Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/26/2003 01:35 PM Senate CRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 2-EXTEND ALASKA RAILROAD TO FT. GREELY
CHAIR WAGONER announced the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs (DMVA) asked him to make changes to this resolution. He
hasn't had time to discuss those changes with the sponsor or to
draft an amendment so they would take no action that day.
SENATOR ELTON asked whether public testimony would be taken when
the committee substitute was heard. If so, he would hold his
questions until that time.
CHAIR WAGONER said public testimony would be taken later and
agreed holding questions until the CS was drafted was a good
idea.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB LYNN asked for favorable consideration of HCR
2 to extend the Alaska Railroad about 70 miles from Eielson AFB
near North Pole to the Fort Greely anti-ballistic missile launch
facility near Delta Junction. He noted letters of support in the
packets from General Pat Gamble, President of the Alaska
Railroad, Brigadier General Craig Campbell, Commissioner of the
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and former
Representative Jeannette James.
Extending the railroad would help support and maintain the
missile site, mining and agricultural operations and increase
the economic development of the North Pole to Delta Junction
area. It would also take the railroad 70 miles closer for an
eventual connection to the Lower 48 through Canada and bring
great benefit to Alaska.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked why the language, "and continue from thence
to the Canadian border." was absent from the resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN replied it was to keep the resolution simple
and free of other issues.
SENATOR TAYLOR said, "In deference to your request, I'll do the
same."
SENATOR ELTON understood missiles and missile components would
necessarily travel by air and wondered what effect that would
have on the economic viability of the rail extension.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN didn't know whether missiles and missile
components would or would not be carried by rail, but rail would
be used to build the infrastructure.
SENATOR ELTON asked whether there was an existing right of way
and if not, what needs to be done to create a right of way.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN replied that question would be better
addressed when a bill is introduced.
CHAIR WAGONER called for teleconferenced testimony.
COMMISSIONER CRAIG CAMPBELL, Department of Military & Veterans
Affairs, advised the department supports the legislation, but
they are encouraging the Senate to amend the resolution. The
amendment would better define some of the issues raised during
the House debate. He said Senator Elton's question was good
because the long range plan envisioned by the DMVA is for a
larger use operation than to simply transport missiles to Fort
Greely. Missiles will be transported by air, but improving and
supporting the airfield would be done by rail. The Army is also
looking at developing the range near Fort Greely for the Striker
Brigade and the brigade vehicles would be transported by rail.
The Governor is looking at rail expansion for economic
development in the Delta area and the department would support
rail expansion for mining, agricultural, and industrial
development that may be available. The department supports
enlarging the resolution to include some of the specifics of
reasons why extension from the Eielson AFB to Fort Greely makes
economic sense for both Fort Greely and the region.
SENATOR STEVENS asked how far it was from Fort Greely to the
US/Canada border and the distance from the border to the
railhead in Canada.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL didn't know and suggested the question be
directed to the railroad.
SENATOR ELTON said since the mission is broader than service to
the new missile sites, it would be helpful if he had a better
understanding of the manpower and logistical needs from the
military standpoint.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he would address the request with the
Army and the DMVA. The development of Fort Greely is happening
rapidly with the increase of the missile defense program there
as well as the potential for the training operations of the
Striker Brigade. The military is very interested in the Fort
Greely area for what it can provide for national security as
well as for the state.
SENATOR TAYLOR commented there should still be a right of way
for the pipeline between Haines to Eielson AFB even though the
pipe is no longer useful.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL admitted he knew nothing about the current
status of that line.
MR. PETE HALLGREN, City Administrator for the City of Delta
Junction, agreed with the comments made by Commissioner
Campbell.
There was no further testimony.
CHAIR WAGONER announced HCR 2 would be held in committee.
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