SENATOR COWDERY moved to calendar SB 255-LAND EXCHANGES: GOLD  CORD DEVELOPMENT. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked for an explanation of the measure. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS noted the bill needs a technical correction and asked Mr. Bus to describe it to the committee. MR. NICO BUS, Administrative Services Manager, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), explained that in the agreement between the state and the mining corporation, Section 18 requires legislative approval by the year 2001. The date needs to be changed to 2002. He explained that a lot of development is occurring at the Independence Mine in the Mat-Su area. DNR needs a little bit of the road for bus access and spoke to the mining corporation about a land exchange. The mining corporation agreed but the agreement will require legislative approval. The state will receive about six acres of land valued at about $68,000 from Gold Cord. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if DNR will transfer acreage to the Gold Cord in exchange. MR. JERRY BURNETT, staff to Senator Lyda Green, explained that in exchange, the state is providing the process to give Gold Cord title to adjacent mining claims, which is valued at about $6,500 less than the acreage. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS asked about the two Mat-Su Borough's resolutions supporting the land exchange, as they were not in members' packets. MR. BURNETT said Senator Green's office never received copies. SENATOR COWDERY moved to calendar SB 255 with the corrected date and its accompanying fiscal note. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS stated with no objection, the motion to calendar SB 255 carried. There being no further business to come before the committee, he adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m.