03/23/1999 01:40 PM Senate TRA

           SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE                                                                                      
                    March 23, 1999                                                                                              
                      1:40 p.m.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman                                                                                                    
Senator Georgianna Lincoln                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Drue Pearce, Vice Chair                                                                                                 
Senator Mike Miller                                                                                                             
Senator Rick Halford                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Briefing by the Port of Bellingham                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
TAPE 99-06, SIDE A                                                                                                              
Number 001                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate Transportation Committee meeting to                                                             
order at 1:40 p.m. and announced the committee would hear a                                                                     
briefing by the Port of Bellingham.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. JIM DARLING, Executive Director for the Port of Bellingham,                                                                 
introduced Mr. Scott Walker, an elected Commissioner and the                                                                    
President of the Board of Commissioners, and Mr. John Carter, the                                                               
Chief Financial Officer and Head of Terminal Operations.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. DARLING discussed the 20-year agreement with Alaska, noting                                                                 
that in this tenth year Bellingham has grown into a regional                                                                    
transportation hub.  The Port started with the Alaska ferry and                                                                 
added other marine vessels, the AMTRAC run from Seattle to                                                                      
Vancouver, and the Greyhound terminal.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
To commemorate the agreement which has been important for                                                                       
Bellingham as well as Alaska, MR. DARLING presented Chairman Ward                                                               
with a poster honoring the 10-year relationship.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. SCOTT WALKER expressed appreciation for their great                                                                         
relationship with the crews and management of the Alaska Marine                                                                 
Highway system.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. JOHN CARTER stated the marine highway system in Bellingham                                                                  
helps to promote Alaska through the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor                                                             
and Convention Bureau.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN WARD asked if they have sought federal funding for local                                                               
ports.  MR. WALKER responded they have pursued  funding to augment                                                              
the ferry service in Bellingham, but quite frankly, more effort has                                                             
been made on the state level. The train station got federal                                                                     
transportation funds because it was a marine-rail linkage.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Number 178                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LINCOLN said she has not yet been able to tour the Port.                                                                
She asked what they do to promote Alaskan tourism. MR. WALKER                                                                   
described the contract between the two states to man a booth during                                                             
sailing days and distribute information about Alaskan destinations.                                                             
There is a lot of joint national advertising, advertising in state                                                              
tourism magazines and a direct hot link on the Web page from the                                                                
Chamber of Commerce, local Visitors Bureau, and the Port to the                                                                 
Marine Highway System.  Both Senators asked for copies of                                                                       
promotional materials.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LINCOLN asked about Alaska hire, and a discussion ensued.                                                               
She encouraged an exchange and internship program, and having                                                                   
knowledgeable seasonal staff to promote Alaska.  She pointed out                                                                
that many Alaskans reside in the Seattle area and the regional                                                                  
corporations have offices there as well.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. DARLING added that some of the older volunteers at the                                                                      
Convention and Visitors Bureau are former Alaskan residents.  The                                                               
Port Controller and Accounting Supervisor is a Native Alaskan,                                                                  
Therese Holm, a shareholder with Doyon.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LINCOLN introduced Aaron Shaw from Nenana who is working as                                                             
a page this week.  She asked about tourism trends and requested                                                                 
supportive information.  MR. WALKER said about 40% of the ridership                                                             
on the ferries go up into the Interior through Southeast Alaska.                                                                
She asked for a survey of the ridership.  MR. CARTER said they do                                                               
a weekly survey, and it indicates there are increasingly more                                                                   
independent travelers planning their own itineraries.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Number 329                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN WARD thanked Mr. Darling, Mr. Walker and Mr. Carter for                                                                
coming to speak, and for the poster from the Port of Bellingham                                                                 
that will be displayed in the committee room.  He adjourned at 2:00                                                             
p.m.