Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 17
03/25/2010 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB313 | |
| HB267 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 267 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 313 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 267-SNOW MACHINE USE IN DALTON HWY CORRIDOR
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the final 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."
2:37:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON, as chair of the subcommittee on HB
267, reported on the subcommittee work on HB 267. She explained
the subcommittee agreed on two things. One, the subcommittee
suggested that the committee request DOT&PF monitor the number
of new recreational users through a permit process. The
subcommittee did not believe a fee should be charged for the
permit, but in case any degradation happened, it would be
important to know how many snow machines were in any given area.
The subcommittee envisioned that the permit user could access a
website to determine whether adequate snow was available.
Secondly, the subcommittee suggested specific access sites
should be established along the Dalton Highway corridor, such as
the DOT&PF could identify three sites. The subcommittee
believed that by limiting access sites, it would be easier to
monitor any damage. Further, she elaborated that the Dalton
Highway section that typically receives more snow could handle
more snow machines. The subcommittee determined it would like
an annual review and report on the matter.
2:39:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON stated that lastly the subcommittee
requested that the committee require recreational users to
maintain safety equipment. The Dalton Highway does not
currently have an Alaska State Trooper (AST), and historically
only one AST has been assigned to cover the entire Dalton
Highway Corridor. The committee suggested opening the Dalton
Highway Corridor to recreational access only to milepost 176.
She stated that Coldfoot is located at milepost 175 and has
parking facilities and a hotel. Most of the e-mails in
opposition expressed concern about impact to the area. Of the
241 e-mails received, 98 were in favor and 143 were against
recreational use on the Dalton Highway. District 7 and 8 were
the districts most interested in the access. The subcommittee
suggested the committee request the area be monitored for any
impact on the land and animal migration.
2:40:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ asked if the activity is meant to stay in
the Dalton Highway Corridor or would recreational users have
access to areas off the corridor.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON answered that recreational users would
have access to the areas currently open outside the five mile
corridor.
2:41:20 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked where residents are located.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON offered that quite a few people live in
the Wiseman area, which is above Coldfoot. Those residents can
access the Dalton Highway Corridor and are not restricted.
People residing outside the corridor can access the Dalton
Highway Corridor.
2:42:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ asked for clarification on whether people
currently living in Bettles can ride their snow machines, but if
the person is coming up the road is restricted from accessing
the five miles along either side of the Dalton Highway.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON replied yes.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ would limit recreational users to Milepost
175 at Coldfoot, but would allow access across the Dalton
Highway Corridor into that area.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON stated that people cannot transport
hunting gear since the hunting regulations would still apply.
Recreational users could not transport animals or hunting
equipment.
2:43:22 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON related her understanding that the access would
be recreational.
2:43:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 267, labeled 26-LS1207\N, Kane, 3/25/10,
as the working document.
There being no objection, Version N was before the committee.
2:44:23 PM
REBECCA ROONEY, Staff, Representative P. Wilson, Alaska State
Legislature, as staff to Representative P. Wilson, Chair, House
Transportation Standing Committee, referred to the memorandum of
March 23, 2010, from Representative T. Wilson, Chair of the
subcommittee, listing four bulleted points. Version N focused
on two points, permits and limiting access to milepost 176. She
explained the changes incorporated in Version N. On page 1,
line 13-14, to paragraph (3), which adds language that limits
snow machine travel to south of mile 176, at Coldfoot. Version
N adds clarifying language, to identify the area as "on or
across the highway corridor" to be certain that the access
included the highway corridor. She referred to page 2, lines 7-
8, which is the definition of highway corridor.
2:45:48 PM
MS. ROONEY referred to page 2, lines 19-24 which contains the
description of the Dalton Highway Corridor for the prohibition
time period between May 1 and September 30. She referred to
proposed Section 3, to the provision established to require
permits. This language addresses the subcommittee's
recommendation for recreational user permits. The $25 fee was
added to encourage people to obtain the permit since the goal is
to obtain accurate information on the number of recreational
users.
2:46:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON expressed concern that limiting the
recreational users to a two-year period may increase activity,
or overinflate the activity during the two-year period.
Recreational users may feel the need to plan a trip during the
only time the Dalton Highway Corridor would be open to
recreational users. He suggested the permit timeframe be
extended to five years.
2:48:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON pointed out that the number of permits
is not limited since the data is important. She suggested that
the number could be limited to 100 permits, which could be based
on a lottery similar to the Denali Park permitting. She
suggested limiting numbers rather than keeping the proposed
sunset, offering that it may be easier on the administrator to
have a designated number of people to permit.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN related his understanding that one
reason for the sunset date was a report that would provide the
number of permits issued, the number of accidents, and any other
issues that might arise so the legislature could decide any
future use.
2:50:54 PM
MARY SIROKY, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
outlined some suggestions. She asked the committee whether
Version N would prohibit current residents living north of
Coldfoot from using the corridor since these residents currently
are allowed access. She commented that the DOT&PF does not have
permitting capabilities for this activity and the department
would have to consider the number of personnel it would need to
do so. The DOT&PF does not have any enforcement capabilities.
Additionally, the DOT&PF prefers the maintenance crew to limit
its duties to road maintenance and not add duties to assist the
public, as it would impact the maintenance function on the
Dalton Highway. She offered her belief that the language is
written so some aspects could affect Department of Public Safety
and not just the DOT&PF.
2:52:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ asked whether the DOT&PF has considered how
recreational users would affect the trucking functions.
MS. SIROKY related that as previously mentioned the DOT&PF
envisions it would place signs to limit the "chain-up areas" at
base of hills for commercial use only so recreational users will
know these areas are off limits to recreational vehicles. The
DOT&PF held some preliminary discussions with the trucking
industry to determine if any other areas, such as pullouts
should be restricted. The truckers did not have any
recommendations. Thus, the DOT&PF would monitor pullout use to
determine if any issues arise. She anticipated that if a
pullout is full and the next one is full, or if all of the
pullouts for a long stretch are filled that it could be
problematic.
2:55:21 PM
MS. SIROKY, in response to Representative Petersen, explained
the DOT&PF will request funds to place signs to restrict "chain
up" areas to commercial trucks only. In further response to
Representative Petersen, she explained the "chain up" areas
would not be available to recreational users.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked whether all vehicles should be
required to have chains to drive.
MS. SIROKY was not certain whether DOT&PF uses chains on all
their vehicles, noting that commercial trucks pulling heavy
loads have greater need for chains.
2:56:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ asked the subcommittee whether the
Department of Natural Resources provided input.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON answered that the DNR did not respond.
The subcommittee received input from the DOT&PF. The U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Alaska Department of Fish &
Game were contacted but also did not provide input.
2:57:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ said she thought it would be helpful to
have the agency input.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON related that the bill has a further
referral to the House Resources Standing Committee, which is the
appropriate committee to review any land use issues.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON answered that may be reason the
subcommittee did not receive any input.
2:58:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN offered his belief that some of the
subcommittee recommendations may not be so easily accomplished.
He inquired as to whether the committee should try to address
some of the recommendations. He prepared an amendment
previously to address the cutoff limit, but Version N limits
access to milepost 176, which he thought was fine. He suggested
since the DOT&PF does not have a permitting process in place
that the committee may wish to consider an alternative.
2:59:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON suggested that the permit is a land use
issue. He suggested that the BLM should issue the permit. That
issue and any ADF&G issues for consideration could be taken up
in the House Resources Standing Committee.
3:00:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ asked whether snow machine access is
limited to any other areas in the region.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON answered that the Yukon River Bridge is
the beginning point under the bill and from Fairbanks to the
Yukon River is currently open to recreational user.
CHAIR P. WILSON reiterated the Dalton Highway Corridor area adds
another 115 miles of recreational use.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ clarified that recreational users have open
access in the Dalton Highway Corridor to the Yukon River Bridge.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON answered yes.
3:01:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON moved to report the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 267, labeled 26-LS1207\N, Kane, 3/25/10,
out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN objected. He said he did not think the
bill was ready to move since all of the subcommittee
recommendations have not been addressed in the bill.
3:03:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON offered to pass the subcommittee notes
and comments along. She offered her belief that the remaining
questions are resources issues.
3:03:26 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON expressed concern that the $25 permit fee is not
high enough since people may ignore the permit requirements.
She suggested the fee should be in the $250 or $350 range.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON pointed out that currently, people
could be using the Dalton Highway Corridor in violation of the
current law. This bill will actually provide additional
information, she said.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON agreed that the information is important,
and that $250 fine would cause people to apply in advance for
the permit.
3:05:28 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON made a motion to adopt Amendment 1, on page 3,
line 3, to delete $25 and insert $275.
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:06:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON withdrew her motion to move the bill.
[The committee treated Amendment 1 as rescinded.]
3:06:52 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON made a motion to adopt Amendment 1, on page 3,
line 3, to increase the fee from $25 to $375. There being no
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. [The committee treated
Amendment 1 as Amendment 2.]
3:07:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON moved to report the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 267, labeled 26-LS1207\N, Kane, 3/25/10,
as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN objected.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Johnson, T. Wilson,
and P. Wilson voted in favor of moving the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 267, labeled 26-LS1207\N, Kane, 3/25/10,
as amended, from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
Representatives Munoz and Petersen voted against it. Therefore,
the motion failed by a vote of 3-2.
3:08:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to rescind the committee's action
to move the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 267,
labeled 26-LS1207\N, Kane, 3/25/10, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN objected.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Johnson, T. Wilson,
Munoz, and P. Wilson voted in favor of rescinding the
committee's action to move HB 267, as amended. Representative
Petersen voted against it. Therefore, the committee's action to
rescind its action to move the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for HB 267, as amended, labeled 26-LS1207\N, Kane, 3/25/10,
from committee passed by a vote of 4-1.
3:10:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to report the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 267, labeled 26-LS1207\N, Kane, 3/25/10,
as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no further
objection, CSHB 267(TRA) was reported from the House
Transportation Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 313 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HTRA 3/25/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 313 |
| HB 267 Ver N.pdf |
HTRA 3/25/2010 1:00:00 PM |
HB 267 |