03/09/1993 08:00 AM House STA

  HJR 18:  ESTABLISH FISHING COMMUNITY AT ADAK                                 
                                                                               
  Number 018                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title to HJR 18 and invited its                      
  sponsor, Representative Carl Moses, to the table for his                     
  comments.                                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 024                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES, PRIME SPONSOR of HJR 18, outlined                 
  the intent of HJR 18, that being to establish the rights of                  
  private fishermen to utilize the harbors and facilities of                   
  Adak Naval Air Station.  He reminded members fishermen had                   
  access to Finger Bay at Adak 15 years ago, and said allowing                 
  them use of the facilities again would aid the industry.                     
                                                                               
  Number 050                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked Representative Moses if any additional                  
  information on the federal government's intentions for Adak                  
  was available.                                                               
                                                                               
  Number 058                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MOSES stated Adak faced a 10% reduction in                    
  1993, and that $30 million in contracts for expansion had                    
  been cancelled in the fall of 1992.                                          
                                                                               
  Number 068                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if there was any news regarding the                     
  Congressional Base Closure Committee's intentions.                           
                                                                               
  Number 070                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MOSES stated Adak was not mentioned in the                    
  latest round of closures.                                                    
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER asked if the intent of HJR 18 was                  
  for eventual state ownership of the facilities or just                       
  access to them.                                                              
                                                                               
  Number 080                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MOSES hoped for access to the harbor and that                 
  access to tie-ups would be beneficial to the fishing                         
  community.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Number 100                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE ULMER asked if the Navy had been contacted.                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MOSES replied in the negative.                                
                                                                               
  Number 109                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE HARLEY OLBERG asked about the restrictions                    
  placed on vessels coming to Adak.                                            
                                                                               
  Number 111                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MOSES explained boats could not enter the                     
  harbor except for emergencies.  He hoped to regain access to                 
  docks, as well as commissary privileges for crews.                           
                                                                               
  Number 135                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE OLBERG asked the status of land claims by the                 
  regional Native corporation.                                                 
                                                                               
  Number 140                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MOSES stated to his knowledge, all claims had                 
  been made, but the potential for land exchanges between                      
  corporations and the government were always possible.                        
                                                                               
  Number 165                                                                   
                                                                               
  VICE CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT expressed concern over the message                   
  sent to the Defense Department.  He stated it seemed                         
  Alaskans might be conceding the closure of Adak.  He also                    
  asked if there was any fiscal impact with allowing a fishing                 
  community.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Number 182                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MOSES noted the community at Adak was already                 
  developed, with a harbor, as well as the infrastructure of a                 
  modern city.                                                                 
                                                                               
  Number 192                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE GARY DAVIS MOVED passage of HJR 18 from                       
  committee.  There being no objections, HJR 18 was PASSED by                  
  a 7-0 vote.