Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/04/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB176 | |
| SB28 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 249 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 176(RES)
"An Act creating the Fort Rousseau Causeway State
Historical Park."
9:14:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, Sponsor, presented HB 176. The
legislation would establish Fort Rousseo Causeway State
Historical Park. The area is currently managed under the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF).
The legislation would transfer management to the Department
of Natural Resources. In the build up for WWII, the
Department of the Defense constructed fortifications at
several locations encircling Sitka Sound. An 8,000 foot rock
and gravel road was built connecting several small islands
west of the then Navy's Sea Plane and Operating Base in
Sitka. This causeway terminated at the Army's command
headquarters named Fort Rousseau on Makhnati Island The
causeway has been added to the National Register of Historic
places and designated a landmark by the National Park
Service. To rehabilitate the Causeway, Sitka Trail Works has
received federal and state grants, but cannot continue to
proceed until the land is transferred to the Department of
Natural Resources.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for more information regarding
General Rousseo.
CLIFF STONE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WILSON, explained that
Rousseo was a brigadier general commissioned to accept
Alaska on behalf of the United States on October 18, 1867.
He also served 2 years in the United States House of
Representatives and was buried in Arlington cemetery as a
hero of the Civil War.
Co-Chair Hoffman, referencing fiscal note #2, asked if the
$14.5 thousand for personal services reflects costs for
existing personnel or a new employee.
Mr. Stone understood that the fiscal note represented
additional costs for existing personnel.
MICHAEL EBERHARDT, SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTHEAST, DIVISION OF
PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION, explained that the fiscal note
represents additional funds for the existing park specialist
position. The funds will be used for hiring additional
seasonal employees to take over some of the more menial
tasks in order for the park specialist to attend to needs of
the Causeway.
Representative Wilson explained that there is a business
plan for the Park. The plan indicates that modest tourism
dollars would net approximately $12,000.00 a year. As the
program grows, a projected $20,000 would be available for
the General Fund.
Co-Chair Stedman asked how the Park is accessed.
Representative Wilson said the area is accessible by boat.
Co-Chair Stedman asked why the area is not accessible by
car. Representative Wilson explained that the area is
closed off to traffic due to its proximity to the airport.
9:21:27 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman said there is no representation of
contributions to the General Fund reflected in the fiscal
note.
Mr. Eberhardt responded that the Department has not been
involved with the private entity that authored the business
plan since the area is not currently a state park. He had
seen the numbers and agreed with them, but could not verify
them.
Co-Chair Stedman provided some history of the site and
observed that the Causeway is in front of Japonski Island.
He explained that there is a plan to put in a small dock to
encourage the visitor industry to bring tourists in to visit
the site. He further explained that considerable clean up
is necessary, which requires addressing concerns regarding
native historical sites.
Senator Thomas asked if there was a connection between
Japonski Island and the mainland.
Co-Chair Stedman explained that a causeway was built by the
military to bring equipment and artillery out to Japonski
Island.
Senator Thomas asked if there was any connection to the
mainland from Japonski Island. Co-Chair Stedman said
Japonski Island is connected by the John W. O'Connell
Bridge. Senator Thomas asked why the vehicle traffic had
been cutoff. Co-Chair Stedman explained that vehicle access
was cut off when the airport was built.
9:25:20 AM
HARVEY BRANDT, SELF, SITKA, testified via teleconference, a
retired teacher and park ranger testified in support of HB
176. He provided some history of the Park, highlighting
that some of the 150,000 young men and women who came to
Alaska in WWII returned to make Alaska their home. He
further pointed out the importance of the Tlingit Native
history within the Park. He felt the establishment of the
Park would promote and develop tourism in Sitka.
DEBORAH LYONS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SITKA TRAIL WORKS,
testified via teleconference, in support of HB 176. The
organization is in support of placing the management of the
Causeway with the Division of Parks. Her organization has
funds to continue to restore and renovate facilities. In
answer to a question asked earlier regarding the business
plan, she said numbers are based on comparisons of the
existing tour company Sitka Bike and Hike. She informed the
Committee that, in 2005, the company reported 4000 tours. In
2007, they reported an increase to 6000 tours. With that
amount of visitors, she maintained that the revenue from
tourism could pay for the Park's operation and supervision
of the Causeway.
MARLENE CAMPBELL, CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD, SITKA, testified
via teleconference, in support of HB 176. She said citizens
had worked for over two decades to get the Causeway into
safe care to permit the public to access and enjoy the
islands. She explained that the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities supports the transition
to Park Management, which would allow for a plan to move
forward. She maintained that the project is revenue
positive and has the support of tourism companies and the
community. She further noted that Sitka Trail Works has
received significant federal funds to clean up and restore
the area.
9:34:46 AM
Co-Chair Stedman said the project provides the opportunity
for state parks to be revenue positive rather than a cash
consumer.
Senator Olson asked if any wild life concerns had been
addressed with regards to the project.
Mr. Eberhardt clarified that a study regarding wildlife had
not been done, since there are no plans for construction.
He explained that the area is primarily used for picnicking
and camping.
9:37:07 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 176 (RES) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the attached
fiscal notes.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 176(RES) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and fiscal note #2 by the Department of
Natural Resources.
AT EASE: 9:37:45 AM
RECONVEINE: 9:42:36 AM
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