We have received this update from the Alaska Department of Transportation. Many of our constituents have written to us to let us know that the timing of the bridge opening is imperative to their salmon fishing livelihoods. As we receive the updates, we will post them to the blog.
| UPDATE #2: Williamsport to Pile Bay Road – Illiamna Bridge Repair Project
The work is proceeding well. While many variables could still affect the final schedule and delay the project, at this point in time the June 10th delivery deadline appears achievable. DOT’s contractors have pioneered/plowed the road from both the Williamsport and Pile Bay ends of the road to the bridge site. The road condition is still a bit sketchy from Williamsport to the bridge with only track vehicles now able to make it over the pass. Bridge repair materials were helicoptered to the bridge site on Tuesday. The contractor brought multiple welders so they can speed up the welding process. The Bailey Bridge representative is now on site and creating the final repair plans for the bridge. We should have a good indication by mid week about the extent of the repairs. The project completion date remains June 10. New project updates will be provided weekly, or more often as late-breaking news may dictate. Project updates will also be made available at the alaskanavigator.org and 511.alaska.gov websites. |
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The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 254 airports, 11 ferries serving 34 communities, 5,700 miles of highway and 660 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.
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We have received this update from the Alaska Department of Transportation. Many of our constituents have written to us to let us know that the timing of the bridge opening is imperative to their salmon fishing livelihoods. As we receive the updates, we will post them to the blog.
UPDATE: Williamsport to Pile Bay Road – Illiamna Bridge Repair Project
According to schedule, the barge left Homer and landed at Williamsport on the high tide of Saturday, May 5. The project team will stage from Williamsport and begin making their way to the bridge site, clearing snow as they go. The project completion date remains June 10. New project updates will be provided weekly, or more often, as late-breaking news may dictate. Project updates will also be made available at the alaskanavigator.org and 511.alaska.gov websites.
The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 254 airports, 11 ferries serving 34 communities, 5,700 miles of highway and 660 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.
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Here is a link to view the Kodiak Island Borough School District Budget Presentation. This PowerPoint presentation has helpful information on understanding budget cycles, timelines, enrollment histories and projections and revenue vs. expense.
KIBSD FY13 Budget Presentation to Assembly 5.1.12
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council will be meeting in Kodiak from June 6-12. A full agenda for the meeting is available here: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/PDFdocuments/meetings/0612dAgenda.pdf
We recieved this progress update from the EPA on the draft watershed assessment-
Greetings -
The draft watershed assessment for Bristol Bay should be available for public and scientific peer review by the middle of May.
There will be a public comment opportunity for 60-days after the draft assessment is released. We will provide instructions on how and when to submit comments to the Bristol Bay docket by e-mail, online, in writing, or at a public meeting.
We plan to hold public meetings during the first two weeks of June in several locations, including Dillingham, Newhalen, Naknek, Nondalton, New Stuyahok and Anchorage. Webinar presentations will also be scheduled for people who are not able to attend a public meeting.
The nomination opportunity for peer reviewers closed on March 16. The independent contractor, Versar, is reviewing the nominations and will select the final panel. EPA will request your input on the draft charge questions to peer reviewers later in May. The names of the peer review panelists will be announced at that time.
You can check the project website: www.epa.gov/bristolbay for updated information.
Judy Smith
Community Involvement Coordinator
smith.judy@epa.gov
The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided a presentation this morning in House Resources Committee, exploring the revenue impacts of the Governor’s new oil tax bill, HB3001.
The following file is an extract from that presentation, which looks at the projected revenue decreases should the bill pass as written.
Ouzinkie will receive its first regularly scheduled ferry service from the Tustumena, starting this upcoming Friday, April 27th. The ferry will stop at Ouzinkie on its way to Kodiak, then return to the community later that evening as the ferry heads back to Homer.
To see the schedule for the upcoming sailing, check here: TUS4-27ouz
To search sailings by ship or by port, use the sailing calendar: https://www.dot.state.ak.us/oars/reservations/CalendarFM.amhsf
The regular legislative session of 2012 wrapped up last night. Each legislature runs for two years, with two regular sessions during that time. Our session that ended last night was the second of that two-year run. At the end of the second year, the legislature adjourns “sine die“–Latin for “without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing.” In practical terms, this means that all legislation that has not passed both bodies of the legislature (House and Senate) by adjournment dies, and must be reintroduced in a future year to be considered again.
Click to see the Proclamation
For the second year running the Governor has pulled us back into special session. It will start Wednesday at 1pm. There are three bills on the Governor’s “call,” or list of legislation we are to address. The first is legislation related to oil taxes. We expect the Governor to present us with a new bill to work with, rather than pick up SB192 or HB110. The second is House Bill 9, Speaker Chenault’s bill to move an in-state gasline forward. The final piece of legislation on the call is House Bill 359, which deals with sex-trafficking of minors, which died in the Senate on adjournment.
This time of year is typically high on emotion, with people’s personal legislation failing to pass the legislature, and some amount of finger-pointing about why that happened. But overall I feel we had some major accomplishments. Furthermore, District 36 fared very well in our capital budget this year. Though projects in the budget are still subject to the Governor’s veto, there are some very noteworthy community priorities that received funding assistance this year. A complete list of the projects that were funded this year, including items the Governor chose to fund in Kodiak, is available at http://www.alanausterman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SB-160-Capital-Budget-4.14.12.png. Some highlights include:
- Waterfront Infrastructure: The City of Kodiak, Port Lions, and Igiugig have appropriations in the capital budget for critical dock infrastructure. Port Lions received $3,000,000, which should help them complete the reconstruction of the ferry dock in the village. The Pier III replacement in Kodiak was funded to the tune of $18.1 million in the capital budget, plus another potential $15 million in the statewide General Obligation Bond, which voters will see on the ballot in the fall. In Igiugig, $75,000 will support repair of their public waterfront landing.
- Road Work: Newhalen and Nondalton both received funding for critical community roads.
- Parks and Recreation: The Baranof Park project receives and additional $3.65 million in the capital budget, and the Women’s Bay playground upgrades are funded to the tune of $100,000. In addition, Island Trails Network will receive a third year of funding to continue trail work on Near Island, as well as the implementation of community trail priorities in the urban Kodiak area.
- Utility Work: Levelock and Karluk both receive funding to make upgrades to electrical metering systems.
- Fishery Support: The Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association received a second year of funding for deferred maintenance at their hatchery facilities at Kitoi Bay and Pillar Creek.
Education Funding
One of our significant accomplishments this year was to implement a strong education funding program, as well as a commitment to give serious study to education financing and the quality of our educational system during interim, with an eye toward legislation and policy work in the 2013 legislature. I’ve heard back from a number of constituents already about our educational funding package, and am happy to hear that families are breathing a sigh of relief. To read more about the House’s total education package, click on the flyer to the right.
One of the most promising pieces of our new plan is that the state assumes a greater portion of the cost of education, particularly in growing communities. For Kodiak, this amounts to $966,000 in offset municipal taxes. As our community wrestles with our own commitment to education funding, this allows us to have the conversation about reinvesting that money right back into education.
I and my staff would be more than happy to review the details with you by phone, so don’t hesitate to call.
Kids Don’t Float
I’m also proud to have carried legislation to extend the life of the state’s boating safety programs, and particularly that of the Kids Don’t Float life jackets program. The legislation, which had passed the House late last month, squeaked through the Senate in the last hours of yesterday’s session. This excellent program has saved lives, and I’m glad to see it live on.
What’s Next?
The Legislature will remain here in Juneau for the upcoming special session, which can last up to 30 days. It’s somewhat tough to square up for another 30 days of legislative work when home had been beckoning, but I hope we can have good deliberations on the legislation on the call. Because my position as Majority Leader involves some of the operation of the House, one of my staff, Erin Harrington, will remain here in Juneau with me. My other staff member, Astrid Lievano, will be making the long drive/ferry ride back to Kodiak to get the district office reopened for the interim.
I’d like to thank Daisy West, who served as my third staffer during the legislative session here in Juneau. Her extremely capable work helped my office function smoothly and efficiently, and I hope those of you who called enjoyed finding a familiar voice on the receiving end of the line.
Keep in Touch
You can reach me here in Juneau for the next several weeks, by calling 800-865-2487. In another 10 days or so you should also be able to find Astrid in our Kodiak office. We all are happy to answer your questions and hear your concerns.
The below link will take you to a document that explains the education funding plan from the House Majority Caucus.
House Majority Caucus FY2013 Education Plan
The newest iteration of the capital budget, SB 160, has passed out of the House Finance Committee. This version of the bill is expected to remain largely the same as it goes to the House Floor.
District 36 sees investments in many capital projects, large and small ranging from airport infrastructure in Old Harbor to road work in Newhalen and Nondalton to support for small non-profits with a variety of missions. We will keep you posted as this bill continues to advance. In the meantime, click below to review the projects that are funded.
