Legislature(1997 - 1998)
01/29/1998 01:30 PM Senate TRA
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SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
January 29, 1998
1:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman
Senator Gary Wilken, Vice Chair
Senator Lyda Green
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Rick Halford
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 251
"An Act naming Herman Leirer Road near Seward."
MOVED SB 251 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 211
"An Act renaming the Gravina Veterans' Memorial Bridge as the Ralph
M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge."
MOVED SB 211 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS SENATE ACTION
SB 251 - No previous committee action.
SB 211 - No previous committee action.
WITNESS REGISTER
Senator John Torgerson
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 251
Mr. Bob Satin, Mayor
City of Seward
P.O. Box 3692
Seward, Alaska 99664
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 251
Joe Ambrose
Chief of Staff to Senator Taylor
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for sponsor of SB 211
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 98-1, SIDE A
CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate Transportation Committee meeting to
order at 1:32 p.m. Present were Senators Ward, Green and Lincoln.
The first order of business before the committee was SB 251.
SB 251 - NAMING HERMAN LEIRER ROAD
SENATOR JOHN TORGERSON, sponsor, stated SB 251 is a straightforward
piece of legislation honoring Herman Leirer, a long-time Seward
resident, for his involvement in the construction and maintenance
of a road to the Exit Glacier. SB 251 names that road Herman
Leirer Road.
SENATOR GREEN commended Senator Torgerson on the sectional analysis
of the bill.
CHAIRMAN WARD noted Senator Wilken had arrived.
BOB SATIN, Mayor of Seward, testified that Mr. Leirer was a pillar
of the community in many ways but primarily in his willingness to
put forth much effort and time constructing a road through
Resurrection Valley to the Exit Glacier. That glacier has since
been accessed by over one million visitors. Mr. Satin explained,
as a National Park Ranger and geologist, he leads interpretive
tours to the Exit Glacier and is reminded daily that Mr. Leirer
made the access possible. The residents of Seward believe the name
designation is a fitting recognition of Mr. Leirer's contribution,
and will be a lasting memorial.
SENATOR WILKEN asked Mr. Satin the name of the compressed ice layer
at the bottom of glaciers. MR. SATIN answered it is named the
"basal" layer and explained that one theory of glacial movement is
that the enormous amount of pressure at the bottom of a glacier
prevents water from freezing. The thin layer of liquid water at
the base allows the glacier to move. The National Park Service
inserted a radio transmitter about 12+ meters into the glacial mass
to determine the internal rate of movement of the ice mass of the
Exit Glacier. Transmitter readings show the glacier has moved
about 1 inch per hour which has amounted to 531 feet in two years.
SENATOR WILKEN asked why the sponsor did not want to rename the
Exit Glacier after Mr. Leirer. MR. SATIN explained an expedition
crossing the Harding icefield was looking for a suitable place to
get off, and used that glacier as an exit, hence the name. MR.
SATIN said the name confuses tourists who cannot find the entrance
road to the glacier, since there is only one sign that says "Exit
Glacier."
There being no further testimony on SB 251, SENATOR WILKEN moved to
advance SB 251 to its next committee of referral with individual
recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no
objection, the motion carried.
Number 135
SB 211 - RENAMING VET MEM BRIDGE IN KETCHIKAN
JOE AMBROSE, staff to Senator Taylor, sponsor of SB 211, read the
sponsor's statement for the record. SB 211 would rename the
proposed bridge across Tongass Narrows at Ketchikan the Ralph M.
Barholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge. Mr. Bartholomew served in
World War II, served on the Ketchikan school board and planning
commission, as Borough mayor, and on numerous volunteer
organizations.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if the Ketchikan Borough Assembly has
endorsed SB 211. MR. AMBROSE answered the Borough Assembly passed
a resolution on Monday, but a copy has not been received yet.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked that committee members receive a copy of that
resolution when it arrives.
SENATOR GREEN moved SB 211 out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no
objection, the motion carried.
Number 200
SENATOR LINCOLN requested the Commissioner of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) present the committee
with an update on the statewide transportation plan, the priority
list, and deferred maintenance. CHAIRMAN WARD said scheduling
discussions are ongoing with the legislative liaison from DOTPF,
but no date has yet been set.
There being no further business to come before the committee,
CHAIRMAN WARD adjourned the meeting at 1:43 p.m.
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