Alaska State Legislature
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE GAIL PHILLIPS

For Immediate Release: July 21, 1998
Contact: Rep. Gail Phillips at (907)-235-2921.

Phillips Announces Federal Projects to Help Homer Area

Speaker Says Hard Work and Cooperation Key to Appropriations

Juneau -- Following years and months of behind-the-scenes work with United States Senator Ted Stevens, Representative Gail Phillips says Homer would receive over six million dollars in federal appropriations to help improve access to the region and to stimulate visitor interest through construction of a maritime wildlife facility.

Rep. Phillips said the Fiscal Year 1999 Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development/Veterans Administration Appropriation, which passed the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday, includes the following projects:

All these items have been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Stevens, but have not yet passed the full Senate. Joint House-Senate Conference Committees will meet in September to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget bills.

"I am extremely pleased that Senator Stevens was able to respond so favorably to my requests on behalf of the Homer area for these important projects. This is clearly encouraging news for Homer and a clear-cut example of what government should be doing to help pave the way for economic development," Phillips said.

Phillips noted that completion of the East End Road will play a major role in safe travel for the residents who live off the road. This road is a main thoroughfare and tourist route leading from the southernmost end of the Kenai Peninsula to the National Maritime Wildlife Center in Homer. It is also the only access road to the future site of the Kachemak Bay State Park Headquarters on the Cottonwood East and Park lands. Phillips noted that the dangerous roadway will finally be upgraded to a "first-class, safe highway."

The Wildlife Center will be funded by interest generated from the Dinkum Sands settlement. Phillips worked with Sen. Stevens for many years to secure funding for the Wildlife Center and said that money should logically be spent on Alaskan projects. "This will not cost taxpayers additional monies because of the Dinkum Sands funding mechanism. This money was generated from Alaska's resources and we deserve a portion of that to help build our state," Phillips said.

Sen. Stevens and Rep. Phillips worked closely with the City of Homer and their key advisor, Clem Tillion, to put together a package to complete the necessary funding for the Homer Dock project. The $500 thousand funds can be utilized for the preliminary work. Further the authorization for the Coast Guard to enter into a long-term agreement with the City for dedicated pier space will help bring this project much closer to reality.

Session: State Capitol, Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182 · Phone: (907) 465-2689 · Fax: (907) 465-3472
Interim: P.O. Box 3304, Homer, Alaska 99603 · Phone: (907) 235-2921 · Fax: (907) 235-4008