45 U.S.C. § 1201 : US Code - Section 1201: Findings

Search 45 U.S.C. § 1201 : US Code - Section 1201: Findings

The Congress finds that -
(1) the Alaska Railroad, which was built by the Federal
Government to serve the transportation and development needs of
the Territory of Alaska, presently is providing freight and
passenger services that primarily benefit residents and
businesses in the State of Alaska;
(2) many communities and individuals in Alaska are wholly or
substantially dependent on the Alaska Railroad for freight and
passenger service and provision of such service is an essential
governmental function;
(3) continuation of services of the Alaska Railroad and the
opportunity for future expansion of those services are necessary
to achieve Federal, State, and private objectives; however,
continued Federal control and financial support are no longer
necessary to accomplish these objectives;
(4) the transfer of the Alaska Railroad and provision for its
operation by the State in the manner contemplated by this chapter
is made pursuant to the Federal goal and ongoing program of
transferring appropriate activities to the States;
(5) the State's continued operation of the Alaska Railroad
following the transfer contemplated by this chapter, together
with such expansion of the railroad as may be necessary or
convenient in the future, will constitute an appropriate public
use of the rail system and associated properties, will provide an
essential governmental service, and will promote the general
welfare of Alaska's residents and visitors; and
(6) in order to give the State government the ability to
determine the Alaska Railroad's role in serving the State's
transportation needs in the future, including the opportunity to
extend rail service, and to provide a savings to the Federal
Government, the Federal Government should offer to transfer the
railroad to the State, in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter, in the same manner in which other Federal transportation
functions (including highways and airports) have been transferred
since Alaska became a State in 1959.