Copyright 1999 Federal News Service, Inc.
Federal News Service
MARCH 10, 1999, WEDNESDAY
SECTION: IN THE NEWS
LENGTH:
769 words
HEADLINE: PREPARED STATEMENT OF DAVE C. COBB
MAYOR, CITY OF VALDEZ, ALASKA
BEFORE THE HOUSE
RESOURCES COMMITTEE
SUBJECT - H.R. 701:
CONSERVATION AND
REINVESTMENT ACT OF 1999
BODY:
The City of
Valdez SUPPORTS this legislation to provide
- Coastal Impact Assistance to
State and local governments; - Revitalize the Land and Water Conservation Fund
STATESIDE Program; - And, to aid wildlife programs.
We believe it is wise to
RE-INVEST revenues (from our non-renewable natural resources) in resources that
provide long-term public value.
TITLE 1: COASTAL IMPACT ASSISTANCE
The
Federal Government has a responsibility to the States and local governments
affected by the development of Federal mineral resources to mitigate adverse
environmental and public service impacts incurred due to that development.
-
Valdez has spent more than $150 million on infrastructure to mitigate the public
service impacts that resulted from oil development in Alaska.
- The impacts
continue more than 20 years after the initial development:
- Population
increases and decreases, depending on oil production and pricing fluctuation,
create an unstable environment for our local government.
- The costs to
maintain infrastructure and public service needs do not rise and fall with the
price of oil.
- Property Tax base down 59% since 1980
- Oil and Gas
property is declining in value an average of 7% annually since 1990
-
Population up 25% since 1980
- The level of governmental services are tied
to the Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline - Alyeska Marine Terminal
- Port and Dock
services
- Police services (specialty training in bomb unit, terrorism and
other security issues)
- Fire services and equipment (petroleum fire
fighting apparatus)
TITLE 2: LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND
- The City
of Valdez supports full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900
million and full funding of the STATESIDE Program.
- State and Local
governments are an integral component in meeting the nation's outdoor recreation
needs.
- Public access to recreation opportunities and facilities depends on
a combined system of local, state and federal sites and services.
- More
than 367 projects have been constructed in 45 different Alaskan communities and
on State Parks lands since the Land and Water Conservation Fund was established.
Each of these projects plays a key role in meeting the outdoor recreation needs
of our nation.
- Valdez has more than $1 million dollars of outdoor
recreation projects that are eligible for LWCF Stateside funding. - These
projects include campground renovation, winter recreation facilities, parks, and
beachfront access developments.
- These projects not only help to meet the
needs of our local residents, but provide critical support to Alaska's tourism
industry.
- A prime example is the proposed new Marine Park in Valdez. Funds
from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Settlement were recently allocated to purchase
90 acres of Waterfront property in Valdez. The City of Valdez has donated an
additional 50 acres of adjoining property, and Alaska State Parks has agreed to
manage the property. Funds from the LWCF Stateside Program would help to develop
outdoor recreation opportunities such as trails, picnic areas, restrooms, etc.
- This Marine Park would provide outstanding recreational opportunities for
visitors from throughout the United States and our local residents.
-
Expanding the services offered to Alaska's visitors creates additional economic
opportunities for Alaska's visitor industry.
- Other Alaskan communities
such as Fairbanks, Unalaska, Sitka, Anchorage, Barrow and Juneau have more than
$60 million dollars in projects that need to be funded. I have several letters
that are included in the packet and many more are on their way.
- Alaska
State Parks has more than $5 million dollars in projects that are in need of
funding.
- The decision of funding projects needs to be made on a
local/state level. States have successfully implemented LWCF Stateside funds for
more than 30 years. Statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plans ensure that
resources are shared in a balanced manner and that needs that are unique to a
state or region is met. ALASKANS need to DECIDE what is IMPORTANT IN ALASKA -
not someone in Washington DC.
- Recreation facilities - Create Healthy
Communities / A Healthy Nation - Places for families to play together and spend
quality time in a low stress activity - Places for children to learn skills and
experience nature - Create Economic Opportunities - Increase/Support Tourism -
Enhances Land and Property Values
TITLE 3: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND
RESTORATION - The City of Valdez supports funding of, AND URGES LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ACCESS TO, wildlife conservation and restoration programs.
END
LOAD-DATE: March 14, 1999 
