04/11/2000 09:05 AM Senate FIN

CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 235(TRA)                                                                                                 
"An Act authorizing the exchange of land between the                                                                            
Alaska Railroad Corporation and Eklutna, Inc., between                                                                          
the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the United States                                                                           
Department of the Army and the United States                                                                                    
Department of the Air Force, between the Alaska                                                                                 
Railroad Corporation and Chugach Alaska Corporation,                                                                            
and between the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the                                                                             
Municipality of Anchorage; authorizing the transfer of                                                                          
land between Alaska Railroad mileposts 133 and 134                                                                              
from the Alaska Railroad Corporation to certain named                                                                           
individuals; and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN, as sponsor to this legislation recommended                                                                       
the adoption of the work draft to SB 235, version "1-                                                                           
LS1282\S."  He explained that this legislation authorizes                                                                       
land exchanges between the Alaska Railroad, the Air Force                                                                       
and the Army through the base and post at Elmendorf and                                                                         
Fort Richardson, as well as Eklutna, Inc. closer to Eagle                                                                       
River, the Chugach Alaska Corporation, near Seward and the                                                                      
Municipality of Anchorage.  He continued that this                                                                              
legislation included a railroad track-straightening                                                                             
project, with the overall goal of maintaining a safer                                                                           
railroad while at the same time implementing upgrades that                                                                      
will reduce the travel time between Anchorage and Wasilla.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman continued that this project would cost from                                                                       
$45 to $60 million dollars.  He noted that the Senate                                                                           
Transportation Committee included a provision in the                                                                            
legislation that provided for the conveyance of slightly                                                                        
over five acres to private landowners in the Chugach area.                                                                      
He pointed out that these individuals would have received                                                                       
this land under federal law, but this legislation would                                                                         
accelerate this transfer.  He added that Article 2, on page                                                                     
4, was the proposed section providing for transfers between                                                                     
the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities and                                                                        
the railroad, primarily for the Potter to Girdwood section                                                                      
improvements including avalanche prevention upgrades.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman made a motion to adopt SB 235, version "1-                                                                        
LS1282\S as a work draft.  Hearing no objection this                                                                            
version was ADOPTED.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
WENDY LINDSKOOG, Alaska Railroad Corporation went on record                                                                     
to state that the railroad was in favor of SB 235.  She                                                                         
added that the railroad would like to commence construction                                                                     
this year.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman asked if there was some federal legislation                                                                       
that was necessary to authorize these changes as outlined.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Lindskoog confirmed that this was the case and that                                                                         
this federal legislation was moving along.  She noted that                                                                      
this legislative appropriation was expected to pass, while                                                                      
the railroad received a very positive vote on Proposition 2                                                                     
at the municipal level also.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman made a motion to move SB 235, version "1-                                                                         
LS1282\S" from Committee with individual recommendations                                                                        
and a zero fiscal note from the Alaska Railroad                                                                                 
Corporation.  Hearing no objection SB 235 was MOVED FROM                                                                        
COMMITTEE.