Dehcho Challenges Remain For Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Sponsors Former Mayor Jim Whitaker (NGP Photo) takes over Port Authority...seeks North Slope gas supply Comment:  In 1959 State and Federal leaders agreed Alaskans had justified statehood based on their ability to become a self-sustaining, natural resource state.  Today, we have identified federal natural resource policies designed to return Alaska to a pre-statehood dependency on the Federal government.  State policies -- which govern investment on state-controlled lands -- have become decidedly investment-unfriendly.  Both state and federal cooperation is needed for Alaska's natural resources based [...]