May 28, 2010
Mr. Russell Kirkham
State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land and Water
550 W 7th Ave Suite
Anchorage, AK 99501
Dear Mr. Kirkham:
The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) writes to express its support for the two-year extension to Usibelli Coal Mine’s exploration permit for the Wishbone Hill area.
RDC is a statewide business association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s oil and gas, mining, forest products, tourism and fisheries industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native Corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.
Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. has applied for a two-year extension to the existing exploration permit for the Wishbone Hill Project northeast of Palmer. The company’s application states that, if approved, exploration activities would include drilling up to twenty holes to study area geology, most of which will be sealed upon completion except for a few possible well monitoring locations.
This permit, and its subsequent exploration activities, have been in place since 1986. Should Usibelli’s permit be extended and the mine come to fruition, it is estimated that up to 125 full-time, high-wage jobs would be created. The mine would be a vital economic project for the Matanuska-Susitna valley region.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.
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