May-June DCC News highlights Annual Meeting, Vehicle Management, Wolf Census, Redistricting, Trash pickup on Stampede Road
July 1, 2011
Our May-June 2011 Newsletter, now at press, provides an eclectic mix of articles.
A cover article on our recent Annual Meeting provides pictures and a recap of this popular event.
“A New Vehicle Management Plan for Denali – will it be better?” by Nancy Bale, provides some history behind the move to change how buses and other vehicles are allocated in Denali Park. The EIS for this plan is expected any day.
“Board of Game considers allowing motorized Hunting in the Yanert,” by Anne Beaulaurier, reviews the recent proposal before the Alaska Board of Game to add a late season motorized hunt and details the local opposition.
“Gas Bullet Line Skirting Denali NP would be largest project on Continent,” by Cass Ray, discusses this mammoth effort that remains at the planning stages, for now.
Other interesting articles appear, on the massive changes to the Denali area’s voting district, the Parks Highway interpretive plan, the Stampede Road Cleanup, and more.
For an online version of the newsletter, click the link below.
May-June 2011 DCC News
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
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.
Jan-Feb 2011 DCC News
February 28, 2011
This edition of DCC News features DCC Annual Board Retreat, meeting with DNR Commissioner Dan Sullivan, Susitna Dam project, and energy related articles.
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.
Denali Subsistence Resource Commission Meets Feb. 26 – CANCELED
February 22, 2011
UPDATE: THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR LACK OF QUORUM.
The Denali Subsistence Resource Commission meeting is taking place on Saturday, February 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Cantwell Community Center. The public is invited to attend. Agenda items for the meeting include updates on: management issues with the state of Alaska, the Horns, Antlers, Plants, and Bones Environmental Assessment, current and upcoming research projects, and wildlife regulatory proposals. Public testimony opportunities will be provided.
Contact Amy Craver at ext. 6544 or amy_craver@nps.gov for more information.
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!”
Denali Compendium Open for Comments until February 15th
January 30, 2011
A comment period is open for park-specific Compendiums throughout Alaska. Permits will no longer be required for groups of less than 25 people that wish to assemble or distribute material related to First Amendment purposes. Previously, groups were directed to specific locations, and were required to get a permit from the Park Superintendent. Larger groups will still need to do so. Changes to the compendium reflect recent legal changes. Read more
Oct-Nov 2010 DCC News
November 29, 2010
This issue of DCC News features articles on the Final Healy Gas Finding, EPA review of Healy Clean Coal Plant, Mountaineering Special Use Fees at Denali, and park road projects. A special insert is included on the Healy Gas Development timeline.
Healy Gas Development Timeline
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.
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.