Archive for category Public Meetings

6th Annual Winter Family Fun Day at Reflections Lake

Feb 2

Posted by foms in Community Events, Public Meetings | Comments off

 

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats is sponsoring the 6th Annual Winter Family Fun Day at Reflections Lake on Saturday, February 4th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Come enjoy winter at scenic and accessible Reflections Lake! Cross-country ski, snowshoe, ice skate or walk the loop around the lake. Stay warm with campfires, hot beverages and tasty treats as you soak in the beauty of the picturesque spot. Learn how to use the equipment properly, as well as avalanche safety and awareness. Join us for this National Winter Trails Day event and the opportunity to try healthy winter sports.

For a copy of the event flyer Click Here
For more information contact Alaskans For Palmer Hay Flats

 

Free Event: Breathe Free-Protecting Our Community From Toxic Coal Dust

May 3

Posted by foms in Mat Valley Coal, News, Public Meetings, Public Notices | Comments off

Come to this free workshop to learn about the impacts of potential coal development in the Mat-Su Valley.

Pollution from the proposed Wishbone Hill coal strip mine offers grave risks to public health in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.  Come to this public forum to learn about the true costs of the proposed coalmine and the impacts it could have on human health.  Local doctors, public health professionals and business owners will be on hand to share their knowledge and experience in dealing with the impacts of coal mining.
 
Come by the Palmer Depot at 5:00pm to get your hair tested for mercury.  Free Snacks and coffee will be provided. Sponsored by: Mat Valley Coalition and Alaska Community Action on Toxics.

 

 

 

Location and time: Monday, May 9th, 6pm – 8pm at the 
Palmer Depot-
610 South Valley Way, Palmer Alaska

For more information contact Heather at:  mvc@mtaonline.net

 

TAKE ACTION: SUBMIT ONLINE COMMENTS WISHBONE HILL AIR PERMIT

May 3

Posted by foms in Mat Valley Coal, News, Public Comments, Public Meetings, Public Notices, Uncategorized | Comments off

Tell DEC to protect our families and property values by denying Usibelli Coal Mine Company’s dangerous air permit application. Take Action Now! Click Here!

Coal Mining Negatively Affects Property Values

Coal Mining Negatively Affects Property Values

 

 

WHAT:

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is considering issuing an air permit to allow the Usibelli Coal Mine company to operate an open pit coal strip mine at Wishbone Hill in the middle of residential communities in the valley.
A copy of the air permit can be found by clicking here.


SUBMISSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS – DUE MAY 11, 2011.

 

To See a coal blast in slow motion on the Usibelli Website click here. The dust and other air pollutants from this project will impact the entire Matanuska Valley.

 

QUICK FACTS on the air permit can be found by clicking here

 

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?

Valley property values and the health of our families are at stake. Common sense says that it is unhealthy to live near coalmines. No one in the valley wants dirty coal dust in the air, constant blasting and over 100 coal trucks each day in their neighborhoods and on the Glenn Highway. Property values and public health will suffer if DEC approves this air permit.
Tell DEC to protect our families, public health and property values by denying this air permit for the Usibelli Coal Company’s Wishbone Hill Coal Project.


Your Voice is Needed Today!- Public Comments Due May 11, 2011

TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS ONLINE CLICK HERE

 

For more information contact Heather at the Mat-Valley Coalition by email at: mvc@mtaonline.net

 

 

 

Public Meeting: Fugitive Dust Workshop in Palmer-April 19th

Apr 18

Posted by foms in Mat Valley Coal, Public Comments, Public Meetings, Public Notices | Comments off

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding a Fugitive Dust Workshop in Palmer at the Train Depot on Tuesday April 29th from 5:30-7:30 PM.  DEC representatives will be on hand to provide information about their plans for regulating fugitive dust in the valley from proposed Mat-Valley coal development.  This is great opportunity to learn about impacts of coal dust and voice your concerns about open pit coal mining in the valley.

Please consider attending to make your voice heard!

 

 

What: DEC Fugitive Dust Workshop

When: Tuesday, April, 19th 5:30-7:30 PM

Where: Palmer Depot, 655 South Valley Way, Palmer AK

 

 

Mat-Su Borough Assembly Meeting- Your Voice is Needed!

Mar 14

Posted by foms in Mat-Su Borough Public Meeting Calender, News, Public Comments, Public Meetings, Public Notices, Uncategorized | Comments off

Biker on Mat RR Trail- Credit Frankie Barker(MSB)

There will be a regular Borough assembly meeting Tuesday, March 15th that will include an important public hearing on trail funding.  Please consider attending to make your voice heard.

The Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation (MSTPF) is non-profit organization that has formed to promote a first class trails and parks system for residents and visitors to the Mat-Su Borough.  The MSTPF, is requesting funding from the Mat-Su Borough (MSB) for Trail Management and Public Engagement projects with the provisions to be matched 2 to 1 by other funding sources and volunteer time.

As part of this request, there will be an ordinance and resolution up for consideration by the Assembly to re-appropriate $100k from MSB funds (government) to the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation.

This is a HUGE opportunity for trails in the MSB and that will address some of the current peace meal approaches to resolving trails issues with a more comprehensive approach.  In addition, it will make more funding available for trails, including actual construction and maintenance.

The intent of the agreement is to contract out much of the future trail work to the private sector, thus reducing government involvement and providing cost efficient solutions.  Some of the contracts would most likely include quality-assurance stipulations.

MSB- March 15th Assembly Meeting Update: In addition to the resolution to re-appropritate funds to the MSTPF there will also be a resolution introduced for trail improvements for Hatcher Pass- Resolution Serial No. 11-033: A RESOLUTION APPROVING GRANTS FOR TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE HATCHER PASS SKI TRAILS, FUND.

It can be found on page 6 of the agenda by clicking here:

Your voice is needed!

MSTPF is seeking public support for the ordinance and resolution.  The Assembly needs to hear from all trail users including: motorized, non-motorized, horse, dog, and human-powered users.

Where:

MSB Assembly Chambers

350 E. Dahlia Ave.
Palmer, AK. 99645

When: Public Hearing starts at 7pm.

Sample talking points:

Trails create jobs and business opportunities

Tourism (independent tourists and visitors as well as guided tours)

  • Construction opportunities
  • Materials and equipment for construction
  • Trails attract quality businesses and employees

Trails create strong communities

  • Volunteers working together
  • Places for fundraisers

Trails can improve health

  • Trails provide many benefits for human health

Trail Enhancement Needs

  • With increased number and diversity of users
  • Many existing trails may need to be upgraded
  • Trails need to accommodate full range of uses as well as skill and fitness of users of all ages, including kids and senior citizens
  • Trails need to be distributed throughout borough
  • Users need ready access

If you are unable to make it please consider contacting your Assembly Member by clicking here

For more information on how you can be involved feel free to contact Jeremiah at the Friends of Mat-Su office: (907) 746-0142

Public Meeting on the Proposed Usibelli Wishbone Hill Coal Mine Project-March 9th

Mar 7

Posted by foms in Mat Valley Coal, Public Meetings, Public Notices | Comments off

Wishbone Hill Coal Map and Communities

Bring your questions for the Project Manager.

Curious about the proposed Wishbone Hill Coal Mine proposal?  Rob Brown, the project manager (former manager at the (Seward Coal Terminal) will give a presentation on the proposed project at the Chickaloon Community Council on March 9th.

Expandable Map of the Wishbone Hill Coal District & Communities

MEETING DETAILS:

WHAT: Presentation by Usibelli Coal Mine

WHERE: Chickaloon Community Center-Milepost 76.2 of the Glen Highway (near King Mountain Lodge)

WHEN: Wedensday March 9th, 7PM

Google Map for directions

Note:  This meeting and all Chickaloon Community Council meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend and get involved.

Save the Date-Friends of Mat-Su Annual Meeting March 4th

Feb 28

Posted by foms in FoMS Annual Meeting, FoMS News, News, Public Meetings, Uncategorized | Comments off

Save the Date-Friends of Mat-Su Annual Meeting March 4th
Celebrating 12 Years of Working Together to Build Healthy and Vibrant Communities


Your are invited to Join Friends of Mat-Su for our Annual Spring Meeting on March 4th, at the Agate Inn in Wasilla.  Please bring along all of your friends and neighbors to celebrate our past accomplishments and help us chart the course for a productive future.


When: Friday, March 4, 6-9PM

What: Friends of Mat-Su -Annual Meeting

Where: Agate Inn 4724 Begich Circle, Wasilla, AK

Meeting Highlights

  • Participate in an interactive panel exploring planning activities throughout the Borough
  • Meet our new Executive Director
  • Meet our current board members
  • Elect new board members
  • Help us focus our  future work
  • Connect with your community

Enjoy delicious Foods, Drinks  and good Friends


Update on The Susitna River Hydro Project

Feb 23

Posted by foms in News, Public Comments, Public Meetings, Public Notices, Uncategorized | Comments off

On November 24, 2010 the Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority/Alaska Energy Authority press release announced their recommendation that the Low Watana site on the Susitna River should be the primary hydroelectric project for the Railbelt in order to fulfill the Alaska legislative mandate of  50% renewable energy sources by 2025 and in order to meet future energy needs.  Accompanying the press release was a Prelimninary Decision Document that recommends filing a Preliminary Permit with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by 12/31/11 in order to start the federal licensing process.  (Complete information can be found here- Railbelt Large Hydro)  The 2010 Alaska Legislature appropriated $10 million for AEA to study possible railbelt hydro projects.

The proposed Susitna Dam project, called the Low Watana Non-Expandable, would be a 700 foot high dam with a 600MW powerhouse and located at Mile 184 of the Susitna River, 15 miles upstream of Devil’s Canyon and fifty miles from Talkeetna.

The current proposed cost is $4.5 billion; and without state financing participation, the project wouldn’t happen.  What is currently being considered is the Bradley Lake Hydro Model which is that the State would pay for the licensing and most of the project cost, and the railbelt utilities would purchase all the power and pay the bond financing, operations and maintenance costs.

Access would be via the Denali Highway, 21 miles of it would have to be upgraded to construction grade road year round, a 40 mile new road then to the site, and a possible new Alaska Railroad line from Gold Creek to the site.  Upgrades to the existing North/South intertie transmission line would be necessary which may include constructing a parallel new transmission line (according to the Railbelt Regional Integrated Resource Plan, February, 2010).

Fisheries certainly would be detrimentally impacted by changes in water quality, water temperature, suspended sedimentation, reservoir draw down fluctuations, flow regimes, habitat, and impoundment zone inundation.

River flow projections would be peak summer flows reduced, high late summer flows, and winter flows would be increased to generate more power.  Temperatures would be cooler in the spring and early summer and warmer in the fall and winter.

Regarding earthquake risk, the Castle Mountain Fault is located 65 miles away, the Denali Fault is located 45 miles away, and the inter-plate subduction zone is located 40 miles away.

Note:  There will be several public meetings and opportunities to comment on the project for those who are interested. The meetings are as follows:

Upcoming Public Meeting Schedule:

Thu. February 24, 2011 Fairbanks

5:00 p.m. Open House, 6:00 p.m. Presentation
Princess Riverside Lodge, 4477 Pikes Landing Road

Mon. February 28, 2011  Talkeetna

5:00 p.m. Open House, 5:30 p.m. Presentation

Talkeetna Elementary School Gym, 13930 East Timberwolf Loop

Tue. March 1, 2011  Palmer

5:00 p.m. Open House, 6:00 p.m. Presentation

Palmer Community Center (Depot), 610 South Valley Way

Wed. March 2, 2011  Anchorage

5:00 p.m. Open House, 6:00 p.m. Presentation

Dena’ina Center, Tyonek Room 2nd Floor, 600 West 7th Avenue

Tue. March 15, 2011  Kenai

5:30 p.m. Open House, 6:00 p.m. Presentation

Challenger Learning Center, 9711 Kenai Spur Highway

Information: To Read the Alaska Energy Report on Large Scale Hydro click here

To contact or communicate with AEA:

Email: largehydro@aidea.org

Susitna Project Manager is Bryan Carey at 771-3065, 888-300-8543

813 W. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage AK 99503-2495

Note: For a list of  potential questions visit the Alaska Center for the Environment Climate and Energy Page

Jonesville Coal Mine Permit

Dec 21

Posted by foms in Public Comments, Public Meetings, Public Notices | Comments off

mining_shovels_usibelli_website

JONESVILLE COAL MINE PERMIT - SUTTON

There will be a meeting with the DNR Mining permit staff and Black Range Alaska Minerals in late January.  We will post more information when we get it.

The comment period is closed and the permit is under review. For more information contact Russell Kirkham at the email/phone # below.

The mine is located approximately 11 miles northeast of Palmer. The mining area is approximately 2 miles northwest of Sutton near the southeast portion of Wishbone Hill. This request is to renew the existing permit for an additional five-year term. There are no changes or modifications to the operation and reclamation plans that have been proposed which would significantly alter the previously approved permit. For more information or to submit comments, contact Russell Kirkham by fax at (907) 269-8930 or email Russell.kirkham@alaska.gov.

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