Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124
04/20/2017 11:30 AM House ARCTIC POLICY, ECONOMIC DEV., & TOURISM
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR19 | |
| Presentation(s): Marine Exchange of Ak | |
| HJR19 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HJR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HJR 19-ARCTIC MARINE SAFETY AGREEMENTS
11:33:11 AM
CHAIR WESTLAKE announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Commending the Arctic
Waterways Safety Committee; supporting the adoption of
prevention measures into international agreements to ensure
clear, universal, and enforceable marine safety measures in the
Arctic; and urging the state's delegation in the United States
Congress and the governor to promote the adoption of spill
prevention measures into international agreements; urging the
President of the United States and the United States Department
of State to initiate negotiations to enter into international
agreements to ensure safe and environmentally responsible marine
operations in the Arctic.
11:33:28 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 11:33 a.m. to 11:39 a.m.
11:39:12 AM
JESSE LOGAN, Staff, Representative Dean Westlake, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HJR 19 on behalf of Representative
Westlake, prime sponsor, with the use of a PowerPoint
presentation [hardcopy available in the committee packet]. He
mentioned that formerly he was a policy advisor to the Alaska
Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC). He relayed that HJR 19 deals
primarily with marine safety prevention measures as they pertain
to international traffic in the Bering Straits and bilateral
agreements with Russia.
MR. LOGAN relayed that Slide 2 cites the Alaska statute and the
federal Act defining the "Arctic." He noted the yellow box on
Slide 2 demonstrating the constriction point of the Bering
Strait. He referred to Slide 3, entitled "Bering Strait
Transits 2008-2016," which illustrates the vessel traffic in the
Bering Strait during the last few years. He credited the Marine
Exchange of Alaska (MXAK) for the graph.
MR. LOGAN mentioned that the proposed resolution outlines some
of the needs and challenges in ensuring that all vessels
transiting the Bering Strait adhere to the same safety and
prevention measures. He explained that beyond three miles from
shore and up to the end of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),
the strait is under federal jurisdiction; beyond that, it is in
international and Russian waters. He asserted that the focus of
the proposed resolution is the vessel traffic in the Bering
Strait.
MR. LOGAN stated that the proposed resolution commends the
formation of the Arctic Waterway Safety [Committee] (AWSC),
urges the governor and the state's congressional delegation to
promote the adoption of the spill prevention measures and
international agreements, and urges the President of the United
States and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to initiate
negotiations with the state's coastal neighbors to enter into
agreements to ensure safe and environmentally responsible marine
operations in the Arctic.
MR. LOGAN relayed that without the uniform safety and prevention
measures for all vessels transiting Alaska waters, the state
becomes increasingly vulnerable to adverse effects in the event
of a mishap or a tragedy. He mentioned that later in the
committee meeting, Paul Fuhs [President of the Board of
Directors, MXAK] and Captain Ed Page [Executive Director, MXAK]
will provide background on MXAK and offer more detail on how the
proposed resolution would fit into international agreements.
MR. LOGAN continued with Slides 4 and 5 to explain state policy
and the function of AAPC, which has been in existence for just
over two years. He stated that the goal of the commission was
to develop an Arctic policy for the state and create an
implementation plan for the policy. He said that for two years
the commission convened public meetings around the state: the
first was in Juneau; then meetings were held in Anchorage,
Fairbanks, Barrow, Kotzebue, Nome, and Unalaska. He mentioned
that each meeting began with a full day of listening sessions -
gathering information from local leaders, community members, and
stakeholders - to make the process as inclusive as possible.
MR. LOGAN referred to Slide 6 and relayed that in 2015 the
commission delivered its Final Report, the Implementation Plan
[for Alaska's Arctic Policy], and the Executive Summary,
provided in the committee packet and available electronically on
the website, "akarctic.com."
MR. LOGAN turned to Slide 7, entitled "Alaska's Arctic Policy,"
to highlight portions of the policy now codified in statute. He
mentioned that the policy was a direct result of work by AAPC
and former Representative Bob Herron, who introduced House Bill
1 in the Twenty-Ninth Alaska State Legislature, 2015-2016. He
cited AS 44.99.105(a)(2)(A), which read, "strengthen and expand
cross-border relationships and international cooperation,
especially bilateral engagements with Canada and Russia."
MR. LOGAN referred to Slide 8 and cited AS 44.99.105(a)(3)(A),
shown on Slide 8, which read, "enhance disaster and emergency
prevention and response, oil spill prevention and response, and
search and rescue capabilities in the region." He cited
subparagraph B, which read, "provide safe, secure, and reliable
maritime transportation in areas of the state adjacent to the
Arctic." He relayed that one of the most significant issues
with maritime transportation in the Bering Strait is that the
U.S. has jurisdiction over only a portion of it. He asserted
that if all transiting vessels are not adhering to the same
regulations, then it is possible that Alaska would see the
adverse effects of the dangers mentioned in this statute.
MR. LOGAN referred to AS 44.99.105(b), displayed on Slide 9. He
said that the state has decided in policy to support the
strategic recommendations of the implementation plan and to
address the infrastructure and response capacity to support the
Arctic region.
11:43:59 AM
MR. LOGAN referred to Slide 10, entitled "Artic Policy
Implementation Plan FOUR LINES OF EFFORT." He relayed that in
the Implementation Plan, each of the four lines of effort are
broken into multiple recommendations identifying the problem,
the lead agency, and the plan for implementation. He stated
that it was a "tool book" advising policy makers on a starting
point, (indisc.--coughing) players, and how to move forward.
MR. LOGAN referred to Slide 11, entitled "LINE OF EFFORT #2
ADDRESS RESPONSE CAPACITY." He stated that response capacity
requires strong partnership and communication to prepare for
incidents, respond, and develop best practices.
MR. LOGAN referred to Recommendation 2A on Slide 12, which is to
ensure strengthened capacity within the Administration to
address Arctic maritime, science, climate, and security issues.
He mentioned that the lead agency was the Governor's Office. He
stated that HJR 19 specifically speaks to the governor working
with other stakeholders and the [Alaska] U.S. congressional
delegation to support bilateral agreements on marine safety
standards within the Bering Strait and elsewhere.
MR. LOGAN referred to Recommendation 2C on Slide 13, which is to
expand the development of appropriately integrated systems to
monitor and communicate Arctic maritime information. He stated
that MXAK and the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) were
identified as the lead agencies for this recommendation. He
mentioned that a presentation from MXAK is scheduled later in
the committee meeting. He noted the map on Slide 13 showing the
major Arctic shipping routes; three of the routes converge in
the Bering Strait.
MR. LOGAN referred to Recommendation 2H on Slide 14, which is to
foster and strengthen international partnerships with other
Arctic nations and to establish bilateral partnerships with
Canada and Russia to address emerging opportunities and
challenges in the Arctic. He stated that the lead agencies for
this recommendation are the Office of International Trade,
Alaska's Congressional Delegation, U.S. DOS, and the President
of the United States. He referred to the Northeast Passage,
shown on the slide, and asserted that it is vitally important
not only because it is open for increased vessel traffic, but
because it reduces vessel transit by ten days and 10,000
kilometers. It represents savings for shipping to the Far East
and is increasingly being utilized.
MR. LOGAN referred to Slide 15, a repeat of Slide 3, to
emphasize that increased vessel traffic positions Alaska
uniquely. Vessels not calling on Alaska or U.S. ports are
considered innocent passage and are not subject to U.S. safety
prevention measures - increasingly a cause for concern.
11:47:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK mentioned that he viewed a digital video
disc (DVD) on the Northwest Passage. He said that the route
shown on the map on Slide 14 is one of the two routes that
explorers tried to find for many years. He relayed that he
learned from the DVD that 15-25 percent of the world's supply of
oil and natural gas is in that region.
11:48:20 AM
CHAIR WESTLAKE opened public testimony on HJR 19.
11:48:43 AM
WILLIAM HARRINGTON offered his congratulations on the intent and
timeliness of the proposed resolution. He offered that lines 9-
12, on page 2, of HJR 19, clearly state that Alaska's ability to
control other nations' Arctic oil and gas ventures is
nonexistent. He relayed that on April 19, 2017, British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Japan broadcasted a show
featuring Russian-Japanese collaboration to deliver Arctic gas
to Japan via huge Liquefied natural gas (LNG} tankers. He said
a $200 million Japanese investment was mentioned. He claimed it
was not possible to fully gauge the entire situation from this
reputable news source. He concluded that LNG tankers will ply
the Bering Strait and the Arctic if the Russian-Japanese
consortium has its way. He added that his modeling shows this
to be 12 to 15 years in the future. He urged that Alaska not
pursue a gas pipeline to tide water.
11:50:26 AM
CHAIR WESTLAKE closed public testimony on HJR 19.
11:50:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN relayed that when he worked with AAPC in
its first year, his office worked on infrastructure and wildlife
policies. He stated that regarding infrastructure, there was
much discussion on location of entry ports to the Arctic; both
Dutch Harbor and the Northwest region were considered. He asked
for an update on that issue.
11:51:34 AM
MR. LOGAN answered that the question is longstanding, especially
as it relates to a deep-water port, which does not exist north
of Dutch Harbor - 800 miles from the Arctic Circle. He said
that [the possibility of] a dual port in Nome and Port Clarence
was most recently identified by the federal government and the
Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). He mentioned that an earlier
HAET committee meeting provided an update on what Nome is doing
to bring the port to fruition. He said that Cape Blossom near
Kotzebue has also been considered. He opined that other
communities would undoubtedly wish to have a port as well.
MR. LOGAN stated that one of the final reviews of ACE concerning
the deep-water port in Nome specifically stated that without an
anchor tenant, such as oil and gas drilling in the Chukchi or
Beaufort Sea, a port there may not be economically viable. He
added that with the right kind of agreements with Russia for
vessel transiting, there may be opportunities for transiting
vessels to call on ports. He added that Adak has the capacity
to be a storage and distribution center for vessels with ice
navigation capabilities "to come down through the Northeast
Passage, drop their cargo in Adak, and move back and stay within
icy waters where other vessels can then distribute to either the
U.S. or to Asia."
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN asked for the locations of the U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG) ports in Alaska besides Kodiak.
MR. LOGAN responded that to the best of his knowledge Kodiak is
the main station, and USCG has temporary stations north of
Barrow and out of Kotzebue for Arctic exercises.
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN shared that Alaska's congressional
delegation has been working very hard to get a U.S. ice breaker,
which he hopes would be stationed in Alaska.
11:53:59 AM
CHAIR WESTLAKE announced that HJR 19 would be held over.
HJR 19-ARCTIC MARINE SAFETY AGREEMENTS
12:26:48 PM
CHAIR WESTLAKE announced that the final order of business would
be the return to HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Commending the
Arctic Waterways Safety Committee; supporting the adoption of
prevention measures into international agreements to ensure
clear, universal, and enforceable marine safety measures in the
Arctic; and urging the state's delegation in the United States
Congress and the governor to promote the adoption of spill
prevention measures into international agreements; urging the
President of the United States and the United States Department
of State to initiate negotiations to enter into international
agreements to ensure safe and environmentally responsible marine
operations in the Arctic.
12:26:52 PM
CHAIR WESTLAKE reopened public testimony on HJR 19.
12:27:05 PM
RACHAEL KALLANDER, Founder and Executive Director, Arctic
Encounter Symposium (AES), testified that AES is the largest
annual Arctic policy and economics symposium in the U.S. She
mentioned that AES just hosted the Fourth Annual Arctic
Encounter in Seattle on April 13 and 14; AES also hosted a group
of young Alaskans as part of its team. She relayed that AES
hosted Arctic Encounter in Paris last year during the United
Nations (UN) Convention on Climate Change, also referred to as
COP 21. She shared that there were stimulating discussions at
last week's symposium and expressed her belief that the proposed
resolution is timely. She mentioned that many Alaskans
participated in the conference. The conference speakers
included Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, Alaska U.S.
Representative Don Young, Ambassador [Geir H. Haarde] from
Iceland, Ambassador [Kre R. Aas] from Norway, and the former
Prime Minister of Greenland [Aleqa Hammond]. She said that all
were enthusiastic and optimistic to work with the State of
Alaska, the legislature, and Alaska's congressional delegation,
to "push forward" on many issues impacting the Arctic and the
people who live in the Arctic. She offered her support for HJR
19 and the efforts to raise awareness.
MS. KALLANDER stated that she wished to share the AES mission,
which is to gather together all the stakeholders to engage
challenges and debate solutions for responsible development,
sustainable environments, and healthy communities. She said
that she learned at last week's symposium that the stakeholders
have an opportunity and a responsibility to raise awareness
together. She said that she feels compelled to point out that
"we're in a time and place in history in which we really have to
innovate and advocate for the best future possible results."
She offered that there are many young Alaskans around the state
who are engaged in these issues. She emphasized the importance
of the committee's role in involving Alaskans in these issues
that will impact the future of the state. She offered the
assistance and support of AES for the committee's efforts.
12:30:30 PM
CHAIR WESTLAKE, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, reclosed public testimony on HJR 19.
[HJR 19 was held over.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Exchange Presentation.pdf |
HAET 4/20/2017 11:30:00 AM |
Marine Exchange of Alaska - Paul Fuhs & Captain Ed Page Presentation |
| HJR19 ver A.PDF |
HAET 4/20/2017 11:30:00 AM |
HJR 19 |
| HJR 19 Presentation.pdf |
HAET 4/20/2017 11:30:00 AM |
HJR 19 |