View RDC's Comment Letter

Comment deadline is 5:00 p.m. December 21, 2012

Overview:
The State of Alaska Division of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on a Preliminary Best Interest Finding for a coal lease sale near Canyon Creek. The 13,175 acre lease sale area is in the foothills of the Alaska Range, approximately 18 miles southwest of Skwentna, within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. DNR reports that based on drilling in the 1970s the lease areas holds approximately 258 million tons of low sulfur coal.

The area is under consideration for lease sales for exploration for coal resources. The lease area does not have any known trails or lakes large enough for floatplanes, and no nearby neighbors. Only two small portions of the area have anadromous streams, and the main river in the area, Contact Creek, is not navigable.

The coal lease area could eventually provide 100-200 well-paying jobs if a project is put forward, as well as be a high tax paying entity in the Mat-Su Borough. The State of Alaska would also benefit through taxes and royalties.

Action Requested:
RDC encourages its members to submit written comments in support of the Canyon Creek Coal Lease Sale for exploration before the December 21st deadline.

Submit comments to:
Mr. Bill Cole
Department of Natural Resources
550 West 7th St. Suite 900B
Anchorage, AK 99501

Email: william.cole@alaska.gov

For more information on the Canyon Creek Preliminary Decision: http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/CanyonCreekPBIF.pdf

Points to consider in your comments:

• Exploration of the Canyon Creek district could produce 258 million tons of low sulfur coal.
• It is estimated 100-200 well paying jobs could result if the coal is brought to production.
• The State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources enforces stringent regulations overseeing mining activities statewide that effectively protect the environment, wildlife, and human health.
• The Canyon Creek district is an area that should be further explored to determine its potential. New mining operations in the area, should they come to fruition, can be of great economic benefit to the Mat-Su Borough and Alaska.

Comment deadline is 5:00 p.m. December 21, 2012