Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/02/2000 01:39 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 235-APPROVING TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND
SENATOR LOREN LEMAN, sponsor of SB 235, informed committee members
that SB 235 authorizes the ARRC to enter into several land
exchanges needed for a railroad track upgrade and realignment
project between the Port of Anchorage and Wasilla. The first phase
of the project will upgrade tracks as far as the Eagle River bridge
and includes lands held by the military on Elmendorf Air Force Base
and Ft. Richardson, the Municipality of Anchorage, and Eklutna,
Inc. One other parcel to be exchanged, north of Seward, is held by
the State of Alaska.
The benefits of the track upgrade project, which ARRC estimates to
cost $45 to $60 million, will be decreased travel time between
Anchorage and Wasilla which could result in commuter travel between
the two cities, and a safer track. Some of the existing track has
very sharp curves which the train must take at a slower speed. The
track upgrade is also expected to reduce maintenance costs and
could eventually result in reduced traffic on the Glenn Highway.
All parties are working together to come to an agreement on the
land transfer and he has encouraged them to work out any remaining
minor differences so that the project can proceed.
SENATOR LEMAN noted that the Alaska Visitors' Association, the
Chambers of Commerce of Palmer and Wasilla, the City of Wasilla,
the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, the Matanuska-
Susitna Commission and Visitors Bureau, and the Anchorage
Convention and Visitors Bureau support the bill. He proposed a
committee substitute that contains a few technical changes in the
land descriptions.
SENATOR PEARCE moved to adopt CSSB 235 (TRA) in lieu of the
original bill.
SENATOR LINCOLN objected and asked for a description of the changes
made in the committee substitute.
MR. MIKE PAULEY, aide to Senator Leman, explained that the first
change is on page 2, lines 1-5. New language was inserted after
the word "Eklutna, Inc." to more accurately describe the specific
lands that will be exchanged between ARRC and Eklutna. The initial
legislation was not specific and the language as written could have
authorized a transfer of any land owned by Eklutna, Inc. to ARRC.
The second change was made on page 2, line 18. The amount of
acreage was increased from 225 acres to 227 acres as the result of
a reassessment which indicated that 227 acres was the more accurate
figure.
CHAIRMAN WARD noted that representatives from ARRC and Eklutna,
Inc. were available via teleconference for questions.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked Bill Stoltz to present the amendment proposed
by Senator Halford.
MR. BILL STOLTZ, legislative aide to Senator Halford, noted Senator
Halford's amendment deals with three property owners in the
Birchwood Loop area whose concerns were presented through the
Birchwood Community Council. Two of the property owners are
considered pioneer residents in Birchwood who moved there about the
time the road was built. The third property owner is a long time
resident. According to ARRC personnel, if land is not transferred
to these individuals, it will revert to BLM.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked if Senator Halford's amendment is supported by
ARRC and acknowledged that ARRC staff were nodding in agreement.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if anyone else had signed up to testify to
the amendment.
CHAIRMAN WARD said no one has signed up.
WENDY LINDSKOOG, ARRC, verified that ARRC supports Senator
Halford's amendment.
SENATOR PEARCE moved to adopt Senator Halford's amendment (labeled
I.2) which reads as follows.
"APPROVAL OF THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE. (a) Contingent upon the approval
of the conveyance of affected municipal park land by the
voters of the Municipality of Anchorage, the Alaska Railroad
Corporation is authorized to convey the corporation's entire
interest in
(1) approximately 4.5 acres of railroad utility corridor
between railroad mileposts 133 and 134, within Township 15
North, Range 2 West, Sections 13 and 24, Seward Meridian, to
the Municipality of Anchorage in exchange for the conveyance
of approximately 13.6 acres of land in the same vicinity to
the corporation by the Municipality of Anchorage;
(2) approximately 5.1 acres of railroad utility corridor
between railroad mileposts 133 and 134, within Township 15
North, Range 2 West, Sections 13 and 24, Seward Meridian, to
Richard and Carol Drebert, Harry and Simone Thomson, and
Richard Moore or their personal representatives, successors,
or assigns; each to receive that portion of the railroad
utility corridor immediately adjacent to their respective
parcels of land."
There being no objection, Senator Halford's amendment was adopted.
SENATOR MILLER moved CSSB 235(TRA) from committee with individual
recommendations.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if anyone else signed up to testify.
CHAIRMAN WARD said there is not.
There being no objection, the motion to moved CSSB 235(TRA) from
committee carried.
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