DCC Files Response to State’s Healy Basin Gas Exploration Brief
January 24, 2012
Gas well on the Kenai Peninsula
Denali Citizens Council has taken the next step in the process of appealing the Final Finding for the Healy Basin Gas Only Exploration License by responding to the State of Alaska’s initial brief. DCC demonstrates in the reply that the Department of Natural Resources’ finding is not supported by the administrative record regarding both the size of the lease area and the required mitigation measures.You can read the entire brief here:
To read the earlier volleys:
Denali Citizen Council Opening Brief
For an overview of the entire issue, see our page on Healy Basin Gas Exploration.
State of Alaska Files Brief on Healy Basin Gas Exploration License
January 5, 2012
On December 30 the State of Alaska filed its brief responding to DCC’s appeal of the Healy Basin Gas Only Exploration License Best Interest Finding. The complete brief is attached. DCC is now working on its response to the State. You can find DCC’s opening brief and other background documents related to the gas exploration license on our Healy Basin Gas pages.
Brief of Appellee – Department of Natural Resources 12-30-11
View Nov-Dec DCC News online
December 11, 2011
Our end of year issue covers the controversial Fish and Game issues now before the local Denali Advisory Committee, the work of the Denali Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council, reaction to our comments on the Draft Denali Vehicle Management Plan, Poetry from Louise Gallop, and local projects such as Eva Creek Wind Power and the Neon ecological monitoring site. Click on the link to read the newsletter. Members receive a paper copy in the mail.
In-State Natural Gas Pipeline Seeks to Temporarily Use Denali Borough Lands
November 2, 2011
Reprinted from the September-October Denali Citizens Council News (with links to more information):
The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) discussed their Alaska Stand-Alone Pipeline (ASAP) plans for the Denali Borough at a Planning Commission meeting September 20th. AGDC hopes to begin geotechnical studies to “evaluate the feasibility” of burying the natural gas pipeline on Borough-owned lands southeast of the Nenana Canyon. To do so, they have applied for a “Temporary Land-Use Permit” to drill two, seventy-foot-deep boreholes. These boreholes would be used to help AGDC determine how, or whether, they could bury the proposed pipeline in this area. Permit documents were available for review at the meeting, and the Planning Commission passed a resolution of support. The Mayor approves the permit, as use of the land is less than one year. A statewide right-of-way (ROW) application was approved in August, the first in a series of permits that will be necessary for the project. While much of this ROW uses existing state highway and railroad corridors (and is mandated by founding legislation to try to do so), the pipeline detours away from the Parks Highway to avoid a seven-mile stretch of the highway that passes through Denali National Park. This bypass of the park travels through Borough land before connecting with the Willow-Healy Intertie ROW (a major energy transmission line), and then rejoining the highway around Carlo Creek. AGDC will work separately with private property owners, Native Corporations, Borough governments, etc. to establish easements traveling through private property.
Sep-Oct 2011 DCC News
October 31, 2011
Redistricting map showing proposed Denali Borough districts in Ordinance 11-18
The Draft Vehicle Management Plan and EIS tops the news in out latest edition of DCC News. Other features include Denali Borough redistricting, Eva Creek’s impact on birds and wildlife, and Underground Coal Gasification.
A Good Time – and a Good Deal – for Getting Your Well Water Tested
October 23, 2011
The State of Alaska has issued an exploration license to Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. to explore for gas within the Healy Basin which includes Healy, Ferry and the Stampede Corridor. Although DCC has filed an administrative appeal of this license, local citizens should understand that drilling activities may occur on or near their property in the near future. These activities can impact water quality without obvious signs on the surface. DCC has arranged for a group rate for homeowners wishing to test their water to establish their baseline water quality before any drilling takes place. Read more
State of Alaska moves to strike part of DCC’s appeal of Healy Basin Gas Exploration Finding
September 26, 2011
On September 7, 2011, the State of Alaska moved to eliminate one of the arguments in our initial appeal, filed on August 26, 2011, of the Healy Basin Gas Exploration Final Best Interest Finding. Our attorney, Peter Van Tuyn, filed an opposition to the motion on September 20, 2011. The judge will rule on the state’s motion soon, and after his ruling, the State of Alaska will have 20 days to file its opening brief.
Further delays and legal wranglings could occur. When all parties have completed their briefs and motions, the judge will then consider the arguments and make his decision. The review and final decision could take several months.
To read copies of the state’s motion to strike and DCC’s opposition, click the links below.
State of Alaska’s motion to strike one of DCC’s arguments in our Brief
DCC’s opposition to the State of Alaska’s motion to strike part of our initial brief
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who have already contributed to our effort. We need additional contributions to our Gas Fund. Please visit our Healy Basin Gas webpage to learn more and to make a contribution.
Jul-Aug 2011 DCC News
August 31, 2011
DNR Commissioner Dan Sullivan (center) speaks to attendees at meeting with DCC
Read DCC’s initial reaction to the Denali Park Road Vehicle Management Plan. Also in this edition DNR Commissioner Dan Sullivan meets with DCC to discuss Healy gas exploration, Jane Bryant has a new book, and our newest board member talks about the Vehicle Management Plan.
DCC files Opening Brief in its Appeal of Healy Gas Best Interest Finding
August 26, 2011
On August 26, 2011, the Denali Citizens Council (DCC) filed its opening brief in the Alaska Superior Court lawsuit against the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ award of a gas exploration license on approximately 208,000 acres of state lands in the Denali Borough. The brief details the legal deficiencies in DNR’s decision to grant Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. a license to drill for gas, including coalbed methane, in our neighborhoods and special places, and to do so without meaningful protections for our interests and area values.
DCC is not opposed to this gas development project in its entirety, but we are opposed to this license as currently structured and will aggressively defend our interests and our rights. With modest changes in line with the drilling approach that Usibelli originally sought for the Healy area, we believe the interests of all parties can be met.
You may view the opening brief by clicking the link below:
DCC Opening Brief_Healy Gas Best Interest Finding
For background on the Healy Basin Gas Exploration License, please see our write up on the topic and visit associated links.
Healy Basin Gas Exploration License
Eva Creek Wind Farm Permitting Phase Blows Through
August 22, 2011
The Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW) released four separate land-use permits associated with the Eva Creek Wind Farm, proposed for ridges east of Ferry. Of the Eva Creek permits applied for by Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA), two are associated with road use and development (over approximately 16 miles), one covers material sites and extraction (eight material sites to extract 309,730 cubic yards of gravel), and a fourth covers the land use required for the turbines themselves and associated infrastructure development (including 42,869 acres). In addition to structures planned for state land, a rail siding yard and warm storage building are planned for private land at the base of Ferry Rd.
A fifth land use permit, applied for by Brice, Inc., would grant up to fifteen acres for a construction staging site “adjacent to the Ferry Road, approximately one and one-half miles east of the Alaska Railroad.”
Wind, gas and coal updates at GVEA Healy Meeting
August 22, 2011
Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS — Golden Valley Electric Association plans to offer a public update on new wind, natural gas and coal power options on Aug. 25 in Healy.
GVEA President Brian Newton will offer a presentation on the Eva Creek wind project, new plans for trucking liquefied natural gas and the Healy Clean Coal plant at a noon luncheon of the Denali Chamber of Commerce at the 49th State Brewing Co., 248.5 Mile Parks Highway.
At 6 p.m., GVEA will conduct a separate public meeting about the Eva Creek project at the Tri-Valley Community Center.
From: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner – GVEA plans Healy meeting
The Fairbanks News-Miner has published a flurry of opinions regarding the Healy Coal Plant, which have encouraged a flurry of online conversation. Read more
DCC and NPCA support the FRAC Act – mandating disclosure of fracking chemicals
June 1, 2011
The FRAC Act, just re-introduced in Congress, would mandate disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, and would repeal the 2005 exclusion of fracking from provisions of the Clean Water Act. To read more about why the FRAC Act deserves YOUR support, visit the American Rivers site here.
Waters within Denali National Park could be affected by gas drilling in the Stampede Townships under a recently granted exploration license. Because of potential threats in Denali and other parks, the National Parks Conservation Association recently sent Congress a letter of support for the FRAC Act. To read the letter NPCA sent to Congress, click below.
NPCA Letter Supporting FRAC Act