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
Friends of Yanert seek to retain non-motorized hunt
May 25, 2011
A group of concerned citizens has submitted a proposal to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game arguing to retain the Yanert Controlled Use Area. This special area, where only non-motorized hunting is allowed, has been in place for decades and includes the entire valley of the Yanert River, east of Denali National Park. A recent proposal by the Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee sought to open the Yanert to motorized hunting after September 30th every year. The Friends of Yanert proposal lists several reasons why such a change would reduce the quality of the resource and probably would not solve any problems, either. The proposal will not be considered until March 2012. To read the proposal, click the link below.
Friends of the Yanert proposal to Retain Non-Motorized Area
DEC Permits Herbicide Spraying in Healy Railyard
May 14, 2011
This permit began with a 2006 effort by the Alaska Railroad to spray a suite of herbicides on their entire track, and has ended with a permit for one herbicide and a carrier for railyards in Healy, Anchorage and Fairbanks. Public comment DID make a different, despite the ultimate outcome, in reducing the scale and scope of this operation. To read the final decision and summary of comments, click below.
ARRC 2011 Herbicide Permit Decision Document
Mar-April DCC News focuses on Denali’s gateway issues
April 20, 2011
Our cover article highlights the work of the Denali Borough Planning Commission, with some examples of the challenges faced by this young borough. Other articles include:
- Thank you for Not Fracking - Molly McKinley, DCC Gas Organizer, discusses her work in the borough to educate and advocate around a recently issued gas exploration license on lands next to Denali Park.
- More on Eva Creek Wind Farm, one of the largest projects proposed for the state to generate power from wind, and located near Healy, by Cass Ray.
- Information on a Climate Change Research Project being conducted in the Denali Region, by Erica Watson.
- A description of her Juneau experience by local student Emily Brease, whom DCC sent to Juneau for the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action Civics Summit.
And much more……
Mar-Apr 2011 DCC News
Support Tangle Lakes State Wildlife Refuge
April 3, 2011
Our good friends at the Copper Country Alliance have made a smart and benefiical proposal to establish a State Wildlife Refuge in a portion of the Tangle Lakes Watershed. This is country at the eastern end of the Denali Highway that many of us have visited and enjoyed, great for water recreation, hiking and berry picking. Have a look at the Tangle Lakes website for more information, and check out DCC’s latest alert for what YOU CAN DO to advocate for this Refuge.
Middle Nenana Fish & Game Advisory Committee to Meet
March 31, 2011
The Middle Nenana Fish & Game Advisory Committee will meet Monday, April 4 at 6:00pm at the Tri-Valley School, in the Science Room, Rm 123. Topics on the agenda will include preparing proposals for the Interior and/or Statewide Board of Game meeting and discussion of Game Management Unit 20A population estimates. The full agenda is attached.
Middle Nenana F&G AC Draft Agenda 4 4 2011
Tell the Board of Game you oppose a Yanert Valley motorized hunt.
February 27, 2011
When we first learned of Proposal 232, due to be heard by the Alaska Board of Game at its upcoming meeting in Wasilla, we knew there would be widespread opposition. Thanks to all of those who sent written comments in time for their comments to be included in the official record. You can still comment on this proposal. Click here to see DCC’s alert on this issue, which contains background and talking points. DCC’s written comments are attached here. Other public and AC comments can be viewed in the official website for Fish and Game here.
Next step….Plan to attend the Board of Game meeting this Friday-Saturday, March 4-5, and testify. The meeting will be held at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn in Wasilla. Sign-up to testify begins at approximately 8 AM on Friday and ends at 10 AM on Saturday. Public testimony will continue until complete and may spill over into Sunday the 6th. Your attendance and personal comment are very important. A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
Local meetings in Healy this week include Friends of Stampede & Climate Change Research
February 20, 2011
Friends of Stampede to meet Tuesday, Feb 22, 7 PM
Panguingue Creek Fire Hall
At this meeting, we’ll hear from Tom Paragi and Frank Keim, two Fairbanks residents who are experienced with Alaska State Park and Recreation Areas, and related conservation issues. Tom was a member of the Northern Region Citizens Advisory Board for six years. This is the board that is responsible for advising State Park and Recreation sites in the Fairbanks area. They will be sharing their experiences with areas similar to the proposed Stampede State Recreation Area, and we hope to learn from their experience!
Friends of Stampede is on the Web !! (http://stampedefriends.wordpress.com/). For much more information on this group and the effort to establish the Stampede State Recreation Area, click on the link above.
You could be part of a Climate Change Research Project
Find out more: Tuesday, Feb 22, 6 -7 PM Tri-Valley School Cafeteria
A Climate Change Research Project is currently being developed through a partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It will specifically look at the potential health effects of climate change. Participating in this research will mean filling out a survey once a month, marking any changes you see related to climate change.
Keith Walters is a local contact person for this study in Healy and will participate in the study. As Walters stated in a recent email, “The research team would first like to ask your opinion regarding what you have seen in our area that might fall under the category of climate change. We know our area of Alaska better than anyone and the researchers would like to hear our thoughts before they proceed. In order to do that a meeting has been organized in Healy on Tuesday, February 22nd from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the cafeteria at the Tri-valley school. Please come to this meeting and get some details on the study. If you know of others that may be interested please pass this message on as an invitation to attend the meeting! Snacks will be provided!”
Talk of Alaska – DNR Engagement
February 18, 2011
If you missed the Talk of Alaska conversation with Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan, it is worth listening to. Several questions concerned resource development issue of concern to DCC, including questions posed by DCC board members Jared Zimmerman and Nancy Bale related to natural gas development. Other questions concerned Wishbone Hill coal and Anchor Point gas development.
You can listen to the archived program at:
http://aprn.org/2011/02/15/talk-of-alaska-dnr-engagement/
Stampede State Recreation Area Gathers Momentum
January 24, 2011
Proposed Stampede State Recreation Area 2011
Two bills to create a Stampede State Recreation Area (SSRA) were introduced during the first week of the 27th Legislature which began on January 18th in Juneau. Backed by two Denali Borough resolutions of support, Senator Joe Thomas and Representative David Guttenberg introduced Senate Bill 60 (SB 60) and House Bill 113 (HB 113). The bills have been referred to standing committees within the House and Senate. Hearings could be scheduled at any time and will take place first in the Resource Committees. Read more
DCC letter to DNR Commissioner outlines our concerns on gas development, other issues
December 30, 2010
Recently, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Dan Sullivan, invited members of the public to communicate with him regarding natural resource issues in Alaska. We at DCC were pleased with the willingness of the new Commissioner to gather input from the public, and we took the opportunity to send him a letter detailing a few of our concerns. Click the link below to view the letter:
DNR Recommendations_Denali Citizens Council_Dec 28, 2010.
If you have comments for the new Commissioner, you may send them too. Public comments on resource development issues can be sent to Gov. Sean Parnell’s transition team website at http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/transition2010.html, or to DNR’s Public Information Center at dnr.pic@alaska.gov. In the subject line please write “DNR Recommendations.”
DCC establishes Gas Legal Fund
December 17, 2010
One month ago, we announced that the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Tom Irwin, had rejected our significant and practical suggestions to improve the Healy Gas Exploration Final Best Interest Finding by reducing the size of the license area and strengthening key mitigations.
The DCC Board met on November 5th and voted overwhelmingly in favor of appealing the Commissioner’s decision before the Alaska Superior Court. We filed the appeal on December 8, 2010. We have posted the appeal and other information detailing the history of this process, which began in 2005, on our website at http://www.denalicitizens.org/healy-basin-gas-exploration-license
Bringing an appeal at this point will focus attention on the details of the Best Interest Finding. It will present our case that DNR did not provide adequate public process or adequate consideration of conflicts between gas exploration/development and other public uses and values over the 208,000 acres in the license area. We are very happy to be represented by Anchorage Attorney Peter Van Tuyn, who is experienced in state resource law. The appeal process may take a few months and will be costly. For that reason, we are approaching our members and friends for year-end donations to the Gas Legal Fund. For details on how to contribute to the Fund, read on…
Your donation to the DCC Gas Legal Fund is vital to our effort
DCC has established the Gas Legal Fund to pay legal expenses related to gas exploration and development authorized by the state under the Healy Basin Gas Exploration Best Interest Finding. Initially the Fund will be used to appeal the state’s decision in Alaska Superior Court, however in the future, funds may be used for other legal expenses.
For a detailed description of the Fund click DCC Gas Legal Fund .
An anonymous donor has come forward to offer up to $10,000 to match donations to the DCC Gas Legal Fund. The donor has pledged to match dollar-for-dollar donations of $500 or more up to the maximum of $10,000.
Your donation is very much needed to enable DCC to effectively address gas development in the Denali area. While smaller donations do not count towards the matching grant, they are very important nonetheless for reaching our ultimate fundraising goal, and as a sign of your support for this effort. Please consider giving before the end of 2010. You may donate online using our website. Specify that the gift is for the Gas Legal Fund.
Click DCC Gas Legal Fund to read details about the Fund.
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. If you haven’t yet done so, we urge you to sign our petition showing your support, at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/healygasexploration