HJR 12-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION  2:05:58 PM CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the next 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. 2:06:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAVE TALERICO, Alaska State Legislature, paraphrased from the Sponsor Statement, which read [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. 2:11:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON asked why this project was never completed and whether there were any objections for completion. 2:11:26 PM THOMAS STUDLER, Staff, Representative Dave Talerico, Alaska State Legislature, explained that the initial funding by the Department of Defense had been for completion of the bridge so the military could access the training areas in the Tanana Flats. He reported that the second phase was intended to lay rail across the bridge, the third phase was intended to lay rail to Delta, and the fourth phase was intended to come across the river into Delta Junction and Fort Greely. REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON asked if, after the initial funding, there had been an intention for completion of the project. MR. STUDLER replied that he was not aware for the reasons to the lack of follow through by the Department of Defense. He added that this was the reason for the proposed resolution asking the Department of Defense to provide the funding. 2:13:03 PM REPRESENTATIVE TARR asked if Phase one and Phase two had been completed. MR. STUDLER, in response, explained that Phase one had been completed with the construction of the access route and the bridge, and that the yet to be completed Phase two was to lay the rail on that access route from Eielson Air Force Base through Salcha, across the river, to a staging area on the training grounds. He added that Phase 3 was intended to complete the 38 miles of rail from the staging area to Delta and that Phase 4 was to go back across the river into Delta Junction and Fort Greely. REPRESENTATIVE TARR shared her understanding that the Feed and Fertilizer Coop in Delta Junction had been built where the railway had been intended to allow for rail shipments. 2:14:58 PM REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked if the right of way had already been purchased for the project. MR. STUDLER explained that, as the right of way was military land, the access had already been granted to the railroad. 2:15:34 PM REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON asked if this project would affect private property owners. MR. STUDLER offered his belief that this would not be the case as the access across the river was directly into Fort Greely and there was not any private property affected. 2:16:22 PM The committee took a brief at-ease. 2:17:52 PM CHAIR LEDOUX opened public testimony. 2:18:10 PM CHAIR LEDOUX closed public testimony. 2:18:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO thanked the committee for hearing the resolution. 2:18:47 PM CHAIR LEDOUX said that HJR 12 would be held over.