Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Tuesday passed House Bill 320, sponsored by Representative John Harris (R-Valdez). HB 320 authorizes the Alaska Railroad to accept the Whittier DeLong Dock and associated lands from the federal government. HB 320 also authorizes the Alaska Railroad to convey those associated lands to the City of Whittier.

The US Army currently owns the DeLong Dock in Whittier. The Alaska Railroad has asked the Army to transfer the dock to the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), which Congress has approved. Such transfers to the ARRC require Legislative approval.

In July 1999, the City of Whittier and the ARRC entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the dock. Under terms of the MOU, the Railroad would own the dock and the City would own the land underlying the dock. The MOU further states that the City would lease the land underlying the north half of the dock to the ARRC and the ARRC would lease the south half of the dock to the City.

"This bill is needed to implement the provisions of the memorandum of understanding signed by both the Railroad and the City," Harris said. "It would allow the City to own the land and the Railroad to own the dock. Each would then be able to use its respective half for appropriate activities. As we anticipate the opening this summer of the Whittier tunnel to vehicular traffic, resolution of ownership of the dock will permit new economic development and encourage tourism in the area."

HB 320 passed the House unanimously.

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