Young’s bills - “The Alaska Water Resources Act of 2007” (H.R. 1114) and “The Denali National Park and Alaska Railroad Land Exchange Act of 2007” (H.R. 830) - were approved as part of package of bills in the “Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008” (S.2739).

The overall package was approved by a 291 to 117 vote.

Both of Young’s bills had previously been approved by the House Natural Resources Committee, where Young serves as the Ranking Member.

“ Alaska Water Resources Act”

This legislation is designed to conduct studies on Alaska’s groundwater resources and water treatment needs, and improve streamflow information in Alaska to improve flood forecasting, resource extraction and fire management.

Young’s bill directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), to conduct studies on groundwater resources, water treatment needs and desalination in the State of Alaska .

“Over the last 25 years, there have been numerous studies of aquifer systems by the USGS on a regional scale but Alaska has not been significantly included in these studies,” Young said. “These studies are needed in Alaska , which is rich in energy resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, and coal bed methane. Development of these resources may require the use or disposal of large amounts of groundwater.

“This important bill seeks to expand Alaska ’s water supply system and reduce flood threats. Alaska’s combined water bodies comprise one-third of all the fresh water in the , but many of our communities are struggling to provide drinking water due to an outdated water distribution system and lack of adequate information on ground-water resources. For this reason, this bill will include a survey of potential water supplies on the City of Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the City of Fairbanks , and the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

“The bill will also improve streamflow information to improve flood forecasting, resource extraction and fire management. Streamflow information in the form of USGS streamgaging stations is insufficient in Alaska compared to other states. In fact, Alaska only has 100 streamgaging stations, which provides less than 10 percent of the information available in many other states. This bill will help alleviate this situation.”

Some of the major provisions included in the Alaska Water Resources Study are:

• A survey of accessible water supplies, including aquifers, on the Kenai Peninsula and in the Municipality of Anchorage , the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the City of Fairbanks , and the Fairbanks North Star Borough;
• A survey of water treatment needs and technologies, including desalination, applicable to the water resources of Alaska ;
• A review of the need for enhancement of the streamflow information collected by the USGS in the State relating to critical water needs in areas such as:
  - Infrastructure risks to State transportation
  - Flood forecasting
  - Resource extraction
  - Fire management.

“The Denali National Park & Alaska Railroad Land Exchange Act”

This legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to exchange up to 25 acres of park lands in Denali National Park for an equal number of acres of lands currently owned by the Alaska Railroad Corporation which will allow for a turn-around track at the Denali Railroad Station allowing for more frequent train service and improved flexibility in trip scheduling.

“This land exchange will assist the Alaska Railroad in improving and expanding its service to Denali National Park ,” Young said. “As a result, more Alaskans and tourists will be able to enjoy the experience of this magnificent rail trip to Denali National Park .”

The Alaska Railroad is a state-owned railroad that carries passengers and freight. Started by the Federal government in the early 1900’s, it was sold to the State of Alaska in 1985.

The main line of the railroad is nearly 500 miles long, from its southernmost point in Seward to Fairbanks . One of its major stops between Anchorage and Fairbanks is Denali National Park , one of the State’s most popular tourist attractions. To serve Denali , the Alaska Railroad Corporation owns an easement on federal lands managed by the National Park Service within the park boundaries.

The purpose of Young’s legislation is to provide for an exchange under which the railroad acquires an easement for the construction of a turn-around track in Denali . At present, a train traveling north from Anchorage must proceed past the Denali Station to go to Fairbanks to turn around, and a southbound train from Fairbanks must turn around at Anchorage . A turn-around track at the Denali Station would enable more frequent train service from both cities and improve flexibility in scheduling.

Under Young’s bill, the lands obtained by the Railroad would be subject to the same restrictions as the lands it exchanges. The lands acquired by the Park Service would be included as part of the adjoining Denali National Park Wilderness. The Alaska Railroad would pay the costs of the exchange.