Note to Readers: We left the wonderful town of Vancouver, B.C. early yesterday after an IOGCC meeting and are this morning preparing for meetings in Charlotte, N.C. Meanwhile, Carl Portman (NGP Photo) of the Resource Development Council for Alaska summarized how Alaskans once again came together to testify in support of sustaining the 49th State Economy last Monday night. Readers may wish to review our last federal government hearing summary (Alaskans Rocked at Last Night’s Hearing). Americans everywhere are aware of EPA efforts to expand jurisdiction. Here is a link to our review of the EPA vs. Sackett experience, and here is RDC’s review: May 22: Sacked by the EPA: The story of Mike and Chantell Sackett Their recent victory before the U.S. Supreme Court and why it matters to Alaska-dh
Summary of This Week’s EPA Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment Hearing
by
Carl Portman
emotional testimony. Overall, those in attendance were respectful of divergent views and the hearing was well organized by the agency, which strictly enforced a two-minute limit on all testimony.
By the conclusion of the hearing, over 100 people testified with 58 percent (62-44) speaking out against the watershed assessment and opposing preemptive action to thwart the state and federal permitting process, which would give the Pebble Partnership an opportunity to demonstrate how it
intends to develop its project without harming the Bristol Bay fisheries. There was also overwhelming testimony requesting EPA to revisit the study and commit to a more thorough investigation. They also urged the EPA to extend the public comment period on the draft assessment by at least 120 days, in line with the State Attorney General’s request. Others warned a preemptive veto would undermine due process, setting dangerous precedent for future projects across Alaska and challenging the state’s rights to responsibly develop natural resources on its own lands. Still others were upset that the first hearing on the Alaska issue took place in Seattle.
RDC would like to acknowledge the following people who spoke in defense of all projects being afforded the opportunity to be reviewed on their own merits through the existing permitting process: Senator Cathy Giessel, Senator Lesil McGuire, Representative Charisse Millett, Representative Dan Saddler, Martha Analog, Brad Angasan, Trefon Angasan, Val Angasan, Suzanne Armstrong, Chuck Becker, Con Bunde, Kati Capozzi, Sharon Cox, Reed Christensen, Bryan Clemenz, Deantha Crockett, Matt Fagnani, David Ferry, Charles England, Richard Freisinger, Steven Gosuk, Chuck Hawley, Bill Jeffress, Michael Jesperson, Richard Kholer, Beau Obrigewitch, Henry Olympic, Rachael Petro, Gail Phillips, Karen Matthias, John MacKenzie, John MacKinnon, Peter Macksey, Tom Maloney, Tim Mania, Sarah McCarr, Ben Mohr, Kara Moriarty, Nick Pepperworth, Rachael Petro, Gail Phillips, Renee Limoge Reeve, Lisa Reimers, Joel Sabanski, Mike Satre, John Shively, Donald Stevens, John Sturgeon, Aaron Stryk, Maynard Tapp, Aves Thompson, Bonnie Tusser, Keith Walters, Kris Warren, Jim Whitlock, Abe Williams, and RDC staff.
Those who did not attend the hearing may submit written comments by July 23. For details on where to send comments and specific comment points, please see the RDC Action Alert at:
Testimony of Rick Rogers.docx 120K View Download |
Pebble Testimony.docx 111K View Download |
Karen Matthias Testimony.docx 73K View Download |
EPA BB Watershed Testimony.docx 107K View Download |
T.Maloney.Pebble.Testimony.6.4.docx 15K View Download |
AOGA Testimony for EPA Watershed Assessment.docx 30K View Download |
120604 Pebble Public Opinion.pdf 136K View Download |
Senator Cathy Giessel Testimony June 4 2012.pdf 105K View Download |
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