The goal of this resolution is to complete the opening of the Dalton Highway from the Yukon River to the Arctic Ocean by the time this summer's tourism season gets under way.

At present, the Dalton Highway ends at one of two oil company checkpoints just seven miles from the Arctic Ocean - a situation which has proved frustrating for Alaskans and visitors alike.

While VIPs as well as oil company and government officials can walk the shores of the Arctic Ocean after driving the Dalton Highway, other Alaskans and visitors cannot - unless they pay a $20 fare to ride a bus to the Arctic Ocean. This bus option is a poor solution to the issue of access. For larger families, the fare is prohibitive. For the adventurous, time limits are prohibitive. For just about everyone, the limits are onerous.

Tourism is Alaska's second-largest industry. Restricted access to the Arctic Ocean causes damage to the state's image every time a traveler is blocked just miles from what is an obvious objective of that traveler's drive North.

It is clear that Alaska law sees the Dalton Highway as a road connecting the Arctic Ocean with the rest of the state. While oil companies claim leases of state land and ownership of private land permit them to keep the Dalton Highway closed, state statutes clearly show the people of Alaska are entitled to an easement to the Arctic Ocean (AS 38.05.127).

There is no reason why the oil companies and the state of Alaska cannot come to a reasonable agreement on this issue. This resolution in no way dismisses the need for some restrictions to access of oil company leases or private property.