Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/25/1993 05:00 PM House ITT
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL TRADE & TOURISM
March 25, 1993
5:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jeannette James, Chair
Representative Curt Menard
Representative Jerry Sanders
Representative Cynthia Toohey
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Joe Green
Representative Terry Martin
Representative Jim Nordlund
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Presentation by Alaska Marine Highway System; discussion of
priorities.
WITNESS REGISTER
Gary Hayden
Alaska Marine Highway System
1591 Glacier Avenue
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-8878
POSITION STATEMENT: Provide information on the Alaska Marine
Highway System
Richard Ploss
Alaska Marine Highway System
1591 Glacier Avenue
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-8878
POSITION STATEMENT: Provide information on the Alaska Marine
Highway System
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-6, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIR JEANNETTE JAMES called the meeting of the House
Special Committee on International Trade and Tourism to
order on March 25, 1993, at 5:10 p.m.
GARY HAYDEN, replacing System Director Jim Ayers, of the
ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, presented plans for the new
ocean-class vessel, which would link Southeast Alaska,
Southwest Alaska, and the Lower 48 states for the first
time, and would also serve as an oil spill command post.
Number 118
REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA TOOHEY asked about the vessel's oil
spill response capabilities.
MR. HAYDEN replied that the ship would not have oil skimming
capabilities but would have communications, housing, crane
and docking facilities to serve as a command post.
Number 168
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY asked for a cost breakdown on the oil
spill response portion of the vessel versus the tourism and
transportation portion.
Number 176
MR. HAYDEN replied the oil spill response would cost $15-20
million.
Number 179
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY asked how the new vessel would respond
to an oil spill in Alaska if it were full of passengers in
California.
Number 190
MR. HAYDEN said the passengers would be transferred to
another ship which would be kept available to serve as a
substitute.
Number 208
REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS asked for the total cost of the
vessel.
MR. HAYDEN replied $75-85 million for the total project.
Number 215
REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS asked why the functions were being
combined into one vessel versus the cost efficiency of
having two vessels serve the two different functions.
MR. HAYDEN responded it was because of lessons learned from
the Exxon Valdez oil spill, requiring a vessel which could
respond to remote locations. He added the Department of
Environmental Conservation could not build an ocean going
vessel that would have the same housing and communication
capabilities for the same money, and the ocean rating was
required for the high-risk harsh waters of the Aleutian
Chain and the Gulf of Alaska.
Number 286
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY inquired about the vessel's use in
shallow water.
MR. HAYDEN said the draft was 17' 6".
Number 300
RICHARD PLOSS of the ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM showed
pictures and a video, explaining the configuration and
passenger capacities of the proposed vessel. He said many
good suggestions for the design had come from public
hearings and input, adding that no docks would have to be
redesigned to accommodate the new vessel. There would be 90
staterooms, a section of roomettes with tables which could
convert into beds, a sit-down dining room, as well as mall-
type food service with areas which could be shut down when
not needed. Year-round, the number of people required to
man the vessel would average 47.5, he added.
Number 480
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY asked about the cost of plans.
MR. PLOSS responded, "To date, $600,000."
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY said it almost seemed like the new
vessel would be in competition with Holland American Lines.
MR. PLOSS said the crew would not need to be changed if the
vessel was called to respond to an oil spill.
Number 630
CHAIR JAMES thanked Mr. Ploss and passed out copies of
letters from Representative Kay Brown to Representative Don
Young and Senators Stevens and Murkowski, as requested by
this committee on March 18, 1993, regarding HJR 20.
CHAIR JAMES also informed the committee about the proposed
Alaska Pork Project, which had been four years in the
planning and involved several countries, including Denmark
and Japan, and would utilize the Northern Sea Route. The
project needed 25,000 acres of agricultural land near the
railroad, and would produce 600,000 hogs a year. Sites
being considered included ones near Nenana, she advised.
TAPE 93-6, SIDE B
Number 000
REPRESENTATIVE CURT MENARD returned the discussion to the
proposed ferry, stating Alaska needed smaller, faster boats,
not the large one being designed.
Number 135
REPRESENTATIVE MENARD referred to the Pt. McKenzie ore
project which was feasible because of the long-term gas
contracts available.
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR JAMES adjourned the meeting at 6:05.
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