Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/11/2021 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
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| SB74 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 74 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 11, 2021
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Robert Myers, Chair
Senator Mike Shower, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Peter Micciche
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 74
"An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of general
obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of state
infrastructure projects, including construction, communications,
major maintenance, public safety, and transportation projects;
and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 74
SHORT TITLE: G.O. BONDS: STATE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/05/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/21 (S) TRA, FIN
02/25/21 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/25/21 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/02/21 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/02/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/02/21 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
03/09/21 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/09/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/09/21 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
03/11/21 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
TIM DILLON, Executive Director
Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Fairbanks to
Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail in SB 74 to provide economic
benefits to local communities.
BECKY LONG, representing self
Talkeetna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the West Susitna
Road Project in SB 74 due to inadequate public process,
constitutional issues, and concern that it will adversely impact
the West Susitna watershed.
ANN RAPPOPORT, Co-Chair
Rabbit Creek Community Council
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of including the Potter
Marsh Site Improvement Projects in SB 74.
JULIE SAUPE, Visit Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Fairbanks to
Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail Project in SB 74 to promote
tourism.
HEDI DRYGAS, Lobbyist
Alaska State Pipe Trades Local 375
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 74 because it
will spur economic growth.
CLAY WALKER, Mayor
Denali Borough
Healy, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Fairbanks to
Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail Project in SB 74 for the
recreational benefits to Alaskans and to foster independent
travelers.
MELISSA HEWER, Executive Director
Susitna River Coalition
Talkeetna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concern about the project
costs and lack of local support for the West Susitna Access Road
Project in SB 74.
CHRIS BECK, representing
Alaska Trails Foundation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Fairbanks to
Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail Project in SB 74.
JOSH VERHAGEN, Mayor
City of Nenana
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Fairbanks to
Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail Project in SB 74 due to the
economic benefits for communities and small businesses.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:18 PM
CHAIR ROBERT MYERS called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Kiehl, Shower, and Chair Myers. Senator
Bishop arrived shortly thereafter.
SB 74-G.O. BONDS: STATE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
1:34:48 PM
CHAIR MYERS announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 7,
"An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of general
obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of state
infrastructure projects, including construction, communications,
major maintenance, public safety, and transportation projects;
and providing for an effective date."
1:34:59 PM
CHAIR MYERS opened public testimony on SB 74.
1:35:19 PM
CHAIR MYERS asked if anyone in the room wished to testify.
1:35:46 PM
TIM DILLON, Executive Director, Kenai Peninsula Economic
Development District, Kenai, Alaska, spoke in support of the
$13.2 million for the Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail, which
is also known as the Long Trail. He said the Kenai Peninsula
Economic Development District, a non-government resource, worked
with the Division of State Parks and the City of Seward to
evaluate how to enhance visitor opportunities. He highlighted
that the current visitor trends are moving towards active
outdoor experiences for independent travelers. The district's
goal is to encourage visitors to stay one additional day in
Alaska to generate revenue. When completed, the Long Trail will
consist of an uninterrupted trail from Seward to Fairbanks. This
investment could bring significant economic benefits to
communities along the trail from Seward to Fairbanks. He said
this investment could also leverage federal dollars, such as the
Land Water Conservation Funds.
1:36:25 PM
SENATOR BISHOP joined the meeting.
1:38:36 PM
BECKY LONG, representing self, Talkeetna, Alaska, spoke against
the $8.5 million West Susitna Access Road Project because it is
not critical infrastructure. This project has advanced despite
opposition, she said. The project is not shovel-ready nor does
not pass the Alaska Constitution's legality test for GO bonding.
The public stakeholder process and AIDEA Board public process
have been inadequate. The original 2014 Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) Roads to Resources
(R2R) studies only surveyed industrial companies and
governmental entities. She found the lack of environmental
impact determination as a major study flaw. She expressed
concern that this project will adversely impact the West Susitna
watershed. AIDEA's executive director disregarded the
substantial recreational use, including hunting, fishing,
lodges, and small mining claims. These activities could be put
in jeopardy by an industrial, polluting road, she said.
1:40:10 PM
ANN RAPPOPORT, Co-Chair, Rabbit Creek Community Council,
Anchorage, Alaska, asked that the council's letter of March 11,
2021 be made part of the record. She spoke in support of adding
$620,000 for the Potter Marsh Site Improvements Project [74150-
1) upgrades, including restrooms for the parking and visitor
facilities at Potter Marsh. This small project will help
stimulate the economy. She related that the Rabbit Creek
Community Council is one 38 community councils. Potter Marsh is
adjacent to the Seward Highway and the area provides outdoor
recreational opportunities, including walking, running, ice
skating, photography and bird or wildlife viewing. She reported
that over 150,000 people visit the refuge annually. Due to
partner cutbacks, rising costs, and recent changes in matching
funds, the previously fully-funded $1.4 million project has a
$620,000 shortfall. This project is shovel-ready, will provide
construction jobs and positively enhance the Rabbit Creek
neighborhood. She urged members to include this project in SB
74.
1:42:50 PM
JULIE SAUPE, representing Visit Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska,
spoke in support of the Fairbanks to Seward Multi-Use Recreation
Trail, also known as the Long Trail. Research shows that Alaska
travelers are motivated by mountains, glaciers, and wildlife.
Hiking is the fastest growing activity for visitors to Alaska,
she said. Independent travelers continue to grow and provide a
year-round base. The Long Trail improvements will enhance
Alaska's world-class hiking and provide increased economic
benefits to communities from Fairbanks to Seward.
1:45:35 PM
HEDI DRYGAS, Lobbyist, Alaska State Pipe Trades Local 375,
Juneau, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 74 to support
infrastructure projects because the economic benefits are good
for workers and businesses and spur economic growth. She urged
members not to shy away from bonding as a means to support
infrastructure projects.
1:46:24 PM
CLAY WALKER, Mayor, Denali Borough, Healy, Alaska, spoke in
support of the $13.2 million for the Seward Multi-Use Recreation
Trail Project in SB 74 also known as the Alaska Long Trail
Project. This visionary project has strong and growing support,
he said. This funding will help build essential segments of the
trail, which have been vetted and are shovel ready. The Denali
Borough recognizes the societal benefits of investing in outdoor
recreational opportunities. These investments can result in
happier, healthier Alaskans and makes Alaska more attractive to
visitors and repeat visitors will result in economic benefits.
The Denali Borough has built strong relationships with the
National Park Service and the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF) to help get the project moving. About
half of the $350 million GO Bond proposal is dedicated to
transportation projects, of which $13.2 million is for the Long
Trail Project that will span the entire Railbelt. He offered his
view that this is a small investment given the significance of
Alaska's visitor and outdoor industries.
1:48:30 PM
MELISSA HEWER, Executive Director, Susitna River Coalition,
Talkeetna, Alaska, expressed concern about the West Susitna
Access Road being included in SB 74. This project is in the
preliminary stages of development and has only had one public
hearing during Phase 2 of the preliminary studies. She said this
project lacks public support, has not been vetted or advertised
in the community and is not shovel-ready. Many Alaska Native
groups and individuals along the route have yet to be notified
that the project was being discussed. The 2014 Road to Resources
studies estimated costs at $2 to $6 million per mile for this
100-mile road. These costs go far beyond the $8 million
requested in this proposal. Further, the preferred route for
this project has not yet been identified. She urged members to
remove this project and focus on genuine shovel-ready projects
that will benefit our economy.
1:49:40 PM
At ease
1:50:14 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting.
1:50:29 PM
CHRIS BECK, Alaska Trails Foundation, Anchorage, Alaska, spoke
in support of the Fairbanks to Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail
Project in SB 74. This non-profit foundation has worked with its
partners for the past several years to identify $13.2 million in
projects for inclusion in the GO Bond funding for the Fairbanks
to Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail Project, also known as the
Long Trail. Investing in Alaska's outdoor resources will provide
jobs and infrastructure that will serve Alaska for decades.
These projects will replace poorly designed trails with ones
that will cost less to maintain. People are naturally attracted
to extensive trail systems like the Appalachian Trail. He
predicted the Long Trail would become a destination. He echoed
the benefits that previous testifiers highlighted.
1:53:48 PM
JOSH VERHAGEN, Mayor, City of Nenana, Nenana, Alaska, spoke in
support of the Fairbanks to Seward Multi-Use Recreation Trail
Project known as the Long Trail. He said people are motivated to
travel to communities for recreational purposes, to enjoy the
beauty or delve into the history in the areas. This multi-use
trail will allow people to explore nature. This trail will bring
independent travelers to support small businesses. Independent
travelers buy gear, visit restaurants, use laundry facilities,
and stay overnight at facilities, inns or bed and breakfasts.
Community members and advocates genuinely believe that this
project will bring a whole new group of adventure tourists to
many communities and it is a wise use of the $13.2 million.
1:56:13 PM
CHAIR MYERS, after first determining no one wished to testify,
closed public testimony on SB 74.
1:56:58 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Myers adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 1:56 p.m.
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