Archive for category News
The Exciting Wild and Scenic Film Festival is Less Than a Month Away. Get Your Tickets Today!
If you are looking for a fun filled event to help transition from the darkness of winter into spring and to help motivate planning for your summer trips, you will not want to miss the exciting Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Palmer on April 26th. Join Friends of Mat-Su, local businesses and a variety of non-profit partners for this fun and exciting family friendly community event.
About the Wild and Scenic Film Festival
The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival is one of the largest traveling environmental film festivals in North America. It is renown for leaving attendees feeling INSPIRED and MOTIVATED. The Palmer event will do no less. We’ve included many award winning films that explore how community leaders and average citizens are working together to develop innovative solutions to current challenges facing their communities. We guarantee those who attend will LEARN about new ideas from inspiring environmental and adventure based films, EXPERIENCE the adrenaline of trekking across the globe or skiing in the backcountry, and CELEBRATE the many splendors of the natural and wild world.
Event Details
In addition to the stellar selection of films the event will include:
- Bluegrass and old timey music from High Lonesome Sound
- Delicious local foods
- Cash bar
- Featured local artists
- Wild bird exhibit
- Educational Forum
- Great Door prizes
Space is limited so we encourage you to book your tickets today!
WHEN: Thursday, April 26th, 6pm-10pm. Reception begins at 6pm and Films begin at 7pm.
WHERE: Historic Train Depot in Downtown Palmer
COST: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. KIDS UNDER 10 ARE FREE!
For more information, to book advance tickets, or to view some of the film trailers please visit the festival website at http://www.valleyfilmfestival.com/ or contact festival Director, Jeremiah Millen via email at: director@foms.net or by phone at (907) 746-0130.
ANCHORAGE: APRIL 19-20 • DENA’INA CENTER
Join business, civic and government leaders from across Alaska and leading industry experts from around the nation for the 4th annual Business of Clean Energy in Alaska Conference. Clean energy is a $250 billion-a-year business worldwide, and Alaska has the potential to be a world leader in this growing field. Keynote Speakers: Jon Wellinghoff, Chair, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Retired Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn President, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). Help create a clean energy future for Alaska! Register by March 12 and save at www.BCEAconference.com or 929.7770.
Coal Impacts on Human Health- Free Teleconference- Wednesday, February 15th 9-10 AM (Alaska Time)
Jan 31
Please join Alaska Community Action on Toxics for a discussion with Alan H. Lockwood, MD on the growing body of medical evidence linking coal development to human health risks.
At every stage – from mining,transportation, storage, combustion, and disposal of post-combustion wastes – coal development threatens human and environmental health. Pollutants from coal damage all major organ systems in the human body and contribute to four of the five leading causes of death in the United States.
Dr. Lockwood, Professor of Neurology at the University of Buffalo, is a member of Physicians for Social Responsiblity and is principal author of the PSR medical report “Coal’s Assault on Human Health” which takes a new look at the devastating impacts of coal on the human body. Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. This report looks at the cumulative harm inflicted by those pollutants on three major body organ systems: the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and the nervous system.
To join this free call and receive the dial-up instructions, please RSVP to Alaska Community Action on Toxics at heather@akaction.org or (907) 222-7714.
VCRS Earns Prestigious Award – First LEED Gold industrial building in Alaska in Mat-Su
Special congratulations to our friends at Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) in Palmer for their recent award of the first LEED Gold Certified Industrial building in Alaska. The one year-old community-recycling center is the first industrial facility in Alaska to be LEED certified at the Gold level. LEED Is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a third-party certification program and a nationally accepted benchmark.
Recently, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss was on site to accept a glass plaque for the achievement from VCRS staff and Friends of Mat-Su board member Mark Masteller who is the former chair of the MSB planning Commission and who currently serves as the Alaska Director for the Cascadia Green Building Council. We would like to extend our warm congratulations to the staff at VCRS and the Mat-Su borough for their leadership and innovative approach to designing a building that is cutting edge for Alaska.
To read the full press release on the award from the Mat-Su borough click here
There are several important topics up for consideration at the next regular Mat-Su Borough (MSB) Assembly Meeting. Some of these include, revisions to the existing ethics code, changes to public participation and funding decisions that will guide the borough’s upcoming budget process. For a full version of the Assembly packet click here to review pending legislation and
other agenda items up for consideration at the January 17th meeting. The link provided includes the full Assembly packet, or you can view the packet by individual sections in the E-Packet sections listed.
For additional information, please contact the Office of the Borough Clerk at:
745-9683, (MSB Clerk’s main phone)
Ethics Issue Defined
As you will recall ,a while back the Mat-Su Borough Mayor was working hard to eliminate the existing ethics board and the borough ethics code all together. Due to fierce pushback from the community the Assembly decided it would be more appropriate for the ethics board to make suggested edits to the Assembly on the existing code. Fast forward to today.
On Jan. 17, the Mat-Su Borough Board of Ethics will present its recommended ethics code revisions to Mat-Su Borough Assembly. It appears that the suggested changes that will be presented are politically motivated and will further weaken the existing code it’s effectiveness. We feel that the Mat-Su residents deserve an ethics code that is up to date and fully represents the best interests of the public. Taxpayer dollars must adequately serve these interests, as should the service of our elected public officials. Assembly representatives have an obligation to uphold all federal and state laws and borough code, and must take their oath of office seriously. As part of this, the public deserves to the right to what the responsibilities are of our local government and who benefits from the decisions made by our elected officials.
The correct path forward is to allow borough residents the ability to work with the existing Ethics board to produce an ethics code that is up to date, maintains accountability and adequately represents the responsibilities our elected officials have to borough residents.
Bottom line: The assembly should send the code back to the ethics board for further work. It should ultimately adopt a borough code that keeps the ethics board independent, provides emphasis on serving the borough’s best interests, and adequately supplies the education and enforcement to make it happen.
Through a collaborative and transparent public process, we can address the issues that currently divide us and work together to find positive solutions. By using this approach, we can create a strong ethics code that reflects the needs of borough residents for the 21stcentury.
Please consider attending the regular MSB assembly meeting on Tuesday night January 17th at the borough assembly chambers to voice your concerns and urge the assembly to provide a thorough public process to revise the existing ethics code.
If you are not able to attend in person, please consider writing Assembly members to share your thoughts by clicking here.
Please let us know if you need help formulating your comments.
Days like today remind us of the 80s when big hair bands like Judus Priest released smash hits on an album called “Breaking The Law.” Today in Palmer, local citizens fighting the controversial Wishbone Hill coal project have sent a letter to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources alleging that Usibelli Coal Company has been operating illegally and without a valid permit and should be ordered to halt project development.
To view a copy of the letter to DNR click here
Help us send a message to Usibelli that coal mining in the Mat Su Valley will harm residents, lower property values, and destroy our way of life.
The Wishbone Hill coal strip mine in the Matanuska Valley has become increasingly controversial as Usibelli Coal Company takes steps to fully develop the mine in the middle of a residential community. On Tuesday, hundreds of citizens attended a public hearing hosted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about Usibelli’s mining plan and permit renewal application to raise concerns about property values, coal dust issues, recreational access concerns and community impacts.
“Over the past year we have heard from thousands of Mat-Su residents who oppose the development of the Wishbone Hill strip coal mine and the negative impacts it will have on property values, air and water quality, wildlife, recreational access, and public safety. A residential neighborhood is simply no place for a coal mine and there are 128 residences within one mile of this project. The Governor and state agencies should take action and provide the leadership needed to protect our communities,” said Jeremiah Millen , Executive Director of Friends of Mat-Su, a local planning organization representing residents across the Mat-Su Borough.
The permit renewal application that Usibelli submitted contains out-of-date and inaccurate information, similar to their air quality permit application that the Department of Environmental
Conservation has asked them to resubmit twice. “As community members, we have a responsibility to speak up to protect our neighborhoods and quality of life,” said Kirby Spangler, local resident and president of Castle Mountain Coalition. “In this case, we’re looking at a mine plan that was designed in the late 1980’s. It does nothing to account for the changes in the community or protect all that we value about living here. ”
Members of the public raised major concerns about how Usibelli would keep the community safe with blasting at the mine site, increased traffic in residential areas, and air pollution related to coal mining. “If DNR approves this permit, they will approve a Valley-wide air quality problem and a serious health hazard. Health effects linked to breathing coal dust include increased asthma in children, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and cancer,” said Heidi Zimmer, Environmental Health Coordinator at Alaska Community Action on Toxics. “If DNR approves this permit, what will happen to our children? What will happen to our YaNeDahAh School?
If we do NOT have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, healthy salmon and moose to eat, how will we perpetuate our culture and traditional practices? How much longer do we have to endure the “Historical” traumas done to our peoples?” said Penny Westing, secretary on the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council.
The DNR has 60 days following the public meeting to make its decision on whether to approve
Usibelli’s permit renewal request.
Please consider contacting the Mat-Valley coalition to learn how you can be involved.
Mat-Su Ski Club Annual Meeting-Friday October 14, 2011 6:30 PM
It’s Annual Meeting time for the Mat-Su Ski Club!
When: Friday October 14, 2011 6:30 PM
Where: Palmer Train Depot
Guest Speaker: Bill Spencer, HDR and designer of the S. Government Peak Nordic Center.
Club Updates from Board Members.
Board Elections: Interested in being on the Board? They need you!
The also need volunteers for a Committee Chair- sign up at the meeting.
Renew your membership, sign up for Junior Nordic!!
Free Food and drinks!!
Door Prizes!!
Speak up to protect our communities and yourself from toxic herbicide spraying.
Jan 31
Posted by foms in News, Public Comments, Public Notices | Comments off
The Alaska Railroad applied to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) for permission to apply herbicides Aquamaster and Agri-Dex along railroad right of ways in areas of Palmer/Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks stretching along 122 miles of track covering 243 acres.
Please consider testifying at the upcoming local hearings and submit written comments.
Local Hearings:
For Potential Talking Points and to learn more Click Here
Written Comments Due: March 12, 2012 by 4pm.
Important note: You must include the Project Name at the beginning of your comment or your comments will not be considered.
For More Information on the permits and to see maps for the for proposed spraying areas of Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks Click Here.
Please copy and paste the Project Name in the subject of your email and as the first line of your email.
Please submit a separate comment for each of the three projects to:
Rebecca Colvin
555 Cordova Street, Anchorage AK 99501
Phone: 907-269-7802, Fax: 907-269-7600
Email: Rebecca.colvin@alaska.gov
Please send a copy of your comments to heather@akaction.org