SB 47-CHUGACH STATE PARK EASEMENTS  4:17:47 PM CHAIR GIESSEL reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 47 "An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an effective date." 4:18:40 4:18:44 PM CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion. 4:18:45 4:18:47 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for SB 47, work order 34-LS0179\G, as the working document. 4:18:57 PM CHAIR GIESSEL objected for the purpose of discussion. 4:19:10 PM PAIGE BROWN, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the explanation of changes for and answered questions on CSSB 47, work order 34-LS0179\G: [Original punctuation provided.] Explanation of Changes  Senate Resources CS for Senate Bill 47  Version A to Version G  "An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an effective date." The committee substitute adopts the following changes: Section 1, page 1, lines 6-7 Deletes "and control of highway access and". Section 2, page 2, lines 8-10  Adds language confining the purpose of an easement or right-of-way within Chugach State Park to repairing, maintaining, and constructing roads and related facilities. Section 2, page 2, lines 11-17 Adds 4 additional requirements for a municipality to obtain an easement or right-of-way if: 1. The easement or right-of-way is requested by the municipality. 2. The municipality pays for all costs DNR may require obtaining an easement or right-of-way. 3. The municipality assumes the duty of maintaining the easement or right-of-way, and any constructed facilities. 4. The duration of the easement or right-of-way is set in the easement. 4:20:06 MS. BROWN said SB 47 Version G was the result of collaboration with the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage Department of Parks, the [Alaska state] Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Parks and the DNR Division of Mining, Land and Water, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF), and the Department of Law (DOL). 4:20:24 PM CHAIR GIESSEL noted representatives of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Law (DOL) were available to answer questions. 4:21:07 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked whether the state would be giving the municipality the right to pursue a mining or timber harvest easement under the provisions of SB 47. 4:21:54 PM CHRISTOPHER ORMAN, Natural Resources Attorney, Department of Law (DOL), Juneau, Alaska, clarified the intent of SB. He said that section two, subsection B, authorized Department of Natural Resources (DNR)to create easements or right of way within Chugach State Park for road repair, maintenance, and construction. He noted that while there might be secondary implications, such as soil or gravel removal, the primary focus was on easements for road-related activities. 4:23:01 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI quoted from SB 46, Section 1, lines four - six: "Except as provided by (b) and (c) of this section,  control, development, and maintenance of [THE] state land and water described in AS 41,21,121 as the Chugach State Park and  control of roadside structures within the park is assigned to the department". He noted that [lines] four and five seemed broad. He asked whether it was Mr. Orman's opinion that the easements for right of way would be limited to roads and related facilities within the park. 4:23:49 PM MR. ORMAN affirmed that it was his interpretation. He noted that Section 1, lines four and five led to Section B and Section B provided the exception limiting [the right of way] for purposes of repairing, maintaining and constructing roads. 4:24:12 4:24:15 PM CHAIR GIESSEL invited Mr. Gease to comment on the questions. 4:24:22 PM RICKY GEASE, Director, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage, Alaska concurred with Mr. Orman and said DNR endorsed SB 47, Version G. 4:24:48 4:24:52 PM CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SB 47. 4:25:10 PM CHRIS BECK, Coordinator, Alaska Trails Initiative, Anchorage, Alaska, testified with concerns on SB 47. He said he supported SB 47 which was intended to improve access to Alaska's Chugach State Park. He emphasized the need for a broad definition of "access" in the bill to include roads, parking areas, and facilities, and explained that this would align better with Anchorage municipality voters' intent. He highlighted the economic impact of extending visitors' stays, noting that an extra day could generate $250 million annually. He urged the passage of SB 47 to facilitate the comprehensive use of funds for access improvements, thereby enhancing the park's appeal and Alaska's economy. 4:28:47 PM DIANA RHOADES Director of Programs, Anchorage Park Foundation, Anchorage, Alaska, expressed her support for SB 47 with concern that broader language would allow for voter expectations of the anticipated improvements to the Chugach access service area. 4:29:30 4:29:32 PM CHAIR GIESSEL closed public testimony on SB 47. CHAIR GIESSEL directed Ms. Brown to respond to concerns expressed by stating the intent of SB 47. 4:29:42 PM MS. BROWN said the intent of SB 47 was to allow the municipality of Anchorage to bond for improvements, specifically to Canyon Road, but also where the Anchorage municipality and Chugach State Park met. She said the committee substitute included language that would allow repair, maintenance, and construction of roads and related facilities. She concluded that [the language] should cover the potential improvements intended by the Anchorage Bond. 4:30:29 PM CHAIR GIESSEL said the original goal of SB 47 was to repair and maintain a section of Canyon Road that is in poor condition. She noted that the municipality sought to install a small gravel pad for equipment parking, with potential future use for public parking. She asserted that the limited right of way would requires Commissioner approval, as stated in SB 47 and she emphasized the public interest in improved park access. She said SB 47 would not allow for the establishment of amusement facilities by the municipality. 4:32:11 PM SENATOR CLAMAN said the language of SB 47 was broad enough to cover parking lots and potentially paved trails from the parking area up to the trailhead, etc. He appreciated that SB 47 allowed flexibility to address the Canyon Road issue as well as future issues. He opined that the drafting of [SB 47 committee substitute G] also addressed the concerns raised by the public testimony. He also affirmed the provision in SB 47 allowing the future renewal of the easement and flexibility among the different government entities involved. 4:33:39 PM SENATOR HUGHES commended the cooperation and collaboration evident in the development and refinement of SB 47. 4:34:00 4:34:02 PM CHAIR GIESSEL solicited the will of the committee. 4:34:05 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report CSSB 47, work order 34- LS0179\G, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 4:34:23 PM CHAIR GIESSEL found no objection and CSSB 47 was reported from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.