Number 007 SENATOR BERT SHARP introduced himself as sponsor of CSSB 210, and stated: "Under current statute, the state is prohibited from disposing of or leasing state land within five miles of the right-of-way of the Dalton Highway. The state has recently acquired several parcels of land in this area, under its land selection allocation, yet it cannot be leased or purchased. This is in spite of the fact that the previous owner (federal BLM) did lease parcels in these areas. "In the summer of 1992, Summit Telephone Company applied to the Alaska Public Utilities Commission for certification to provide telephone service to Coldfoot and Wiseman. BLM assured them that they would not have any problems obtaining a long term lease for a central switching office and 60 foot radio tower in Coldfoot. Upon receiving certification from APUC, Summit immediately went to BLM to obtain the land. They were told that the land surrounding Coldfoot had been transferred to the State of Alaska, and they would have to apply to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to obtain land in Coldfoot. "The DNR informed Summit Telephone that there could be no leasing or sale of land in the Coldfoot area, because such disposal was prohibited by statute. Also included in the land transfer was the transfer to the state of existing leaseholds and pending leasehold applications. The state is unable to renew existing leases as they expire or to consider new applications, or accommodate legitimate state needs. Besides the Summit Telephone application, there are existing leases, some of which are at Coldfoot to Petro Star, Inc., for a 33-acre parcel and a Uncal staging area at Franklin Bluffs. There are several other applications pending. "The DNR has testified that the lands involved and subject to leasing or sale are located in areas where such activity is presently allowed. Those are the five mile Yukon River Crossing, Coldfoot-Wiseman and the Happy Valley-Franklin Bluffs areas and Deadhorse. Senate Bill 210 would modify this ban and allow the DNR to lease land for nonresidential development. This would enable telephone service, airport and highway maintenance activities to proceed, as well as public service needs. I urge your favorable vote on this legislation. Thank you." SENATOR SHARP brought to the committee's attention an amendment which was made on the Senate floor by he and Senator Kerttula which provides that the state will not pay for any utility relocation in the highway right-of-way; any utility getting a lease in that area is on notice that any future relocation will be at their expense. He commented that this had been a concern of Senator Kerttula's. Number 129 REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked Senator Sharp if there was a letter of intent accompanying CSSB 210. Number 135 SENATOR SHARP responded in the negative, stating that the only action was the amendment on the Senate floor. Number 139 REPRESENTATIVE MULDER moved that CSSB 210 be moved from the House Transportation Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. Number 144 CHAIR FOSTER asked if there were any objections. There were none, and CSSB 210 was declared moved from committee. CHAIR FOSTER thanked Senator Sharp.