CSSB 210(RES): An Act relating to disposals of state land within five miles of the right-of-way of the Dalton Highway to a licensed public utility or a licensed common carrier; relating to disposals of state land for nonresidential development in nodes of development along the Dalton Highway; and allowing state leases and materials sales for construction or maintenance of airports along the Dalton Highway. Senator Sharp, sponsor of SB 210, testified in support of the bill. Amendment 1 by Senator Sharp was ADOPTED with no objections. CSSB 210(FIN) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a "do pass" and zero fiscal notes for the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 210(RES): An Act relating to disposals of state land within five miles of the right-of-way of the Dalton Highway to a licensed public utility or a licensed common carrier; relating to disposals of state land for nonresidential development in nodes of development along the Dalton Highway; and allowing state leases and materials sales for construction or maintenance of airports along the Dalton Highway. Co-chair Pearce invited Senator Sharp to speak to SB 210. Senator Sharp stated that under current statute the state was prohibited from disposing of or leasing state land within 5 miles of the right-of-way of the Dalton Highway. The state owned many acres that could not be leased or sold. These acres had recently been transferred from the federal to the state under the state selection process. He explained that the extreme limitations on state land did not recognize or allow for public need on the newly acquired state land. He went on to explain problems with both existing and new leases to utilities. He said this bill would enable telephone service, other utilities and airport and highway and other public service needs to be addressed. He urged favorable consideration of SB 210. Senator Sharp explained that his proposed amendment 1 would tighten the title enough to allow for reconstruction and maintenance of state highways and on page 2 would delete the words "the highway north of 68 degrees north latitude" and adds the words "or construction or maintenance of airports." End SFC-94 #25, Side 1 Begin SFC-94 #25, Side 2 Senator Rieger asked for a definition of a development node. Co-chair Frank believed that the BLM had been designated for service development. CLYDE STOLTZFUS, Special Assistant, Commissioner's Office, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities came before the committee to answer Senator Rieger's question. He said that BLM, in setting up a management scheme for the corridor, established eight development nodes. A node was a land area set aside to be managed for development. Co-chair Frank felt that the regulation would prevent the private sector from building restaurants or gas stations just anywhere. Mr. Stoltzfus said he did not know the size of a node but BLM managed them and it was constricted to a certain size. JERRY GALLAGHER, Legislative Liaison, Department of Natural Resources, said that there were maps available that showed the development nodes. The bill identified specific development nodes by name and were shown on this map. Distinct areas comprised several sections. These sections of state owned land were available along the corridor, comprised of several thousand acres, and generally south of the Brooks Range. Co-chair Pearce said the nodes were not necessarily by pump stations. They represented currently developed activities along the corridor for either road and airport maintenance, or road service facilities, such as, fish & game camps, gravel sites, etc. Senator Rieger asked the pattern going up the Dalton Highway. Mr. Gallagher confirmed that it was state-owned land that was being permitted for development. BLM land was not. He said it was especially true south of the divide on the Brooks Range. Yukon Crossing and Coldfoot were essentially the only state-owned land. Senator Rieger said he felt that BLM had drawn a line around the outside state-owned and said, this was the development node. Mr. Gallagher felt it was a fair assessment. Senator Sharp MOVED for adoption of amendment 1. No objections being heard, amendment 1 was ADOPTED. CO-CHAIR FRANK MOVED for passage of CSSB 210(FIN). No objections being heard, CSSB 210(FIN) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a "do pass", and zero fiscal notes for the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. Co-chairs Pearce and Frank, Senators Jacko and Sharp signed a "do pass." Senators Kelly and Rieger signed "no recommendation." ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:00 a.m.