is vague and we request that
clarification be provided on the following points.
· How was the figure of $264,000 determined? Is this the
entire sum or is it to be combined with another study?
Does it constitute matching funds for Senator Murkowski's
north access rider or is it a freestanding, state study?
· Upon what criteria is the expense based? Is this to be a
full environmental impact study, a survey, an analysis of
costs, what?
· What route is meant? Is it the Stampede Road, a new
route, a combination of routes? Is this a route through
state land to the eastern boundary of Denali or is it a
route through state and federal land, all the way to
Wonder Lake?
· What sort of capital project is being referred to in the
body of the bill? Is this the road itself, a railroad, a
hotel?
Second, is there a demonstrated need for a new study for
this access? I have copies of the Denali Access Task
Force Report of 1991, the Denali Task Force Report of
1994, and the North Access Feasibility Study of 1997. It
is clear to the Denali Citizens Council that this issue
has been studied adequately over the years. We urge the
committee to reconsider committing state funds to yet
another study of this issue.
Third, this appropriation for a north access study would
simply the tip of the iceberg, in terms of potential
costs. If a road or railroad were actually to go forward
the cost would be staggering, as previous studies have
shown. In addition to the estimated costs, $100,000,000
for 80 miles of road or $198,000,000 for a railroad,
there would be ancillary costs involved for building in
an area with multiple jurisdictions. These include but
are not limited to:
· Projected maintenance costs, including continued supplies
of gravel.
· Costs for bridges over braided streams.
· Wetlands mitigation.
· Wildlife management issues, as the north side of Denali
harbors the threatened Toklat wolves and migrating
caribou herds.
· Subsistence jurisdictions.
· Litigation costs regarding conflicting claims and rights
of way.
· Opposition of NPS to new hotel construction at Wonder
Lake, and the lack of carrying capacity at Wonder Lake
for new tourist beds.
Fourth, this bill takes the cart before the horse.
Presently, the state is undertaking a Parks Highway
Corridor Study. This study is now being formulated, but
it proposes to cover the entire George Parks Highway
Corridor. Nowhere are the problems more obvious than in
the current situation. Before the state undertakes any
new, potentially contentious capital transportation
project in the Denali area, you need to conduct this
corridor study. It will provide all of us an opportunity
to sit back and take stock of what has already happened
to our major north south transportation corridor and try
to fix that before undertaking anything new.
Undertaking a project of this magnitude would require
greater opportunities for public input in the selection
of alternatives that have heretofore been given. A full
EIS is required. There is considerable disapproval in
the Denali community as to the desirability of north
access into the park. Despite the value of increased
tourism for borough coffers, tourism increased beyond a
reasonable level will end up costing the borough far more
than it provides. Please study the park's highway in a
systematic manner and learn of the concerns that exist on
the ground, now, before taking on such a questionable
project as north access.
The Denali Citizens Council opposes any state
appropriation for a north access study or construction.
MR. TROY NAVE, speaking via teleconference for the National Parks
Conservation Association, thanked the committee and said that Ms.
Bale covered the issues he was concerned with.
MR. LAND COLE testified via teleconference from Anchorage for the
Denali National Park Wilderness Centers, Ltd. Due to technical
problems, Mr. Cole's testimony was inaudible. Following are
highlights from his faxed testimony:
· The existence of an additional transportation corridor would
irreparably harm the wilderness character of the park and its
wildlife.
· The $1.5 million dollar appropriation is only a fraction of
the actual cost of the planned environmental assessment. This
under funding of an environmental assessment begs the question
of how this money would be spent since it is not enough to
complete the project. The construction, environmental impact
studies, and litigation expenses surrounding the total cost of
building another road into Denali would be a waste of federal
and state transportation funds.
· Use of the current road is only required for less than three
and a half months of the year. Two roads to the same place,
with their beginning point only 17 miles apart makes no sense.
The present road has been adequately improved and maintained
to serve area businesses as well as over half a million park
visitors during the summer season. The current road provides
access to the best parts of the park. Extra roads would only
serve to diminish the wilderness and the wildlife experience
visitors expect and businesses rely on.
· Busses used on the current road are new buses and are not old
school buses used prior to 1994. Of the approximately 116
buses going into the park per day only four go as far as
Kantishna - there is not much demand for a 10-hour ride.
· The majority of visitors only go the first 15 miles into the
park. SB 3 will increase tourism causing a demand for park
access closer to Anchorage, not for a longer bus or train ride
to and from Kantishna.
· The railroad proposal, which intends to reduce visitor impacts
yet increase the number of visitors, ignores the following
facts: Year round visitation to Denali is not sufficient to
support a railroad financially. The level of development in
Kantishna required to support the projected numbers of
visitors would be in direct conflict to the National Park
Service's management plan.
· The Denali Task Force report, which addressed the feasibility
of a variety of development opportunities for Denali, arrived
at the conclusion that a north access route should not be part
of future development because of the negative impacts it would
have on the park. The group suggested that further
development should be concentrated on the southern side of the
park.
MR. DON LOWELL, testifying via teleconference from Fairbanks, said
he was a retired special assistant for DOTPF. Mr. Lowell headed up
the study for DOTPF on the northern access route to Denali. The
study found both a road and railroad feasible. The average daily
road traffic would be 11,000 vehicles a day.
MR. LOWELL said the Denali Borough is now involved with DOTPF in
the Nenana Canyon Safety Project. The borough could certainly be
involved in the engineering and planning of the new access route.
Since his retirement, Mr. Lowell has been involved with a nonprofit
transportation-consulting firm. The firm wants to promote and
assist rural and urban areas with transportation projects that are
not being pursued by the state. His organization has agreed to
assist the Denali Borough in doing the pre-construction
environmental impact statement. The borough can do this and they
do have the authority to do this.
MR. LOWELL said the existing road is one of the most dangerous
roads in the world with steep curves, vertical drop-offs, narrow
roads, and no guardrails.
MR. LOWELL commended the senate for recommending SB 3 and he hopes
it will approve this project.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if a feasibility study had been done in the
past for this road.
MR. LOWELL said the studies were not feasibility studies. The
state was involved in two projects, one in 1961 for building the
Pioneer Access Road, the other in 1993 for a road from Healy into
McGrath. Governor Knowles canceled the later study. DOTPF provided
cost estimates and estimated daily traffic flow to the park service
so it could respond to a request from Senator Murkowski.
MR. JOSEPH N. FIELDS, III, testifying via teleconference from
Fairbanks for Kantishna Holding, Inc. (KHI), said he had been
involved in the northern access process for about a decade. KHI
had looked at this issue very carefully and had provided the
committee with resolutions from all across the rail belt supporting
SB 3. Mr. Fields wanted to emphasize that the park is not at its
carrying capacity, the road is. The park is 10,000 square miles,
6.4 million acres. There was a BRW study that said 1,300
administrative vehicles could be taken off park roads and if they
were replaced with 1,300 buses, 50,000 more people could enter the
park. Mr. Fields said the railroad broadly appeals to the general
environmental community.
SENATOR WILKEN asked to move CSSB 3 from committee with individual
recommendations.
SENATOR ELTON said he would be more comfortable if the committee
held onto the bill until the committee was furnished with the
economic analysis and impact studies.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY said SB 3 had been referred to the finance
committee, and he wanted to move it out of the transportation
committee.
SENATOR ELTON objected to the motion to move CSSB 3 out of
committee. A role call vote was taken. Senator Taylor, Senator
Wilken and Chairman Cowdery voted "yea," and Senator Elton voted
"nay." CSSB 3 was moved from committee.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the
meeting was adjourned.
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