Max Baucus: “There may be a difference in the road. I don't know. One more point, in case folks haven't been listening to the entire…”

“There may be a difference in the road. I don't know. One more point, in case folks haven't been listening to the entire debate: My view is there is a medical need. That is clear. According to the State of Alaska, it is no greater, or no worse, than the needs of other similar communities in Alaska. There are several studies. Two are going on to try to address the best solution. The studies are looking at not only determining the best of three routes-- air, water, road--but also trying to figure out how to increase the commercial viability of these communities. The real purpose here is to economic development. That is the driving force behind this road. To sum up, let's wait until the studies are completed. When they are completed, my guess is that we will find a better way to help the people in King Cove, and in a way that does not disrupt a very sensitive national wildlife refuge wilderness area where hundreds of thousands of birds stop over in the spring and in the fall to feed and store up food for the breeding grounds in the northern part of Alaska, or to fly south.”