Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/19/2007 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB170 | |
| HB176 | |
| SB123 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 176
An Act creating the Fort Rousseau Causeway State
Historical Park.
CLIFF STONE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, testified
that HB 176 would create the Fort Rousseau Causeway State
Historical Park. He pointed out that the fiscal note is
small in the amount of $16 thousand dollars.
HB 176 establishes the park with the corresponding language
for the management and uses within its boundaries.
· Section 1 - Legislative findings
· Section 2 - Clarifies the purpose & management
responsibilities
Mr. Stone added that the creation of the park is consistent
with the establishment of parks, as it promotes growth and
development and provides opportunities for citizens and
visitors alike.
1:59:01 PM
Vice Chair Stoltze noted that the Legislature has taken a
philosophical position of not adding new parks. He inquired
how long it has been since a State park was created. Mr.
Stone remembered that the Afognak State Park was the last
and established in 1990.
Vice Chair Stoltze worried about adding more State parks,
and hoped to see more single-use lands, opened up for
multiple uses & development. He acknowledged that HB 176
was fairly benign.
REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, SPONSOR, noted her appreciation
for scheduling a hearing on the bill.
2:01:38 PM
Co-Chair Meyer shared concerns voiced by Vice Chair Stoltze,
locking up lands, making them unavailable for development &
private ownership. He realized that the land requested has
historical advantage.
Mr. Stone stated that the Army Corp of Engineers, with the
onset of World War II, connected about seven islands,
placing tons of material, making a causeway connecting them.
There are now several concrete buildings with gun
emplacements still standing. The plan is to offer the park
as a destination to tourists. He believed that with
controlled management, it would be more adaptable to tourist
trade.
2:04:50 PM
Representative Wilson spoke about the actual property,
noting that it had been a defense sight for Alaska and Sitka
during that war.
Representative Thomas commented on the inadequate road
maintenance in several of the State parks in his district.
He emphasized for the record that he was "jealous" of
providing funding for a park in Sitka.
2:07:01 PM
DEBORAH LYONS, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, SITKA TRAIL WORKS, SITKA, testified in favor of HB
176, an Act creating the Fort Rousseau Causeway Historical
State Park. Sitka Trail Works has over 300 member-
households and is in a partnership Memorandum of Agreement
with the City and Borough of Sitka.
Ms. Lyons pointed out that Sitka Trail Works is taking the
initiative to find funds to help restore the historic Fort
Rousseau for the public benefit. It is important that the
capital investment being made into historic Fort Rousseau is
protected and conserved through permanent management of the
area, which having a State park status provides.
The idea of the project would be to renovate the 8,000 foot
causeway road as a hiking trail to view the historic World
War II structures. Visitors to the park would learn about
Alaska's role in World War II, while enjoying a spectacular
scenic setting. She summarized the financial plan.
For the record, Ms. Lyons reiterated the goals and
objectives, which are included in the Fort Rousseau
Development plan. The plan lays out the development
objectives and goes on to estimate the approximate revenues
that could be earned from tours on the site. Revenues would
pay for future maintenance and hopefully generate enough
revenue to support other State Parks in the system.
Ms. Lyons outlined the project development goals:
· Restore local recreational opportunities
· Preserve and interpret State and national history
· Provide a quality visitor experience, compatible
with community values
· Honor and accommodate Sitka Tribe of Alaska concerns
Ms. Lyons continued highlighting the objectives:
· Make the area clean, safe and accessible so that it
can be enjoyed in its present state.
· Perform the necessary environmental, cultural and
historic surveys and site mapping to document
current conditions.
· Produce a site plan and an interpretation plan to
guide the capital investment and development of the
area.
· Secure the capital investments needed to install the
dock & interpretative signage, complete historic
building restoration, construct visitor
center/administration building, and repair portions
of the causeway road.
Ms. Lyons noted that Senator Stevens specifically named the
World War II Causeway project as eligible to apply for
federal funding. In 2005, the area was awarded a grant of
$140.7 thousand dollars to begin work renovating the
causeway. She pointed out that $60 thousand dollars of that
grant had been given to the State of Alaska, Department of
Natural Resources and the State Historic Preservation
office, to pay for the necessary site mapping and cultural
resources survey and inventory. Another $14 thousand
dollars was used for Phase I, an environmental assessment to
determine current levels of hazardous materials. The
remainder of the Alaska Trail Initiative grant funds was
used to pay for clean up of the causeway.
Ms. Lyons urged passage of the bill.
Vice Chair Stoltze pointed out that Haines does not receive
cruise ship traffic like Sitka. He proposed that some of
the proceeds from the park help support Fort Seward in
Haines. Ms. Lyons understood that any collected revenues
from the State park, would go into the General Fund, to be
used for all statewide parks. She hoped that the park would
be successful and be able to raise revenue to sustain
itself.
2:14:11 PM
BRIAN HANSEN, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, SITKA TRAIL WORKS, SITKA, testified in support
for establishing the State park in Sitka. He encouraged
that the area be saved as a historical & cultural park.
2:17:01 PM
MARLENE CAMPBELL, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), GOVERNMENT
RELATION DIRECTOR, CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA, noted the
Advisory Board and the citizens of Sitka have been working
on getting the causeway into some kind of protective status.
To date, it has been passively managed by the Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities and has fallen into
disrepair. Local citizens have attempted to develop it as a
part of the City; however, the only vehicle to protect the
treasure, would be through the State park system. She
emphasized that it is not controversial in Sitka.
Ms. Campbell commented that the park is unique as a historic
site and consists of 58 acres of connected little islands
with trails between the areas. The future of the causeway
will be bright if State Parks does assume it. She urged
passage of the project through the bill.
2:20:02 PM
HARVEY BRANDT, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), RETIRED
HISTORY TEACHER, SITKA, urged passage of the bill. He
commented that action would acknowledge the importance of
the greatest naval battle in the history of America. He
worried about the deterioration of the facility. He
guaranteed that it would be used only as a park.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED
2:22:35 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked if additional funding would be
required. Mr. Stone explained that funds had been approved
by the U.S. Department of Transportation appropriation for
$200 thousand dollars this fiscal year.
Co-Chair Meyer questioned if there would be capital costs to
the State. Mr. Stone did not know of any capital requests.
Vice Chair Stoltze asked about prohibiting incompatible land
and water uses.
MELANIE LESH, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES, explained that the existing uses for the park
would be allowed, as opposed to a public use area, which
offers greater allowances for multiple uses. State parks do
restrict uses.
Vice Chair Stoltze noted that he preferred multi-use
designations for parks; however, thought that the concept
could work well for Sitka since they cannot log or mine in
that area. Mr. Stone provided an example of an incompatible
use, discharging firearms. Vice Chair Stoltze inquired
about access without a permit.
2:27:52 PM
Representative Thomas asked if the park could be created
before the land was transferred from the Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities to the Department of
Natural Resources. Ms. Lesh explained that it could be with
the legal description contained in the proposed legislation.
The bill authorizes the transfer. There are questions
regarding the ownership of the causeway portion of lands.
She pointed out that the Department is in an inner-agency
land transfer arrangement, which can take a long time.
MICHAEL EBERHARDT, SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTHWAST, DIVISION OF
PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES, explained that currently, the land is State owned
and is classified. If it were not State land, the action of
the Legislature could automatically revert it to the
Department of Natural Resources. The Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities and the Department of
Natural Resources transfer would be strictly internal.
2:30:55 PM
Representative Kelly asked if there was a list of the
current uses for that land. Mr. Eberhardt explained that
there have been many public meetings in Sitka discussing
public uses; however, there is no list. He hoped to create
a management plan. The Sitka Trail Works has come up with
some non-consumptive uses. Creating a prohibitive use list
is not taken lightly. Issues that could change would be
commercial use. Permitting use for commercial gain would be
administered through the Department.
Representative Kelly asked about less restrictive categories
like recreational use. Mr. Eberhardt did not know.
Representative Kelly worried about the people using the
areas in other ways that could become restricted through
passage of the bill.
2:34:00 PM
Representative Wilson explained that because the area is so
close to the airport, no hunting has ever been allowed.
She did not anticipate a lot happening that previously had
not happened before because of the airport location. To
date, there has been no commercial use. The intent is to
make it a tour spot location. The anticipated income should
be more than the requested funding.
Mr. Stone acknowledged that a State park versus recreational
area was a valid point. Ms. Campbell commented that the
State Park Advisory Board looked at all the options and
determined that a recreational area would not be appropriate
for the historical site. The area contains tremendous
assets and it needs to be maintained. There are many
buildings on the eight islands. She commented on the
deterioration on the structures on the islands. The City
did not pursue the recreational site, as the management
would not enable the City to take care of the historical
structures. She stressed that the area is small and
specialized as a historical site.
2:39:39 PM
Vice Chair Stoltze noted that he did have concerns with the
"restrictive use" of the land but that he would not hold the
bill up. He wanted to know that people understand what they
are getting into with State park management.
Representative Thomas echoed concerns mentioned by Vice
Chair Stoltze. He referenced troubles in his area with
traditional use prohibitions.
Representative Foster noted that he had no State parks in
his area; however, the federal park rangers in his area do
not work well with the locals because they carry weapons.
He asked if a State park ranger always carries a weapon.
Mr. Eberhardt replied that when they are on duty, they do at
all times. They are required to by the State Troopers in
order to assist in law enforcement activities.
Representative Foster worried about guns being carried.
Representative Crawford applauded the intent of the
legislation and the preservation of the historical sight.
Representative Kelly echoed sentiments of Representative
Foster about gun carrying officers.
2:48:22 PM
Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT CS HB 176 (RES) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 176 (RES) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with fiscal note #1 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
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