Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/10/1998 04:35 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HJR 63 - ADAK AIRPORT Number 0318 CHAIR MASEK announced the committee would hear HJR 63, "Relating to support for Mitchell Field Adak airport," sponsored by Representative Moses. Number 0346 REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES came before the committee to explain the resolution. He said he submitted HJR 63 in hope of getting a special appropriation through Congress for the operation of the airport at Adak. Representative Moses stated that the operation of the airport is very important for the development and reuse of the community of Adak. There is a lot of justification for getting a special appropriation for the operation of the airport because the airport is needed by the Coast Guard, the Air Force and the Army. He noted a lot of different federal agencies have a need for the airport, but those agencies don't want to commit any of their own money as would affect their budget. Representative Moses said the airport is also very important for twin jets that fly to the Orient. There is a requirement that in order for twin jets to fly over water or on long flights, they have to be within a certain distance of an alternate airport or they can't fly that route. He asked for the support of the committee to pass the resolution. Number 0468 REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER pointed out that resolutions can take awhile to go through the various committees. He said if there isn't time for the resolution to go through all the committees of referral, he would be glad to be a signatory on a letter with other legislators if the resolution isn't passed. Number 0510 REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER questioned what the estimated annual operating expense is of the airport. REPRESENTATIVE MOSES responded that the amount is $750,000. He noted that is an estimated figure. Number 0534 REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA spoke in favor of HJR 63. She said she believes it is a good investment. Representative Nicholia said she was able to go to Sakhalin, Russia, and they stopped at Adak to see the airport. She said it is a really nice airport. Representative Nicholia informed the committee members that a new oil pipeline is just being started in Sakhalin. There are Russian regions that are very interested in trading and getting more economic development projects in conjunction with Alaska's participation. They are opening a bridge to their country in order to bridge Alaska and Russia together to produce economic development. She noted that Alaska even has a training center in Sakhalin in order to train Russians to work on their pipeline. She stated she believes HJR 63 helps to further Alaska's economic development process. Number 0656 CHRISTOPHER GATES, Executive Director, Adak Reuse Corporation, testified via teleconference from Anchorage. He noted the Adak Reuse Corporation is a corporation of regional representatives, including the Aleut Corporation and others, who have been designated by the federal government and the state government to plan and implement the reuse of the former Naval Air Facility Adak. He stated they have prepared some extensive comments in support of HJR 63 which talks about the lives that would be saved, the fisheries that would be enhanced, the international air carrier operations from Europe to Asia that would be allowed to proceed, the research and development in the Bering Sea, fishery enforcement issues, Western Alaska restoration, Adak restoration, and the Russian commerce that is possible with Adak. He said this is a very important airport for the state of Alaska. It is also very important regional airport for Atka. Mr. Gates emphasized that the community of Atka, located 70 miles east of Adak, could not receive essential air service without the instrument airport being functional and operating at Adak. It would impact a number of communities if Adak goes out of business as a regional instrument flight rules (IFR) airport. He thanked Representative Moses for introducing the resolution. Number 0818 VINCE TUTIAKOFF, Manager, Adak Reuse; Chairman, Aleut Corporation, testified via teleconference from Adak. He said it is very important that the Adak Airport be funded through HJR 63. It is also import to recognize that the airport is important to the state of Alaska. He said there are approximately 200 citizens of Alaska working at Adak. Mr. Tutiakoff pointed out that Adak provides the community of Atka with freight service. It is important for search and rescue operations, supply and emergency landing operations for international carriers as well as within the state of Alaska. Adak is important for the fisheries and the enforcement that needs to be done in the area. Mr. Tutiakoff pointed out that they have had a lot of contact with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and fish and game vessels in the area. If the base wasn't operational, they would not be able to do crew transfers and get their groceries. Number 0970 AGAFON KRUKOFF, Mayor Elect; Chairman, Adak Community Council, testified via teleconference from Adak. He said the community is currently working towards the incorporation of Adak as a second class city. He stated that he strongly supports the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for Adak. Mr. Krukoff said that the people registered to vote in the community are thinking globally and internationally. The airport is highly beneficial for the further development of the state of Alaska. He thanked the committee members for their support. Number 1042 GEORGE SPEAKE, Manager, Adak Airfield, testified via teleconference from Adak. He stated that not only is the Adak Airport important to the state of Alaska, but it is also important internationally. There are a lot of heavy aircraft that fly over that rely on Adak as a divert airfield. Mr. Speake informed the committee members that about four weeks ago he spoke with the customer service representative for Alaska, from the Federal Aviation Administration, who meets with the oceanic working group. He said he had the representative pose the question to the oceanic working group of what would happen if Adak was no longer available to them. The response was unanimously that they would have to change their routes and it would cost them $1 million. Mr. Speake said he would also like to mention that they have about nine medivac missions, the most recent being a boat that was in distress and had a injured person on board. He referred to the IFR requirements for the airfield and said if the Adak Airport had not been open, that injured person would have not gotten off the ship and would have possibly died. Number 1125 CHAIR MASEK said the resolution asks Congress to appropriate funding to the FAA to keep the Adak Airport operational. She asked if the state of Alaska will maintain the airport. REPRESENTATIVE MOSES said he expects the FAA to provide the funds for the state to operate the airport. They will probably require the normal participation by the state with non-federal funds. Number 1191 MITCH FERGUSON, Station Manager, Reeve Airways, Adak, testified via teleconference from Adak. He informed the committee that he receives calls on a weekly basis from several aircraft operation companies with questions regarding the airfield at Adak. Their concerns are that it would be detrimental to their operations to not have a working airfield at Adak. It is not only a benefit for the state of Alaska, but it is a benefit internationally. Number 1228 REPRESENTATIVE JOE RYAN asked Mr. Ferguson if Adak is on the great circle route to the Far East. MR. FERGUSON answered in the affirmative. He said they are one hour north. Number 1250 CHAIR MASEK said there is a short video about the airport and it is available for any committee members wishing to see it. Number 1280 REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER moved and asked unanimous consent to pass HJR 63 out of committee with the attached fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 63 moved out of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
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