Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/04/1993 05:00 PM House TRA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 4, 1993
5:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Richard Foster, Chair
Representative Gary Davis, Vice-Chair
Representative Eldon Mulder
Representative Al Vezey
Representative Bill Hudson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Curt Menard
Representative Jerry Mackie
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Overview - Port of Anchorage
General discussion on the Inland Boatmen's Union of the
Pacific (IBU)
WITNESS REGISTER
DON DIETZ
Anchorage Port Director
2000 Anchorage Port Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
272-1531
Position Statement: Provided overview
FRANK PRICE, Regional Director
Inland Boatmen's Union of the Pacific
2225 North Jordan Avenue
Juneau, Alaska 99801
789-0333
Position Statement: Provided overview
JULIAN FAULKNER, Member
Inland Boatmen's Union of the Pacific
2225 North Jordan Avenue
Juneau, Alaska 99801
789-0333
Position Statement: Commented on IBU
JIM AYERS, System Director
Alaska Marine Highway System
P.O. Box 25535
Juneau, Alaska 99802-5535
465-3950
Position Statement: Observer
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-8, SIDE A
Number 015
CHAIR RICHARD FOSTER called the meeting to order at 5:10
p.m.
Number 020
DON DIETZ, PORT DIRECTOR, PORT OF ANCHORAGE, began his
overview by stating that Anchorage is Southcentral Alaska's
regional port. It handles 80 percent of the state's cargo,
generates thousands of jobs, and, as a Foreign Trade Zone,
stimulates imports and exports. He mentioned that some of
the freight that goes across the docks also serves Southeast
Alaska.
MR. DIETZ said the port facilities are sound, but many are
over 30 years old and require substantial upgrading. At the
same time, the port must expand and modernize to reflect
changes in shipping conditions. Over the past several
years, the Port of Anchorage has accomplished significant
improvements, including the successful development of 17.45
leasable land-base acres in 1983 and 1986 using state
grants. Since then, however, selected dock maintenance and
land development within the port complex were deferred for
several years during consideration of Fire Island as a
regional port. Fire Island is no longer being considered a
new regional port site in the near-term. Therefore, focus
now must be on improving the current working facilities at
the Port of Anchorage. If the port is to remain fully
functional and competitive in the coming years, two projects
which demand attention are: (A) a new dock fendering
system; and (B) the development of 14-20 acres of land
recently acquired by the port.
MR. DIETZ said the Port of Anchorage is the Railbelt's
Regional Port. Almost every type of commercial commodity
crosses its docks. The port serves 80 percent of Alaska's
populated area -- from Prudhoe Bay to Homer -- by means of
rail, road and air connections. Since 1986 cargo tonnage
has increased 21.6 percent. Imports and exports are on the
rise and the potential for exports is increasing. The ports
existing site is fully utilized for commercial enterprises
that use, and pay, for current port operations. More cargo,
timber, and coal operations and facilities is vital if the
region is to realize the full benefit of increased cargo and
trade passing through the port.
MR. DIETZ stated the port is poised to expand in direct
response to and from export-related industries, such as coal
mining and forest products. He mentioned the new fendering
system constructed in Kodiak with state funds that so far
has had zero maintenance. This is one of the projects the
Port of Anchorage is requesting state funds in the amount of
$7,000,000.
MR. DIETZ mentioned that the other project the Port of
Anchorage is looking for a sponsor to introduce legislation
for is the development of 14 to 20 acres of recently
acquired tidal and submerged land. As presently envisioned,
this land would be utilized to support the port's continuing
growth in cargo and other potential export facilities for
materials such as coal, forest products, and mineral
concentrates. The funds would pay for the initial
development phase of filling, paving, lighting, and
providing utilities. Designs have been drawn up and
wetlands permits have been received, so construction could
begin immediately. The estimated cost of this development
project is $7,000,000. He stated that if they were unable
to expand, Sealand and other barge lines would need to lease
or purchase land elsewhere in Anchorage and the costs to the
consumers would increase due to the increase in handling
fees.
Number 0475
The committee asked Mr. Dietz questions in relation to the
Port requests.
TAPE 8, SIDE B
Number 015
CHAIR FOSTER thanked Mr. Dietz for his presentation to the
committee and proceeded to introduce the next guest.
FRANK PRICE, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, INLAND BOATMEN'S UNION OF
THE PACIFIC (IBU), introduced himself for the record and
began his discussion, mentioning that the IBU was concerned
with the Alaska Marine Highway System in the current budget
crunch and how it affects the IBU member's livelihood. He
discussed the problems of the ferry system and the impact
that the decrease in appropriations through the budget
process in the last few years has had on the ferry personnel
in their standard of living and the level of maintenance on
the ships. He mentioned that the proposed new vessel was of
extreme importance since many of the ships were old and
deteriorating and replacement was extremely necessary in
order to maintain the system and keep it in working order.
Number 0162
CHAIR FOSTER introduced JIM AYERS, DIRECTOR of the ALASKA
MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM to the committee.
Number 0182
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked Mr. Frank how many ferry system
workers lived within the state of Alaska. He indicated that
in the past the numbers, as he understood, had been
substantially higher than those currently.
MR. PRICE indicated that approximately six workers out of
over 600 resided out-of-state.
Number 0217
JULIAN FAULKNER, MEMBER, IBU, mentioned that he has worked
on the MV BARTLETT for several years and he found that the
lack of money appropriated has created a real noticeable
impact on the way the ship looks. He had felt proud of his
ship in the past as the way the ship is maintained is a
direct reflection of the crew and he was distressed to see
the lack of maintenance the ships had been getting due to
budget constraints, and he was no longer as proud as he had
been in the past of his ship.
Number 230
CHAIR FOSTER thanked Mr. Price for his presentation to the
committee. He ADJOURNED the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|