Senator Dennis Egan - Legislative Corner

Volume 5: Issue 5

February 28th, 2013

Sen. Egan with SERRC’s ESL & Citizenship students,volunteer Ellen Walker, instructor Heather Parker, and Sen. Huggins.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

State Parks Progress
We recently had a visit from the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Director Ben Ellis and Southeast Superintendent Mike Eberhardt. He briefed us about progress made in Southeast Area State Parks during the 2012 season, including:

Completing two new public use cabins at Eagle Beach State Recreation Area. Both cabins are so popular that the next six months of weekends are already reserved at both cabins.
Marine debris removal in the Juneau Channel Islands State Marine Park.
Renovations to and re-opening of the Wickersham State Historical Site for public use, including offering guided tours.
Hosting and helping organize and staff an ‘Arts in the Park’ event at Eagle Beach State Recreation Area.
Repairs and improvements to the Gruening Cabin in the Gruening State Historical Site
Repairs to the Oliver Inlet Tram

Over the past few years, Juneau’s legislators inserted funding for all the infrastructure improvements on that list.

The Juneau legislative delegation had the opportunity to co-host an event at the House of Wickersham earlier this month. Members of the Juneau Area State Parks Advisory Board led legislators and staff—even Lt. Governor Treadwell — around the house to show off some recent renovations. They also served waffles to honor the memory of the house’s longtime resident and sourdough connoisseur, Ruth Allman.

New Ferry Design Concept
The Senate Transportation Committee will hear a presentation from DOT Commissioner Pat Kemp on the design concept for new AMHS shuttle ferries this Thursday, February 28th. If you’re interested in hearing the presentation, come by room 124 from 1-2pm or tune in online at http://akl.tv/.

AMHS 50^th Anniversary Event: MV Malaspina’s Golden Voyage
Inspired by its inaugural sailing, the MV Malaspina will make a special sailing through Southeast May 1-5th in celebration of the Marine Highway’s 50th anniversary. The trip includes stops in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines and Skagway, and special cruises in Misty Fjords and Tracy Arm. Tickets are available now by phone: 1-800-642-0066. More information and a full calendar—including community events in each port—are available here.

Kudos from Juneau

Thanks to these community members for helping make Southeast a great place to live!

Sisters’ geography skills are superior
Two sisters in Gustavus took first and second places in Gustavus’ annual Geography Bee on January 11th. Bethany Bohlke won first place for the third consecutive year, while her sister Scherion came in 2nd.

Pogonophoraphobia Prowess
Once again, Juneau-Douglas High School took top honors at the Alaska Tsunami Ocean Sciences Bowl. Team Pogonophoraphobia consists of Johnny Elliot, Sam Kurland, Johnny Connolly, Ruby Steedle, and Olivia Raster. They’re coached by Ben Carney. Their research project was on the Comparative Ecosystem-Based Management of Several Forage Fishes in the Changing Berners Bay Estuary. They head to Milwaukee, Wisconsin April 18-21 to compete in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl. While they’re there, they’ll tour the R/V Sikuliaq, the Alaska-bound ice-capable research vessel being built in Marinette, WI. If you’re wondering what pogonophoraphobia means, it’s an irrational fear of a kind of marine worms (beard worms). Well done, team!

Thanks for reading Legislative Corner. I hope you'll always feel welcome to contact my office. Just call, write, or use one of the links at the top of this newsletter.

Sincerely,
[signed] Dennis Egan

Dennis Egan
Alaska State Senator
District P
Web Site: http://egan.alaskasenate.org/
Email: Sen.Dennis.Egan@akleg.gov