Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 17
03/16/2010 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB357 | |
| HB267 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 357 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 267 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 257 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 267-SNOW MACHINE USE IN DALTON HWY CORRIDOR
2:19:57 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 267, "An Act relating to travel by snow
machine within five miles of the right-of-way of the James
Dalton Highway."
2:21:47 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON reported that she has assigned a subcommittee
for HB 267, consisting of Representative Johnson, Petersen, and
T. Wilson, chaired by Representative T. Wilson. The
subcommittee will report back to full committee, she stated.
2:22:37 PM
MARY SIROKY, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
explained that the DOT&PF experts on the Dalton Highway are not
available today. She stated that the DOT&PF is not opposed to
access in the Dalton Highway Corridor, but doing so would
present additional challenges for the department. Opening up
the Dalton Highway would create potential conflicts between
commercial truckers who move goods and services and recreational
users. One area of conflict would be the roadside pullouts
since currently not many pullouts could accommodate commercial
trucks, DOT&PF vehicles, and recreational users. The DOT&PF
requires these pullouts to use as turnarounds to move equipment
between the maintenance camps. She related the only pullout
really large enough for commercial trucks, the DOT&PF use, and
recreational use is located at Franklin Bluff on the north side
of Atigun Pass. In response to Chair P. Wilson, she indicated
her understanding that access would stop at Coldfoot. Franklin
Bluff is located about 50 to 75 miles north of Atigun Pass,
which is about 350 miles north of the Yukon River.
2:25:07 PM
MS. SIROKY commented that the DOT&PF will prepare a map for the
subcommittee to show the location and size of the existing
pullouts. She highlighted issues the subcommittee may wish to
consider as it deliberates on HB 267. The DOT&PF uses high-
speed plows to maintain the Dalton Highway. Thus, the DOT&PF is
concerned about anyone who may park alongside the Dalton
Highway. The DOT&PF has a responsibility to plow the roads and
the pullouts and cannot be held responsible for any vehicles
that get "plowed in." She anticipated the types of complaints
the DOT&PF would likely receive if motorists had to spend hours
digging their vehicle out of snow berms. She pointed out that
the only emergency responders currently available to assist
motorists if an accident were to occur is the DOT&PF and the
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. She explained that any
increased time spent assisting motorists would take time away
from DOT&PF's road maintenance duties. Another issue that could
arise is the need to supply gasoline to motorists who run out of
gas. In fact, the DOT&PF does not currently have the means to
collect money for fuel, she stated. Finally, in the event of
construction for a natural gas pipeline, the DOT&PF expects
traffic to increase dramatically. The anticipated schedule for
road construction would be in the next three to five years to
assist with gearing up to haul goods. She thought that all of
these issues could be solved, although some issues may take some
time to resolve.
2:28:00 PM
MS. SIROKY, in response to Representative Johnson, explained
that the DOT&PF has seven camps located about every 60 miles
along the Dalton Highway between Livengood and Deadhorse. In
further response to Representative Johnson, she explained that
typically two to four people live at each camp, including a
mechanic and equipment operator.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked whether the DOT&PF would allow
people to park at the camps.
MS. SIROKY answered no. In further response to Chair P. Wilson,
she related that she did not know whether the camps are posted
to prohibit trespassing. She pointed out that the DOT&PF is
responsible for its equipment, but she did not recall if the
camps were gated. She recalled that the camp at Chandalar is
open.
2:29:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked if it would simplify matters to
create a corridor for parking. He asked if seven access
corridors were created with parking, safety, and rescue
capabilities, whether it would solve some of the problems.
MS. SIROKY offered to consider and discuss this solution with
the DOT&PF personnel to identify any conflicts. She thought one
issue that could arise would be if too many people wanted to use
the area. She suggested the subcommittee may want to consider
limiting the number of people who could use the Dalton Highway
Corridor.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether the campground at Arctic
Circle could be used.
MS. SIROKY responded that the visitor center is not open in the
winter so she speculated that the campground is not maintained
during the winter. She noted that the campground is not far
from Coldfoot, where many resources are available.
2:32:05 PM
BRIAN PERSON, Ph.D., Wildlife Biologist, Department of Wildlife
Management, North Slope Borough (NSB), stated the NSB is opposed
to allowing any part of the five-mile corridor along the Dalton
Highway for the use of snowmachines. This highway was
originally established to allow production of and service of oil
and gas facilities. The Dalton Highway was closed to public use
due to the broad justifiable concerns over issues relating to
wildlife harassment, user conflicts, wildlife violation
concerns, pipeline security concerns, search and rescue
responsibility, and traffic issues. These visions were legally
challenged and ultimately overturned, but not without retaining
some insights for the original plan to protect the land, the
wildlife resource, and the people that traditionally have
depended upon the use of the resources. This bill clearly
disrupts these protections without any consideration for fiscal
impacts to the Alaska State Troopers and DOT&PF. He pointed out
some misinformation given during testimony. He reported that
the Central Arctic Caribou Herd is not over 80,000 in
population, but is approximately 67,000. Further, there is not
any evidence that suggests the herd has exceeded its carrying
capacity or exhausted its range or resources. In fact, passing
HB 267 would displace caribou from its winter range, effectively
restricting its range. The Central Arctic Caribou Herd is in
good health, with over an 80 percent parturition rate and high
calf survival. He offered that energetic demands of wildlife in
the winter and snowmachine harassment to musk oxen and caribou
would be problems. He concluded by stating that he has been
fighting similar bills for the last six or seven years. He
said, "It's just frustrating to see the state with a long chain
of broken promises." He urged members not to open the Dalton
Highway Corridor. He suggested that people have access to these
lands and many people truly enjoy the Dalton Highway Corridor
and the surrounding land.
2:35:11 PM
LISA HUGHES, Legislative Liaison, Northern Alaska Environmental
Center (NAEC), stated that the NAEC does not support HB 267.
She stated that the Dalton Highway Corridor has been closed
since the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
(TAPS). This bill would violate a longstanding commitment to
protect wildlife and subsistence use in the North Slope. The
Dalton Highway was built for industrial purposes and not
recreational use. The Dalton Highway supplies the North Slope
oil fields, access to the TAPS, countless mining operations, and
a provides a take-off point for commercial guides and tour
operators. The road conditions in the winter also provide the
trucking industry with the best opportunity to haul heavy loads
to Prudhoe Bay. Increased traffic and abandoned snowmachine
trailers along the Dalton Highway would pose a serious hazard
for industrial truck traffic. None of the industries mentioned
are in favor of allowing motorized recreational use in the
Dalton Highway Corridor. She asked for an assessment of the
fiscal impact since there is a complete lack of emergency and
public safety services in this region. She stated that HB 267
would require increased funding for the Alaska Department of
Fish & Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation and law
enforcement such as the Alaska State Troopers (AST). The DOT&PF
would need to pave, build parking lots, and create additional
roadside pullouts. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) would
need additional funds to reinstate a year-round AST in Coldfoot.
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center urges the legislature
to honor its commitment to protect wildlife and subsistence, as
well as provide a safer environment for industries and user
groups that use this area. She urged members not to pass HB
267.
2:37:47 PM
REBECCA BENSON stated that she resides at Mineral Lake, Alaska.
She testified in opposition to HB 267. She stated that her
family has hunted in the region for many years. The opportunity
to hunt in the area without competing with mechanized hunters is
unparalleled since almost all other hunts allow snowmachine use
or other off-road vehicles, which have resulted in shorter
hunting periods. She predicted that if the Dalton Highway
Corridor is opened, that the hunting opportunities will
deteriorate. She predicted that the hunts would resemble the
Forty-mile and Nelchina hunts, especially since the bag limit in
the Dalton Highway area was recently increased to five caribou.
She related that the Forty-mile hunt is a registration hunt,
easily accessible by off-road vehicles (ORV). The Forty-mile
hunt is typically open for three to four days. Last year the
harvest quota was exceeded by a large margin, which resulted in
further restrictions. She suggested that opening the Dalton
Highway Corridor to snowmachine use would create problems.
Proponents argue that most of the state is open to snowmachines
with little damage. However, this statement ignores that non-
motorized hunters are being excluded from those areas. The hunt
off the Dalton Highway is quite popular among hunters and people
who ski, walk, snowshoe, canoe or dogsled in the area. Some say
this area is not available to average Alaskan, but she said she
hoped that most Alaskans can still walk five miles.
2:39:29 PM
ROBERT CAYWOOD said that he has hunted off snowmachines and he
thinks all Alaskans should be allowed to use area.
2:40:01 PM
STEVE FLORY said he keeps hearing "not in my backyard." He
related that a huge expanse is closed. While the Dalton Highway
was originally intended for oil and gas use, the state has
expanded and recreational uses need to be spread out further.
He suggested that history changes and the state needs to
recognize the change, which may result in more facilities and
more opportunities for Alaskans and non-Alaskans to use this
area. He said, "We're talking about millions of acres." He
suggested that there is plenty of room. He further suggested
that mechanized and non-mechanized uses are not mutually
exclusive. People need to learn to tolerate interests and the
state need to grow as a state and should open up some of the
state.
2:42:06 PM
WILLIAM LANG related that he has a secondary residence in
Wiseman, Alaska. He testified in opposition to HB 267. He said
there is an absence of access issues since any Alaskan can walk
from the Dalton Highway to the Bering Sea if they so desire. He
agreed with prior testimony on the bill that the caribou
estimates were overestimated at the last hearing. He commented
that the Alaska Department of Fish & Game presented an estimate
of 67,000 to the Board of Game at its February meeting. He
speculated that harvest is underestimated. Since people who
live north of the Yukon River do not need to report caribou
harvest most of the harvest is unreported. He agreed with the
need for a fiscal note to provide for increased infrastructure
necessary for HB 267. He recalled the Chair mentioning flying
to Prudhoe Bay and driving down the Dalton Highway. He asked
her to imagine this trip without any AST stationed north of
Fairbanks and without any emergency medical services except
those provided by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. The current
emergency services are intended for the company's personnel, he
stated. He thought state funding would be needed to provide
additional parking areas and trash receptacles. He expressed
concern about snowmachine use during years with little snow
cover. He reminded people that the Iron Dog Snowmachine Race
had little snow cover this year, but people participated and are
motivated to use their snowmachines to hunt or race, even with
little snow cover.
2:44:32 PM
P.J. SIMON stated that safety is paramount. He described the
Dalton Highway road conditions, including the scale of the
mountains and sharp turns that truckers carrying large amounts
of fuel must make. He cautioned that trucks cannot easily stop
due to the enormous weight. He stressed the safety concerns.
He related that the Dalton Highway supplies the oil production
with needed supplies. He expressed concern over damage to fauna
and flora. He thought a three to five year study should be
accomplished prior to opening the Dalton Highway Corridor to
snowmachine use. He said, "We count on oil as Alaskans." He
concluded by stating he is firmly opposed to HB 267.
2:46:33 PM
JUNE RECOFF stated that she has lived most of her life in the
Brooks Range. She stated she has traveled to faraway places
like Africa, but nothing rivals the Central Brooks Range. She
stated that opening the Dalton Highway Corridor to
indiscriminate snowmachine use at a time when the limit for
caribou is five per person would constitute a travesty against
prudent stewardship of land and wildlife. The threat of
violence and lack of enforcement presents a very real issue.
She expressed concern for the wildlife resources if snowmachines
are allowed access along the Dalton Highway Corridor. She also
expressed concern that local residents will be disenfranchised
since they rely on the wildlife resources. She thought the bill
would have irreparable repercussions and create hardships for
future generations. The land and animals have represented and
been symbolic of freedom, balance, hope, serenity, and purpose.
She stated that she is opposed to HB 267.
2:49:04 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON pointed out that this bill opens up the Dalton
Highway Corridor, but the hunting rules will remain same.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON agreed.
2:49:38 PM
DERRICK MILLER, Staff, Representative Mike Kelly, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of the prime sponsor, stated that
currently, regulations are in place for the Dalton Highway
Corridor Management Area. These regulations prohibit motorized
use to transport game, game material, hunting material in and
out of the Dalton Highway Corridor. These regulations would
still remain under HB 267. In response to Chair P. Wilson, he
stated that the Board of Game oversees hunting regulations, and
have established regulations to prohibit the use of snowmachines
to transport game, game material, and game tools in and out of
the Dalton Highway Corridor.
CHAIR P. WILSON restated that people still cannot use
snowmachines to hunt.
MR. MILLER agreed.
2:50:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether snowmachines can recreate
by using snowmachines, but cannot use the snowmachines to hunt.
CHAIR P. WILSON recalled prior testimony. She said, "We were
told that everything during hunting would be the same; this was
just not during hunting. So that's not a true statement."
MR. MILLER agreed that it is not a true statement.
CHAIR P. WILSON related her understanding that hunting will not
be the same. Currently hunters cannot use snowmachine if they
are hunting. If HB 267 passes, then hunters can use
snowmachines.
MR. MILLER replied that this bill does not speak to any hunting
regulations. It does not touch hunting regulations or anything
the Board of Game oversees. This bill provides access through
the Dalton Highway Corridor via snowmachine. He said, "You
cannot use your snowmachine to transport game in and out. It
cannot be used as another tool for hunting."
2:52:20 PM
MICHELLE DEVAUL stated that she has been a tour guide for 12
years. Since 1999, she has been a guide on the Dalton Highway,
traveling from Fairbanks to Deadhorse. She said she works for
second largest industry, which is the visitor industry. She
said she is passionately "not supportive" of HB 267. She is
opposed to the bill because of the overall negative impact lack
of infrastructure and lack of law enforcement since an AST is
not assigned to Coldfoot. She has often observed vehicles on
the road and is concerned about increased access to the Dalton
Highway. She stated that when she is on the Dalton Highway
during the summer and winter she has observed traffic accidents.
She has even had to take an injured person to a pump station for
emergency treatment. She said that this area is an arctic
desert with six inches of precipitation per year, which is one
reason the Prudhoe Bay oilfield has been restricted and why they
must use ice roads to traverse the remote regions. She reported
that during the summer she has not observed any impact from the
development in the region. She related that during 50s and 60s
oil exploration left cat tracks from equipment use north of
Atigun Pass. She disagreed that snowmachines would have
decreased impact since the type of vegetation can take 50 years
to grow. She has observed permanent marks on the landscape.
2:55:26 PM
KENNETH BARBER stated that he would like to have an area that is
accessible to people. He did not think potential accidents or
injuries should be a concern since accidents happen throughout
Alaska. He said he would like to see the Dalton Highway
Corridor open to more use than just snowmachines. He said he
did not see anything wrong with a little scarring.
2:56:38 PM
CODY STRATHE said that he is opposed to HB 267. He stated that
as a graduate student at the University of Alaska he has
performed extensive archeological research in the Arctic,
including Gates of the Arctic National Park which borders the
Dalton Highway Corridor. He explained that the majority of
archeological sites are not buried, but are scattered on the
surface since insufficient vegetation exists to rot and cover
the remains. During low snow years which often occur north of
the Brooks Range the remains can be easily damaged by
snowmachines. He thinks there is a gross misconception that
snowmachines will not have an impact on the land. He stated
that he owns a snowmachine and has observed damage to his own
land. He spent the last three years with a dog sled team at
Galbraith Lake, which has huge windswept areas that snowmachines
could easily damage and have a great impact. He stated that he
has hunted caribou in the area. He reiterated that this road
was built for industrial use and not recreational use. He
offered his belief that the Dalton Highway Corridor area should
be managed to protect delicate ecosystem, coastal resources, and
subsistence rights that were originally established.
2:58:23 PM
CHAD DIESINGER, Manager, Toolik Field State Institute of Arctic
Biology, stated that a vast number of research plots surround
the station. He said that low snow years would be detrimental
to the research plots by snowmachine use; the plots represent 30
years worth of research. A second major concern is that the
facility has an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and during
the summer their EMP provides the only emergency response now
that the Alaska State Trooper (AST) at Coldfoot has been removed
from the post. He expressed concern that the bill does not have
a fiscal note to improve the emergency response capabilities for
increased traffic. He offered to keep his comments short but
related that other comments made by testifiers as valid comments
to consider.
3:00:22 PM
BARRY WHITEHILL testified that he is a hunter. He is a rifle
hunter and must walk, hike, or float to cross the corridor. He
hunts near the Dalton Highway since it is relatively low cost,
primarily paid by his own sweat. He finds the landscape free of
motorized conveyances so the hunt is truly an Alaskan
experience. He strongly opposed HB 267. He said it is "just a
foot in the door" to open the Dalton Highway up to allow other
conveyances and change the game laws to allow ORV and
snowmachines for hunting.
3:01:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON pointed out that initially the Alaska
Highway was an industrial corridor for use exclusively by the
military so it is not unusual to change uses.
3:02:47 PM
TAQUILIK HEPA, Director, Department of Wildlife Management,
North Slope Borough (NSB), stated that she is a lifelong
Alaskan. She expressed concern for the impact HB 267 will have
on subsistence users in Game Management 26, in particular, for
residents of Anaktuvuk Pass, Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik. She
anticipated a dramatic increase of people would use the Dalton
Highway and adjacent corridor for recreational uses with passage
of HB 267. The bill will provide easy access to areas important
to the residents of the North Slope for subsistence use. She
also anticipated an increase in user conflicts between sport
hunters, recreational users, and local subsistence users. She
outlined potential areas west of highway that could have
devastating impact on the caribou harvest by residents of
Anaktuvuk Pass area. Residents live a nomadic lifestyle and are
heavily dependent on caribou and other game. When the caribou
are not available and the Dall Sheep and Musk Oxen are heavily
regulated, families in the area will not have sufficient game to
meet their nutritional needs. She also has heard Nuiqsut
residents express concern about recreational users on the
Colville River area. She pointed out the intent of Dalton
Highway or the "Haul Road" is for industrial purposes. People
were told the Dalton Highway use would be restricted to protect
subsistence use.
3:05:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked her to provide her written
testimony.
DIRK NICKISH, Owner/Operator, Coyote Air, stated that the DOT&PF
camps located along the Dalton Highway are industrial worksites.
The DOT&PF manpower have been cut due to budget constraints in
the past few years and they neither have manpower or the
equipment to facilitate rescues. The campground is closed at
Marion Creek during the winter and as of July the U.S. Park
Service has made their Park Ranger posting a seasonal position.
As previously mentioned there is no longer an AST in the area
and it may be mid-summer before one is in the area. There is
not any garbage disposal service and the EMS services provided
by the Alyeska Pipeline Services Company are voluntary services.
As a small business owner along the Dalton Highway, he often
picks up trash, helps facilitate rescues, and works on law
enforcement issues with Fairbanks. He stated that he is opposed
to HB 267 and opening the Dalton Highway until the questions are
answered would be negligent.
3:08:15 PM
WADE WILLIS stated that hunters hunt beyond the five-mile
corridor. There is not any long or short-term management plan
for the Northern Alaska caribou herd that migrates along the
Dalton Highway Corridor. He anticipated that it would bring
significant impact to migration since snowmachine use would be
allowed during the period that caribou are moving to the spring
calving ground and hunting would be allowed in April on the
calving ground. The impact will be tremendous. The Board of
Game just increased the caribou bag limit to 10 in the Northwest
section of Game Management Unit (GMU) 26-B which would allow use
of snowmachines. He stated that this is the traditional hunting
grounds of the Nuiqsut residents. He referred to the comments
made at the Board of Game meeting. He related that no public
testimony was taken by the board at the meeting with respect to
the Dalton Highway, but sent a letter supporting HB 267,
although no testimony was taken. He noted that Ben Grussendorf,
who once served in the legislature, strongly opposed sending the
letter. He suggested that a stakeholder group should be
established to consider opening up that area to trapping. He
offered his belief that a reasonable opportunity for subsistence
should be considered. The "Haul Road" offers important
resources to residents who areas rely on trapping. He offered
to submit comments.
3:11:02 PM
BERNIE HICKER, Wiseman, Alaska, stated that he has been a
resident of Dalton Highway Corridor for the past 27 years. He
spoke in opposition to HB 267. His family runs a bed and
breakfast, the Arctic Getaway, which serves about 400 people,
including Alaskans, who come there because of the wilderness.
They can step off the side of the road and be in wilderness
without noise. He thought it would be a shame to open up the
area for "the fun of a few" to "tear this place up." He hoped
the legislature would keep the area closed to snowmachines.
Many photographers come to photograph animals in close proximity
to the road. It is a great opportunity and the snowmachines
would inhibit the ability to participate in that type of
photography. He urged members to vote no on HB 267.
3:12:47 PM
WYN MENEFEE, Chief of Operations, Division of Mining, Land, and
Water, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), stated that there
are overlapping restrictions on snowmachine in the Umiat
meridian. He said that anywhere north of the meridian line
requires a permit for snowmachine use.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked Mr. Menefee to identify the
latitude or longitude of the meridian line.
MR. MENEFEE answered that the area is located above Chandalar,
in about the upper third of the Dalton Highway, although he did
not know the exact mileage. He related that anywhere in that
region requires a special-use designation and anyone using a
vehicle must obtain a permit. He said snowmachine use would
require a specific authorization any time of the year. In
further response to Chair P. Wilson, he stated that currently
the DNR cannot authorize recreational use of a snowmachine.
Under the bill, the DNR could issue permits for snowmachine use.
Thus, the bill would broaden what the DNR could authorize.
CHAIR P. WILSON related that if HB 267 bill passes the DNR would
change its procedures.
MR. MENEFEE answered no, the procedures would not change.
However, it would change what the DNR could authorize. In
further response to Chair P. Wilson, he related that the DNR
cannot currently authorize permits for snowmachine use or for
hunting.
3:16:00 PM
JOY WIEBE stated that she works as a "haul road" truck driver.
She stated that she "runs fuel" on the Dalton Highway. If
someone has an accident and his/her truck runs off the road the
truck will stay there until towing services can arrive from
Fairbanks. The road barely allows two trucks to pass and it can
be unbelievably icy. She thinks that wolves and subsistence
hunters are doing fine job harvesting the caribou. She related
that the road is open to public, but not for snowmachines.
People can cross country ski or dog mushers can use the Dalton
Highway Corridor. She offered her belief that the caribou herd
would be decimated. She related that pull outs are barely
adequate and during storms are inadequate. North of Arctic
Circle storms appear suddenly. "There is absolutely no rescue
and in that case would be recovery," she said. She concluded by
stating that she strongly opposes HB 267.
3:18:41 PM
MS. WIEBE, in response to Chair Wilson, suggested that increased
traffic would especially impact drivers during the winter since
most people are unfamiliar with the Dalton Highway and tend to
travel right down the middle of the road. She related that her
fuel truck weighs between 105,000 to 108,000 pound and she
cannot "stop on a dime." She explained that she slows down for
cars, but it also very difficult to determine the actual edges
of the road. She offered her belief that only two outhouse
facilities are available on the Dalton Highway between Coldfoot
and Deadhorse, including one at the shelf and one at mile 62.
She noted that she has been afraid to stop at the outhouse at
mile 62 since trash piles up and creates a bear hazard.
3:20:37 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked for information on what would happen if
her truck became involved in an accident.
MS. WIEBE answered that if her truck were to hit someone that
the occupants of the vehicle would not have any chance of
survival so she would rather go into the ditch herself.
3:21:08 PM
DANE CROWLEY, Executive Director, Sportsmen for Fish and
Wildlife (SFFW), stated that the SFFW is a statewide
organization represents several thousand Alaskans. Their
mission is to ensure the state has an abundance of resources
available and to provide access to the resources. He stated
that the purpose of the Dalton Highway Corridor was to not
interfere with subsistence hunting by not allowing snowmachine
use in the corridor. The assumption has been that access will
"wreck something." Currently, the Dalton Highway Corridor
management is inconsistent since some residents are disallowed
access. This bill is not about hunting, but would provide
access to state lands from a state highway. He urged members to
review the statute. He maintained that this bill is not about
hunting but is about access to public land.
3:23:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed concern about the public
safety along the Dalton Highway Corridor. He hoped that as the
subcommittee performs it work that the lives and property of
residents along the Dalton Highway Corridor will be protected.
MR. CROWLEY offered to send in additional comments.
3:24:05 PM
CHARLES DERRICK stated that he previously worked on the
TransAlaska pipeline and has traveled most of the pipeline
length. He said he is retired, owns snow machines, a satellite
phone and would like to be able to travel in the early spring
but cannot currently do so. He said he does not wish to hunt,
but would like to do some ice fishing and explore some of the
lakes in the Dalton Highway Corridor. He spoke in favor of HB
267. He asked what measures the DOT&PF has taken to improve the
Dalton Highway, including adding pullouts. He related that he
heard for years that insufficient pullouts and facilities exist
along the Dalton Highway. He did not understand why DOT&PF has
not taken any action to make improvements.
[HB 267 was held over.]
3:27:21 PM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB257 cell phone ban sponsor stmt.pdf |
HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 257 |
| HB257 cell phone ban sectional.pdf |
HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 257 |
| hb257 cell phone ban backup.pdf |
HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 257 |
| HB357 sponsor stmt.pdf |
HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 357 |
| HB357 back up.pdf |
HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 357 |
| HB267 sponsor stmt TRA.pdf |
HTRA 3/11/2010 1:00:00 PM HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 267 |
| hb 267 backup TRA.pdf |
HTRA 3/11/2010 1:00:00 PM HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 267 |