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Transportation and Infrastructure
Paving a Path to Alaska's Future
From the very beginning of my career I have understood
the significant role which transportation and infrastructure
plays in the success or failure of Alaska's current
and future goals. That is exactly why I worked to become
Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee, a position which I held for the better part
of a decade. With my seniority, I am able to influence
and direct legislation which affects some of the most
important foundations of our Alaskan lifestyle and lifeblood.
It is thanks to the confidence you've had in me, and
thanks to the support of my colleagues in Congress that
we have reached this powerful position - a position
which has been 35 years in the making and one that will
continue to provide for my fellow Alaskans.
I believe in producing results instead of promises.
Here are just a few of the things which I have been
working on as your Representative in Congress.
A landmark bill which we were able to pass during my
leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee was: H.R. 3, SAFETEA-LU, a bill which
reauthorized the Federal highway, public transportation,
highway safety and motor carrier safety programs. All
while providing funds for the maintenance and improvement
of our Nation's roads, bridges, and transit systems.
It also created tens of thousands of jobs for Americans
across the country and provided funding for essential
road and transportation projects in Alaska.
H.R. 3 also saw the creation of the Denali Access
System Program which is overseen by representatives
of regional Native Corporations, native nonprofit entities,
and tribal governments. This program directs much needed
funds to rural Alaskan communities in need of transportation
projects. The program provides $15 million each year
for improvements to or new construction of local streets,
roads, boardwalks, dust abatement, boat launch sites
and inter-village road connections.
After several years of negotiations and hard work,
the Water Resources Development Act, H.R. 1495
has finally become law. This bill is responsible for
authorizing the necessary funds for flood control, hurricane
protection, and navigation and ecosystem restoration
projects across the Nation. In addition, it includes
authorizing language for 21 Alaska programs in communities
across the state.
Bills Passed by the House and Voted For
H.R. 3619 – Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal years 2010 and 2011
This bill included language directing the Coast Guard: to conduct vessel traffic risk assessments in Cook Inlet and Prince Williams Sound, determine data and resources necessary oil spill response, tug and salvage, aids to navigation, and search and rescue capabilities in the Arctic. The bill also gives a retired Coast Guard cutter to a non-profit organization in Juneau for a museum and authorizes funding for a survival course to be taught to Coast Guardsmen by a company in Sitka.
H.R. 915 - FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009
The legislation authorizes long term funding stability for the Airport Improvement Program for airport capital projects. Also includes language for a land conveyance to Municipality of Anchorage.
Bills Cosponsored
H.R. 5301- Clean Estuaries Act of 2010
This bill exempts commercial fishing vessels from having to get an EPA permit for discharges that are incidental to normal operations (bilge water, deck runoff, graywater, etc). The bill was reported out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and will be on the House floor shortly.
H.R. 1262 - Water Quality Investment Act
This bill would continue the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, which funds wastewater infrastructure projects in states with federal grant funding. Communities can use the funding as low interest loans. 15 percent of the funding must go to communities under 10,000 and another portion is reserved for AK Native Villages and Indian reservations.
H.R. 2172 - United States Ferry System Investment Act
This bill would provide a formula in law that includes route miles, allowing AK Marine Highway System, to maintain consistent funding stream from Federal Highway Administration
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