Healy Gas Exploration BIF Creates Watershed for DCC?
November 29, 2010
DCC Reaches Another Watershed?
DNR Commissioner Tom Irwin’s decision to affirm the Final Best Interest Finding for Healy Basin Gas Only Exploration License creates a watershed moment for DCC in which the organization must choose carefully its future direction. While the DCC board is still examining opportunities to appeal the decision through the state court system, we must also be aware that legal action may not be possible or may fail. Then what?
DCC’s last watershed moment was 10 years ago in 2000. Read more
Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council to meet this Friday in Anchorage – December 3, 2010
November 28, 2010
Campbell Creek Science Center located at 5500 Science Center Drive in Anchorage
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DCC Members who find themselves in Anchorage this Friday should plan to drop in for all or part of this meeting. For directions or an agenda, email me at nancy@denalicitizens.org. The meeting is open to the public and has time allocated for public testimony. You may submit written and/or oral comments.
Why the need for an Overflights Advisory Council During the planning process to complete the 2006 Denali National Park & Preserve Backcountry Management Plan, the public identified impacts from aircraft overflights and airplane landings as a critical issue. While aircraft are an important means of visitor access to remote areas of the park, overflights and landings have resulted in substantial changes in the natural sound environment and have generated new conflicts with park users on the ground. In order to identify efforts that should be made to reduce impacts from aircraft overflights, the Overflights Advisory Council was created. The council will advise the Secretary of the Interior on measures for achieving desired future resource conditions as outlined in the Backcountry Management Plan. The Council will also develop voluntary measures for assuring the safety of passengers, pilots, and mountaineers.
The Council formed in 2007 and has already met 8 times, convening meetings in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali and Talkeetna. Items of interest on the agenda usually include presentations by the soundscape specialists from Denali National Park. The park is, at present, analyzing its entire soundscape and the council has identified certain “hotspots” or problem areas where non-natural sound may be a factor in resource integrity. The Council promotes education and awareness of this issue, and works together with commercial air service providers and park staff to develop solutions.
Additonal information on the Overflights Advisory Council is available at: http://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/aoac.htm If you have any questions about the meeting, contact Nancy Bale at 907-277-3825. I am a member of the Council, representing local environmental interests. You may email me, too at nancy@denalicitizens.org.
Healy Gas Exploration Final Finding affirmed with no changes
November 11, 2010
DNR Commissioner Tom Irwin rebuffs requests for reconsideration of Final Finding
Best Interests of local citizens jeopardized in a number of ways, despite assurances that they would be “of critical importance”
Sensitive lands remain vulnerable to surface impacts of gas drilling
On November 9, 2010 seven individuals and/or organizations who requested reconsideration of the Final Best Interest Finding on Healy Gas Exploration received letters from Commissioner of DNR Tom Irwin telling them that he had rejected all of their remedies to improve the Finding.
In our request DCC had urged the Commissioner to provide adequate public process, strengthen setbacks and mitigations and remove sensitive lands from the license area. The license area is 208,000 acres, completely surrounding the town of Healy and incorporating virtually all private and municipal land holdings in the area. To learn more about this lengthy and tortuous process, visit http://www.denalicitizens.org/healy-basin-gas-exploration-license
Please express your concern about this decision by signing our petition at the link below:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/healygasexploration
Our resolve remains clear - to secure a sustainable future for the Denali region- one that preserves sensitive lands, assures residential quality of life, and allows responsible resource development. A group of us has met to consider our options. If you would like to join this group, please email nancy@denalicitizens.org.
Alaska Department of Transportation soliciting comment on Parks Highway Redesign near the entrance to Denali National Park
November 9, 2010
Notice from DOT states: “The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in cooperation with the Alaska Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is preparing the environmental document for the Parks Highway Passing Lanes MP 163-305, 63515/IM-000S(716). To ensure that all factors are considered in the development of the environmental document, please provide your written comments by November 19, 2010.”
Link to webpage with figures and project summary:
http://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/parks-passing-lanes/
Scoping comments can be sent to Kindra Geis at the contact information below:
Kindra R. Geis|Northern Region PD&E |Alaska Department of Transportation
2301 Peger Road; Fairbanks, AK 99709 | (907) 451.2639 | kindra.geis@alaska.gov
Friends of Stampede group to meet this Saturday October 30
October 26, 2010
Join the discussion, Saturday October 30, 3 PM
Panguginue Creek Fire Hall near Healy, Alaska
But its future could be different – a real asset for the local community that benefits all Alaskans looking for accessible places to recreate, and who have relatively few options along the Parks Highway. There is a role for a citizens group to advocate for better management to address problems and provide solutions.
This Saturday, October 30th, 3 PM, Panguingue Creek Fire Hall
At the meeting we’ll refine, expand, or change our objectives, and get organized for action. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us a FriendsofStampede@gmail.com, or call Hannah Ragland at 683-0333.
Don’t miss the 2010 Candidate Forum in Healy this Wednesday October 20, 2010
October 17, 2010
Time: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 6 – 9 PM
Place: Tri-Valley Community Library
The Tri-Valley Community Library, together with US Government students from the Tri-Valley School will host the annual 2010 Political Candidates Forum. Candidates from local, state and national races have been invited, and those in attendance will answer questions posed by citizens. This event is traditionally well-attended so arrive early. Some light refreshments will be served (coffee/tea), but those things go quickly. You’re welcome to bring more to share.
If you are in the area, please attend the forum. And, if you have particular questions to ask the candidates, this will be your opportunity.
Get involved with Denali Borough issues, Fall 2010
October 10, 2010
Legislative priorities will be discussed at upcoming Denali Borough Assembly meetings. Local residents will have the chance to provide input on what these priorities should be during the state’s upcoming legislative session. In 2009 the Assembly included the Stampede State Recreation Area (SRA) in its top legislative priorities. You can let the Assembly know that you support the Stampede SRA, or let them know of other priorities you support, by emailing the Assembly office at dbgovt@mtaonline.net or your local Assembly Member, or by attending the Assembly meeting at 6 pm on Wednesday, October 13th, at the McKinley Village Community Center, or the November meeting in Cantwell.
The Assembly also hopes the public will comment on a draft ordinance that would enable the tracking of natural resource harvest in the Denali Borough. Read more
We remember Sandy Kogl
September 26, 2010
We remember Sandy Kogl, dear friend, loved one and advocate
Aug 15, 1943 – Sept. 13, 2010
Sandy Kogl, long time Denali resident, accomplished outdoorswoman, friend, loved one and advocate, passed away on September 13, 2010 at her home outside Talkeetna. Sandy was an early board member of DCC (in the 1970s) and continued on as a member of the organization. She will be dearly remembered and missed by her many friends, colleagues and loved ones far and wide.
On September 26th, there will be a celebration of her life in Talkeetna, her home since the mid-nineties, at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar at 3 PM. To read a printable version of the memorial published in the Anchorage Daily News, click here. You may also read it online at legacy.com and sign the guest book.
Donations can be made in care of Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union to “Sandy’s Circle,” a group dedicated to providing support for caregivers in the Talkeetna area.
Meet your representatives in Healy tonight-Sept 25
September 25, 2010
Senator Joe Thomas and Representative David Guttenberg to meet with constituents in Healy tonight ! Time: 7 -9 PM Place: Tri-Valley Community Center
Tonight will be a great opportunity for local DCC members to show up and share our issues and concerns with state representatives. Please make time to attend this meeting and raise your voice. Two specific concerns to share with our representatives are:
1. Healy Gas Development Final Finding under Reconsideration
Because of seven requests from local and regional constituents, this Finding is under reconsideration by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Tom Irwin. Be sure our representatives understand our concerns and help us to achieve a better Finding. 1) The Final Finding does not ensure adequate residential setbacks, 2) The Final Finding does not adequately protect water quality (including disclosure of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing), 3) The Final Finding does not exclude sensitive lands from the license area. Lands that were retained by the state for their value as wildlife habitat and for public recreation west of Healy should be excluded from the Final Finding. The development of gas resources has resulted in a number of impacts and problems in the lower 48. We want to avoid such impacts in the Healy area. Encourage our representatives to push for a better finding.
To read more on this issue, click here.
2. Stampede State Recreation Area We continue to favor the establishment of a State Recreation Area on lands west of Healy currently managed under the Division of Mining, Land and Water. To accomplish this, a new bill would need to be introduced in the next legislative session. Encourage your representatives to introduce and support such legislation, and to include 8 Mile Lake, the area most in need of more proactive management, within the proposed SRA. Read more here.
Denali Overflights Advisory Council to meet Friday September 10, 2010
September 5, 2010
Overflights Agenda September 2010
The eighth meeting of the Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council will take place this Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Murie Science and Learning Center, Mile 1.5 of the park road. The meeting is open to the public with time allocated for public testimony.
The Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council, envisioned in the Denali Backcountry Management Plan, is a federally chartered group responsible for advising the Superintendent, through the Secretary of the Interior, on mitigation efforts to reduce impacts from aircraft overflights on natural soundscape in the park, and to promote safety. The twelve members of the council represent a wide diversity of interest and expertise in the area of Denali and aviation. Click here to view their website. Read more
DCC’s request for reconsideration of Healy Gas Final Finding granted
July 31, 2010
We were pleased when Commissioner Tom Irwin of the Department of Natural Resources granted our request for reconsideration of the Healy Basin Gas Exploration Final Finding on July 28, 2010. We were one of 7 commenters whose concerns warranted reconsideration. To see the letter from the Commissioner granting our request, click here. Read more
DCC Annual Meeting
July 20, 2010
Saturday July 24, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM, Dessert reception begins, then meeting and speaker
Taiga Room, Motel Nord Haven, Healy, Alaska
Mile 249.5 Parks Highway
The Denali Borough, along with all railbelt communities, faces important energy decisions at this point in history. At every turn, we hear about new projects and proposals — gas wells, more coal power, bullet line, wind farms, hydro, solar — all have been touted as vital to our future.
Chris Rose, a dynamic speaker and expert in the field of renewable energy, will discuss a practical vision for our energy future and how renewable energy can and will fit into that future.
Don’t miss this opportunity to discuss the issue of energy as it affects our corner of the world. Dessert begins at 6:30, meeting and presentation follow at 7:15. all are welcome.