HCR 2-EXTEND ALASKA RAILROAD TO FT. GREELY  CHAIR WAGONER announced the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) asked him to make changes to this resolution. He hasn't had time to discuss those changes with the sponsor or to draft an amendment so they would take no action that day. SENATOR ELTON asked whether public testimony would be taken when the committee substitute was heard. If so, he would hold his questions until that time. CHAIR WAGONER said public testimony would be taken later and agreed holding questions until the CS was drafted was a good idea. REPRESENTATIVE BOB LYNN asked for favorable consideration of HCR 2 to extend the Alaska Railroad about 70 miles from Eielson AFB near North Pole to the Fort Greely anti-ballistic missile launch facility near Delta Junction. He noted letters of support in the packets from General Pat Gamble, President of the Alaska Railroad, Brigadier General Craig Campbell, Commissioner of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and former Representative Jeannette James. Extending the railroad would help support and maintain the missile site, mining and agricultural operations and increase the economic development of the North Pole to Delta Junction area. It would also take the railroad 70 miles closer for an eventual connection to the Lower 48 through Canada and bring great benefit to Alaska. SENATOR TAYLOR asked why the language, "and continue from thence to the Canadian border." was absent from the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN replied it was to keep the resolution simple and free of other issues. SENATOR TAYLOR said, "In deference to your request, I'll do the same." SENATOR ELTON understood missiles and missile components would necessarily travel by air and wondered what effect that would have on the economic viability of the rail extension. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN didn't know whether missiles and missile components would or would not be carried by rail, but rail would be used to build the infrastructure. SENATOR ELTON asked whether there was an existing right of way and if not, what needs to be done to create a right of way. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN replied that question would be better addressed when a bill is introduced. CHAIR WAGONER called for teleconferenced testimony. COMMISSIONER CRAIG CAMPBELL, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, advised the department supports the legislation, but they are encouraging the Senate to amend the resolution. The amendment would better define some of the issues raised during the House debate. He said Senator Elton's question was good because the long range plan envisioned by the DMVA is for a larger use operation than to simply transport missiles to Fort Greely. Missiles will be transported by air, but improving and supporting the airfield would be done by rail. The Army is also looking at developing the range near Fort Greely for the Striker Brigade and the brigade vehicles would be transported by rail. The Governor is looking at rail expansion for economic development in the Delta area and the department would support rail expansion for mining, agricultural, and industrial development that may be available. The department supports enlarging the resolution to include some of the specifics of reasons why extension from the Eielson AFB to Fort Greely makes economic sense for both Fort Greely and the region. SENATOR STEVENS asked how far it was from Fort Greely to the US/Canada border and the distance from the border to the railhead in Canada. COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL didn't know and suggested the question be directed to the railroad. SENATOR ELTON said since the mission is broader than service to the new missile sites, it would be helpful if he had a better understanding of the manpower and logistical needs from the military standpoint. COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he would address the request with the Army and the DMVA. The development of Fort Greely is happening rapidly with the increase of the missile defense program there as well as the potential for the training operations of the Striker Brigade. The military is very interested in the Fort Greely area for what it can provide for national security as well as for the state. SENATOR TAYLOR commented there should still be a right of way for the pipeline between Haines to Eielson AFB even though the pipe is no longer useful. COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL admitted he knew nothing about the current status of that line. MR. PETE HALLGREN, City Administrator for the City of Delta Junction, agreed with the comments made by Commissioner Campbell. There was no further testimony. CHAIR WAGONER announced HCR 2 would be held in committee.