JOINT MEETING HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE February 23, 1999 1:40 p.m. COMMITTEE CALENDAR PRESENTATION: OVERVIEW OF THE SOUTHEAST ALASKA TRANSPORTATION PLAN BY THE DIVISION OF STATEWIDE PLANNING, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES TAPE(S) 99-6, SIDE(S) A & B [HOUSE TRA TAPE NUMBER] CALL TO ORDER Representative Beverly Masek, chair of the House Transportation Standing Committee, called the joint meeting with the Senate Transportation Standing Committee to order at 1:40 p.m. After the roll of House members was called, she turned the gavel over to Senator Jerry Ward, chair of the Senate Transportation Standing Committee. PRESENT Committee members present at the call to order were Representatives Masek, Halcro, Cowdery, Sanders, Kemplen and Kookesh, and Senator Ward. Representative Hudson and Senators Lincoln and Pearce arrived as the meeting was in progress. THOMAS B. BRIGHAM, Director, Division of Statewide Planning, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), presented an overview of the Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan, along with a handout by the same name. He answered questions regarding how altering the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) routes will affect communities, costs of operation and schedules. He also outlined the various options under consideration. ROBERT MARTIN, JR., Regional Director, Southeast Region, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, explained that governmental subsidy of the AMHS often makes it difficult for private ferry companies to compete in the market. ROBERT J. DOLL, General Manager of Ferry Operations, Southeast Region, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, answered questions regarding modifications needed for the new Kennicott ferry, and clarified that repairs have been covered under warranty. He addressed upcoming Y2K [year 2000 computer- related] concerns involving the Kennicott. JIM VAN HORN, City Assembly, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, testified in support of the option to cross the Cleveland Peninsula to Moser Bay by means of a 10-to-12 mile road linking up with ferry service. ERIC TAYLOR, Division of Statewide Planning, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, agreed to come up with specific numbers of individuals in the Cleveland Peninsula area who support or oppose the road option. MEL KROGSENG, Staff to Senator Robin Taylor, Alaska State Legislature, read a letter that Senator Taylor wanted entered into the record from Mike Scott, M.P., House of Commons, Canada. The letter addressed conservation concerns, involving mining, of the current administration in Alaska. PHYLLIS YETKA, Vice-Mayor, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, requested that specific numbers be tallied documenting support and opposition of the Cleveland Peninsula project. JACK SHAY, Mayor, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, added his support for the Cleveland Peninsula road project, and he expressed gratitude to the committees for their assistance. JUDY JENKINSON, City Council, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, emphasized that not all Southeast communities felt that increased traffic from altered ferry routes was necessarily a blessing. She stated her belief that Ketchikan would be happy to become a hub for the Alaska Marine Highway System. COMMITTEE ACTION The committees took no action. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:56 p.m. NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the House Records Office at 129 6th Street, Suite 229, Juneau, Alaska 99801, (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at 129 6th Street, Suite 102, Juneau, Alaska 99801, (907) 465-3808.