Legislature(1997 - 1998)
01/29/1998 01:30 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE January 29, 1998 1:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman Senator Gary Wilken, Vice Chair Senator Lyda Green Senator Georgianna Lincoln MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Rick Halford COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 251 "An Act naming Herman Leirer Road near Seward." MOVED SB 251 OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 211 "An Act renaming the Gravina Veterans' Memorial Bridge as the Ralph M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge." MOVED SB 211 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS SENATE ACTION SB 251 - No previous committee action. SB 211 - No previous committee action. WITNESS REGISTER Senator John Torgerson Alaska State Capitol Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 251 Mr. Bob Satin, Mayor City of Seward P.O. Box 3692 Seward, Alaska 99664 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 251 Joe Ambrose Chief of Staff to Senator Taylor Alaska State Capitol Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for sponsor of SB 211 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 98-1, SIDE A CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate Transportation Committee meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Present were Senators Ward, Green and Lincoln. The first order of business before the committee was SB 251. SB 251 - NAMING HERMAN LEIRER ROAD SENATOR JOHN TORGERSON, sponsor, stated SB 251 is a straightforward piece of legislation honoring Herman Leirer, a long-time Seward resident, for his involvement in the construction and maintenance of a road to the Exit Glacier. SB 251 names that road Herman Leirer Road. SENATOR GREEN commended Senator Torgerson on the sectional analysis of the bill. CHAIRMAN WARD noted Senator Wilken had arrived. BOB SATIN, Mayor of Seward, testified that Mr. Leirer was a pillar of the community in many ways but primarily in his willingness to put forth much effort and time constructing a road through Resurrection Valley to the Exit Glacier. That glacier has since been accessed by over one million visitors. Mr. Satin explained, as a National Park Ranger and geologist, he leads interpretive tours to the Exit Glacier and is reminded daily that Mr. Leirer made the access possible. The residents of Seward believe the name designation is a fitting recognition of Mr. Leirer's contribution, and will be a lasting memorial. SENATOR WILKEN asked Mr. Satin the name of the compressed ice layer at the bottom of glaciers. MR. SATIN answered it is named the "basal" layer and explained that one theory of glacial movement is that the enormous amount of pressure at the bottom of a glacier prevents water from freezing. The thin layer of liquid water at the base allows the glacier to move. The National Park Service inserted a radio transmitter about 12+ meters into the glacial mass to determine the internal rate of movement of the ice mass of the Exit Glacier. Transmitter readings show the glacier has moved about 1 inch per hour which has amounted to 531 feet in two years. SENATOR WILKEN asked why the sponsor did not want to rename the Exit Glacier after Mr. Leirer. MR. SATIN explained an expedition crossing the Harding icefield was looking for a suitable place to get off, and used that glacier as an exit, hence the name. MR. SATIN said the name confuses tourists who cannot find the entrance road to the glacier, since there is only one sign that says "Exit Glacier." There being no further testimony on SB 251, SENATOR WILKEN moved to advance SB 251 to its next committee of referral with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried. Number 135 SB 211 - RENAMING VET MEM BRIDGE IN KETCHIKAN JOE AMBROSE, staff to Senator Taylor, sponsor of SB 211, read the sponsor's statement for the record. SB 211 would rename the proposed bridge across Tongass Narrows at Ketchikan the Ralph M. Barholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge. Mr. Bartholomew served in World War II, served on the Ketchikan school board and planning commission, as Borough mayor, and on numerous volunteer organizations. SENATOR LINCOLN asked if the Ketchikan Borough Assembly has endorsed SB 211. MR. AMBROSE answered the Borough Assembly passed a resolution on Monday, but a copy has not been received yet. SENATOR LINCOLN asked that committee members receive a copy of that resolution when it arrives. SENATOR GREEN moved SB 211 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, the motion carried. Number 200 SENATOR LINCOLN requested the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) present the committee with an update on the statewide transportation plan, the priority list, and deferred maintenance. CHAIRMAN WARD said scheduling discussions are ongoing with the legislative liaison from DOTPF, but no date has yet been set. There being no further business to come before the committee, CHAIRMAN WARD adjourned the meeting at 1:43 p.m.
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