03/02/2000 01:39 PM Senate TRA

          SJR 38-ALASKA CANADA RAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. KARA MORIARTY, legislative aide to Senator Wilken, sponsor of                                                               
SJR 38, explained that the measure expresses support for a                                                                      
cooperative United States-Canada feasibility study on extending the                                                             
North American rail system through British Columbia and the Yukon                                                               
to Alaska.  SJR 38 came about as a result of a conference held in                                                               
Vancouver in January, sponsored by Representative Jeanette James                                                                
who has sponsored companion legislation in the House, HJR 51.  At                                                               
the conference, government officials from both the United States                                                                
and Canada, business leaders, mining and transportation specialists                                                             
and other consultants met to discuss the concept of extending the                                                               
North American rail system through Canada to Alaska.  They                                                                      
discussed the benefits of a safe, reliable, cost-efficient and                                                                  
environmentally friendly railroad link and formulated support for                                                               
the completion of a feasibility study to look over the costs and                                                                
effects of this project.  The feasibility study is the first step                                                               
in beginning the process of connecting the North American rail                                                                  
system to Alaska.  Senator Frank Murkowski supports a bilateral                                                                 
commission made up of representatives from both the United States                                                               
and Canada to provide an in-depth study that would talk about the                                                               
best route, engineering and construction costs, and other potential                                                             
freight and passenger loads.  Senator Murkowski has drafted                                                                     
legislation to authorize the bilateral commission, which should be                                                              
introduced in Congress within one to two weeks.  If it passes, it                                                               
will then go to the Canadian government for approval.  The                                                                      
Fairbanks Industrial Development Corporation supports SJR 38, as                                                                
does the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC).                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. PAM LABOLLE, President of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce,                                                             
stated support for SJR 38.  The State Chamber helped host the                                                                   
conference in Vancouver.  Participants were very enthusiastic about                                                             
the potential economic development that may occur in Alaska,                                                                    
British Columbia, and the Yukon should this project come to                                                                     
fruition.  The State Chamber is very committed to any project that                                                              
will further economic development in Alaska, and asks the                                                                       
Legislature to support this resolution.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
There being no further discussion or questions, SENATOR MILLER                                                                  
moved SJR 38 out of committee with individual recommendations.                                                                  
There being no objection, the motion carried.