View RDC's Comment Letter
Comment Deadline was August 3, 2009
Overview:
Following last month’s Supreme Court ruling validating Coeur Alaska’s efforts to responsibly develop the Kensington Gold Mine Project in Southeast Alaska, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comment to extend the time limit and correct minor discrepancies to the project’s Section 404 Permit. The public interest weighs heavily in favor of granting these minor revisions.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently asked the Corps to study an alternative method to handle mine tailings, potentially delaying the project for at least eight months – most likely much longer. The Governor’s Office and the Alaska congressional delegation were critical of EPA’s latest request, noting the Supreme Court’s final decision validating the permit and the current tailings disposal method. In addition, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently terminated its injunction that had precluded completion of work authorized under the permit until the case was decided. All the work on the project has been completed with the exception of the tailings facility, which was stalled by three years of litigation.
Requested action:
Your comment letter in support of the project and its environmental integrity is critical at this time. Encourage the Corps to immediately implement the Supreme Court decision by terminating the August 25, 2006 partial suspension of the Permit, which was based solely on the 9th Circuit injunction which is now dissolved. In addition, encourage the Corps to allow work to resume immediately at the Lower Slate Lake tailings facility that was delayed three years by the injunction and suspension. Personalized comments are best, highlighting specific personal and corporate interests in the project. Please send comments to:
Email: Richard.G.Jackson@usace.army.mil
Fax (907) 753-5567
Reference Number: POA-1990-592-M6
Points to consider:
- The Corps must immediately implement the Supreme Court’s decision by terminating its August 25, 2006 partial suspension of the Section 404 Permit and allow work to resume now at the Lower Slate Lake tailings facility.
- There is no basis for further delay. No further process beyond the current 15-day public comment period is needed for the proposed minor modifications set forth in the Public Comment Notice.
- The project’s permit has been studied for over a decade, has undergone multiple public comment periods, has been approved by all state and federal agencies, defended by the Corps and EPA in the U.S. Supreme Court and is poised now to finally be completed and provide its immediate benefits to a community long awaiting them.
- The Corps should not delay the project further and it should reject the EPA’s suggestion to reevaluate the permit and study an alternative method to handle the tailings. The Supreme Court validated the current disposal plan as the environmentally-preferred option for the mine. The EPA’s action would surely delay the project well beyond an estimated eight-month review, potentially jeopardizing the project and the hundreds of jobs it would create. Any delay beyond August and another winter without jobs is unacceptable.
- Alaska’s Native leaders, the governor, state legislature, and Alaska’s congressional delegation strongly support the Kensington project and recognize the environmental integrity of the project and its 404 Permit.
- Southeast Alaska is in dire need of the economic infusion the project will bring to the region.
- Kensington is truly a shovel-ready project, validated by the highest court, and one that doesn’t need taxpayer money to boost the economy and improve the standard of living for local residents.
See the letter written to the EPA by Senators Murkowski and Begich which
clearly articulates the need to honor the Supreme Court's decision and issue
the required permits at:
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/mining/kensingtondelegationletter.pdf
A letter from Governor Parnell at:
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/mining/governorparnellkesingtonletter.pdf
A letter from the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska at:
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/mining/centralcouncilkesingtonletter.pdf
A letter from twelve U.S. Senators at:
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/mining/senatorialkensingtoncommentletter.pdf
For additional information:
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/mining/largemine/kensington/index.htm
Comment Deadline was August 3, 2009
View RDC's Comment Letter
