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The permit renewal application that Usibelli submitted contains out-of-date and inaccurate information, similar to their air quality permit application that the Department of Environmental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.
Join Mat-Su residents, property owners, local businesses and Mat-Valley Coalition partner groups to protect quality of life in the Mat-Su from the harmful effects of coal development.
The Wishbone Hill Public Hearing is scheduled for November 15th at 6pm at the Sutton Elementary School.
This is the last chance to voice your concerns about the proposed Wishbone Hill Strip Mine! Please join us to send a strong message to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
What: Wishbone Hill Mine Public Hearing – Last Chance to Speak Up!
When: Tuesday, November 15th at 6pm
Where: Sutton Elementary School (turn left on Chickaloon Rd. at Mile 62 Glenn HWY.)
How You Can Help:
1. Mark November 15th on your calendar and plan to attend the Wishbone Hill Public Hearing!
2. Get at least 3 of your neighbors, friends, or family to attend with you.
3. Volunteer with the Mat-Valley Coalition to phone bank. Contact the Mat Valley Coalition partners via email at outreach@foms.net
4. If you haven’t submitted comments on the mining permit for Wishbone, please click here. You can always submit additional comments!
What The Mat Valley Coalition Has For You:
T-shirts and signs to make sure our message is loud and clear: Mat-Su Residents and our quality of life can’t afford the Wishbone Hill Coal Strip mine!
Get ready to make some noise! This is our chance to show Usibelli and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that the opposition to this project is loud and strong and we will stand up to protect our way of life.
We hope to see you there and thank you for your support!
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!!
Oct. 12 REAP Forum: How far can energy efficiency take us6-8pm, Anchorage Museum, 625 C Street
Live Podcast sign up at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/213232440
Nationwide, buildings use more than 40% of ALL the energy we consume, almost as much as our transportation and industry sectors put together. Reducing how much energy our homes and businesses use can pay huge dividends. Come to REAP’s FREE Forum this Wednesday from 6-8pm at the Anchorage Museum to learn more about what you can do, and hear what the state is doing to encourage energy efficiency, and how a Mat-Su School and business have used energy efficient design to reduce their energy bills. Presenters include Sean Skaling and Katie Conway from Alaska Energy Authority, Jason Collins of Wolf Architecture, and Jason Gamache from the design firm of McCool Carlson Green.
More info at www.REalaska.org or 929.7770.
Protecting Property, Culture, Health and of the Future of the Mat-Su Valley-Tuesday, October 11 at 6pm at the Palmer Train Depot
Please join Friends of Mat-Su and other members of the Mat Valley Coalition for this free fun-filled event to learn about proposed coal mines in the Valley and how you can make a difference.
The event will feature a shortened version of the award-winning documentary Coal Country by Mari-Lynn Evans and presentations from Mat Valley Coalition members. Food and refreshments will be served.
Please join us on Tuesday, October 11th from 6pm to 9pm at the Palmer Train Depot.
See you there,
Friends of Mat-Su
Come join Alaska Center for the Environment and other local grassroots from the Mat- Valley Coalition for a showing of the Last Mountain at Bear Tooth, October 10 at 8:00 pm! This movie highlights the issues surrounding mountain top removal mining in Appalachia and the fight against big coal. A brief introduction to Alaska’s coal issues will precede the film, and audience members will have an opportunity to both learn more about Alaska coal and to take action on the Wishbone Coal Strip Mine before and after the film.
Click here to visit the film website.
Click here to see for information and to purchase tickets.
The Alaska Community Foundation & Alaska Pacific University are sponsoring a 2-day workshop in Anchorage focused on community building.
Community building is a field of practices directed toward the creation or enhancement of community among individuals within a regional area (such as a neighborhood) or with a common interest. Community building includes a wide variety of practices that can be utilized for community building such as potlucks and small book clubs, to larger–scale efforts such as mass festivals and development projects that involve local participants.
Activists engaged in community building efforts in industrialized nations see the apparent loss of community in these societies as a key cause of social disintegration and the emergence of many harmful behaviors. They may see building community as a means to increase social justice, individual well being and reduce negative impacts of otherwise disconnected individuals.
The workshop will feature practical skills for those who envision possibility in and provide the skills necessary to mobilize citizens to contribute to an alternative future for their communities.
Click here for the workshop flyer and for more information.
Associate Professor Joe Wheeler from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is coming to the valley to speak about LUMENHAUS, an energy-conscious house project that won the 2010 International Solar Decathlon Competition in Madrid, Spain in June of 2010. LUMENHAUS is a zero-energy home that is completely powered by the sun.
Alaska Center For Appropriate Technology will be hosting a two-day workshop with Mr. Wheeler to highlight the LUMENHAUS project and explore the principles of integrating architecture and technology into construction design.
Click here for the workshop flyer.
Dates: October 7& 8th
Location: Agate Inn, 4725 Begich Circle, Wasilla, AK
For more information or to reserve a seat for the workshop call or email:
(907) 373-2290
admin@acat.org
Comments Due For Proposed Regulations on Hatcher Pass
Nov 23
Posted by foms in Public Comments, Public Notices, Uncategorized | Comments off
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE REGARDING PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The Department of Natural Resources also proposes to adopt new regulations in Title 11, of the Alaska Administrative Code, specifically 11 AAC 96.014(b)(26) dealing with Special Use Land, Kasilof River Special Use Area.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ENDS on Friday, December 2, 2011.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the Division of Mining, Land and Water, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1070, Anchorage, AK 99501-3579 or by e-mail to dnrmlw@alaska.gov or by fax to 907-269-8904.
For Hatcher specific proposed regulation changes click here.
For more information or a copy of the proposed regulation changes, go to http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/hottopics, or write to the Director’s Office, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Department of Natural Resources, Attention Joseph Joyner, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1070, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3579; or call 907-269-8511.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Natural Resources will either adopt these or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action on them. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. YOU SHOULD COMMENT DURING THE TIME ALLOWED IF YOUR INTERESTS COULD BE AFFECTED.