01/29/1998 01:30 PM Senate TRA

                                                                               
               SB 251 - NAMING HERMAN LEIRER ROAD                              
                                                                               
SENATOR JOHN TORGERSON, sponsor, stated SB 251 is a straightforward            
piece of legislation honoring Herman Leirer, a long-time Seward                
resident, for his involvement in the construction and maintenance              
of a road to the Exit Glacier.  SB 251 names that road Herman                  
Leirer Road.                                                                   
                                                                               
SENATOR GREEN commended Senator Torgerson on the sectional analysis            
of the bill.                                                                   
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN WARD noted Senator Wilken had arrived.                                
                                                                               
BOB SATIN, Mayor of Seward, testified that Mr. Leirer was a pillar             
of the community in many ways but primarily in his willingness to              
put forth much effort and time constructing a road through                     
Resurrection Valley to the Exit Glacier.  That glacier has since               
been accessed by over one million visitors.  Mr. Satin explained,              
as a National Park Ranger and geologist, he leads interpretive                 
tours to the Exit Glacier and is reminded daily that Mr. Leirer                
made the access possible.  The residents of Seward believe the name            
designation is a fitting recognition of Mr. Leirer's contribution,             
and will be a lasting memorial.                                                
                                                                               
SENATOR WILKEN asked Mr. Satin the name of the compressed ice layer            
at the bottom of glaciers.  MR. SATIN answered it is named the                 
"basal" layer and explained that one theory of glacial movement is             
that the enormous amount of pressure at the bottom of a glacier                
prevents water from freezing.  The thin layer of liquid water at               
the base allows the glacier to move.  The National Park Service                
inserted a radio transmitter about 12+ meters into the glacial mass            
to determine the internal rate of movement of the ice mass of the              
Exit Glacier.  Transmitter readings show the glacier has moved                 
about 1 inch per hour which has amounted to 531 feet in two years.             
                                                                               
SENATOR WILKEN asked why the sponsor did not want to rename the                
Exit Glacier after Mr. Leirer.  MR. SATIN explained an expedition              
crossing the Harding icefield was looking for a suitable place to              
get off, and used that glacier as an exit, hence the name.  MR.                
SATIN said the name confuses tourists who cannot find the entrance             
road to the glacier, since there is only one sign that says "Exit              
Glacier."                                                                      
                                                                               
There being no further testimony on SB 251, SENATOR WILKEN moved to            
advance SB 251 to its next committee of referral with individual               
recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note.  There being no             
objection, the motion carried.                                                 
                                                                               
Number 135