Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
02/26/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Launch Alaska Update | |
| SB47 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 47-CHUGACH STATE PARK EASEMENTS
4:17:47 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 47 "An Act relating to Chugach
State Park; and providing for an effective date."
4:18:40 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.
4:18:46 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt the committee substitute
(CS) for SB 47, work order 34-LS0179\G, as the working document.
4:18:57 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL objected for the purpose of discussion.
4:19:10 PM
PAIGE BROWN, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the explanation of changes
for and answered questions on CSSB 47, work order 34-LS0179\G:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Explanation of Changes
Senate Resources CS for Senate Bill 47
Version A to Version G
"An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing
for an effective date."
The committee substitute adopts the following changes:
Section 1, page 1, lines 6-7
Deletes "and control of highway access and".
Section 2, page 2, lines 8-10
Adds language confining the purpose of an easement or
right-of-way within Chugach State Park to repairing,
maintaining, and constructing roads and related
facilities.
Section 2, page 2, lines 11-17
Adds 4 additional requirements for a municipality to
obtain an easement or right-of-way if:
1. The easement or right-of-way is requested by the
municipality.
2. The municipality pays for all costs DNR may
require obtaining an easement or right-of-way.
3. The municipality assumes the duty of maintaining
the easement or right-of-way, and any constructed
facilities.
4. The duration of the easement or right-of-way is
set in the easement.
4:20:05 PM
MS. BROWN said SB 47, version G, was the result of collaboration
with the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage Department of
Parks, the [Alaska] Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
Division of Parks and the DNR Division of Mining, Land and
Water, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOTPF), and the Department of Law (DOL).
4:20:24 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted representatives of the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and the Department of Law (DOL) were available
to answer questions.
4:21:07 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked whether the state would be giving the
municipality the right to pursue a mining or timber harvest
easement under the provisions of SB 47.
4:21:54 PM
CHRISTOPHER ORMAN, Natural Resources Attorney, Department of Law
(DOL), Juneau, Alaska, clarified the intent of SB 47. He said
Section 2(b) would authorize the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) to create an easement or right of way within Chugach State
Park for road repair, maintenance, and construction. He noted
that while there might be secondary implications, such as soil
or gravel removal, the primary focus was on easements for road-
related activities.
4:23:01 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI quoted from SB 47, Section 1, page 1, lines
four - six: "Except as provided by (b) and (c) of this section,
control, development, and maintenance of [THE] state land and
water described in AS 41.21.121 as the Chugach State Park and
control of roadside structures within the park is assigned to
the department". He noted that [lines] four and five seemed
broad. He asked whether it was Mr. Orman's opinion that the
easements for right of way would be limited to roads and related
facilities within the park.
4:23:49 PM
MR. ORMAN affirmed that it was his interpretation. He noted that
Section 1 page 1, lines four and five led to Section 1(b) and
Section 1(b) provided the exception limiting [the right of way]
for purposes of repairing, maintaining and constructing roads.
4:24:11 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL invited Mr. Gease to comment on the questions.
4:24:22 PM
RICKY GEASE, Director, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation,
Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage, Alaska concurred
with Mr. Orman and said DNR endorsed SB 47, version G.
4:24:48 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SB 47.
4:25:10 PM
CHRIS BECK, Coordinator, Alaska Trails Initiative, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified with concerns on SB 47. He said he supported
SB 47 which was intended to improve access to Alaska's Chugach
State Park. He emphasized the need for a broad definition of
"access" in the bill to include roads, parking areas, and
facilities, and explained that this would align better with
Anchorage municipality voters' intent. He highlighted the
economic impact of extending visitors' stays, noting that an
extra day could generate $250 million annually. He urged the
passage of SB 47 to facilitate the comprehensive use of funds
for access improvements, thereby enhancing the park's appeal and
Alaska's economy.
4:28:47 PM
DIANA RHOADES Director of Programs, Anchorage Park Foundation,
Anchorage, Alaska, expressed her support for SB 47 with concern
that broader language would allow for voter expectations of the
anticipated improvements to the Chugach access service area.
4:29:30 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL closed public testimony on SB 47.
CHAIR GIESSEL directed Ms. Brown to respond to concerns
expressed by stating the intent of SB 47.
4:29:42 PM
MS. BROWN said the intent of SB 47 was to allow the municipality
of Anchorage to bond for improvements, specifically to Canyon
Road, but also where the Anchorage municipality and Chugach
State Park met. She said the committee substitute included
language that would allow repair, maintenance, and construction
of roads and related facilities. She concluded that [the
language] should cover the potential improvements intended by
the Anchorage Bond.
4:30:29 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL said the original goal of SB 47 was to repair and
maintain a section of Canyon Road that is in poor condition. She
noted that the municipality sought to install a small gravel pad
for equipment parking, with potential future use for public
parking. She asserted that the limited right of way would
require Commissioner approval, as stated in SB 47 and she
emphasized the public interest in improved park access. She said
SB 47 would not allow for the establishment of amusement
facilities by the municipality.
4:32:11 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said the language of SB 47 was broad enough to
cover parking lots and potentially paved trails from the parking
area up to the trailhead, etc. He appreciated that SB 47 allowed
flexibility to address the Canyon Road issue as well as future
issues. He opined that the drafting of [SB 47, version G] also
addressed the concerns raised by the public testimony. He also
affirmed the provision in SB 47 allowing the future renewal of
the easement and flexibility among the different government
entities involved.
4:33:39 PM
SENATOR HUGHES commended the cooperation and collaboration
evident in the development and refinement of SB 47.
[CHAIR GIESSEL removed her objection. She found no further
objection and CSSB 47 was adopted.]
4:34:00 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL solicited the will of the committee.
4:34:05 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report CSSB 47, work order 34-
LS0179\G, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:34:23 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL found no objection and CSSB 47 was reported from
the Senate Resources Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 47 Explanation of Changes Version A to G.pdf |
SRES 2/26/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| G.pdf |
SRES 2/26/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| 2.26.25 Alaska Senate Resources Sage Geosystems Overview.pdf |
SRES 2/26/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| 2.26.25 Senate Resources Committee Cache AK Overview.pdf |
SRES 2/26/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| 2.26.25 Senate Resources Committee Launch Alaska Overview.pdf |
SRES 2/26/2025 3:30:00 PM |