HJR 46 - ENDORSING FALLS CREEK HYDROPOWER PROJECT REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT made a MOTION to MOVE CSHJR 46(RES) with attached fiscal note out of committee with individual recommendations. REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES OBJECTED. DAVE GRAY, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT, REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MACKIE, PRIME SPONSOR, said HJR 46 is to encourage the community of Gustavus and the Gustavus Electric Company's efforts to get a low power hydroproject going in the Gustavus area. He stated the site happens to be just inside the boundaries of the National Park Service (NPS) and will require the NPS to allow it to happen on their land. He noted there has been encouragement from Washington, D.C. that they would like to entertain the possibility of this project. REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES asked if there have been any discussions with the NPS at this point. MR. GRAY replied this is not a new project but one that has been worked on for at least two years. He said there have been discussions with the NPS by residents in and around Gustavus, as well as the Gustavus Electric Company. He explained there has been interest in Washington, D.C. to not be so adamantly against this type of project, particularly a project which could benefit the NPS directly. REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES questioned what impact the project would have on the park. MR. GRAY noted in committee members folders there are letters of support from people who are very sensitive to the park's purpose and the environment around Gustavus. He said the project is closer to Gustavus not where the cruise ships go, etc. He felt the impact would be minimal, at best. REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES clarified the project is not deep inside the park, but rather at the entrance. MR. GRAY replied the project is right next to Gustavus and is in the same area the community of Gustavus would like to do a solid waste disposal area. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT WITHDREW his MOTION. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT made a MOTION to ADOPT CSHJR 46(RES). CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections. Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT made a MOTION to MOVE CSHJR 46(RES) with attached zero fiscal note out of committee with individual recommendations. CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections. Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED.