February 3, 2009
Patty McGrath
Red Dog Mine SEIS Project Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, OW-135
Seattle, WA 98101
Re: Red Dog Mine SEIS
Dear Ms. McGrath:
The Resource Development Council for Alaska (RDC) writes to express support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) preferred alternative, alternative B, of the Red Dog Mine Draft SEIS.
RDC is a statewide, non-profit, membership-funded organization founded in 1975. The RDC membership is comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s oil and gas, mining, timber, tourism, and fisheries industries, as well as Alaska Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to link these diverse interests together to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.
Alternative B will allow for the continuation of the mine operated by Teck Alaska, and through a partnership with NANA Regional Corporation. The mine, which is the largest employer in the region, with the majority of employees being NANA shareholders, will continue to provide economic benefits to the region for the next two decades. Red Dog employs hundreds of Alaskans, paying millions of dollars in wages, state and federal taxes, and royalties to NANA Regional Corporation. Through the shared wealth provision of ANCSA, the mine has not only been beneficial to NANA, but also to the other Regional Native Corporations in Alaska.
Alternative B will allow the operations to continue to decrease naturally occurring metal levels in Red Dog Creek, resulting in a productive and healthy environment for fish. Further, Teck Alaska has committed to developing a plan to determine the viability of a pipeline to transport processed wastewater directly to the ocean.
Concerns addressed in the SEIS regarding subsistence resources are and will be addressed through the Red Dog Subsistence Committee on an ongoing basis. Protecting subsistence resources is a priority to NANA, Teck Alaska and to all Alaskans.
RDC is confident extending the life of the mine will continue to provide positive economic impacts, with long-term opportunities for rural Alaskans to develop skills and to enable them to not only continue living in rural Alaska, but to prosper.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.
