Testimony of Maynard Tapp
June 4, 2012 Anchorage, AK

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My name is Maynard Tapp. I am a partner in a small business I started back in 1985 that primarily serves the oil and gas industry. I have testified numerous times on behalf of the industry to allow development under different plans suggested by the US Fish and Wildlife as well as the BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management). These highly professional organizations provide options to the public for testimony based on years of study.

I believe it is irresponsible for the EPA to solicit testimony in this emotional environment when no permits have been requested and no plan(s) have been submitted. Shouldn’t you find out what they are planning before stirring the emotional pot.

The EPA seems to be practicing “fear” politics using anecdotal evidence describing potential risks rather than determining public policy based on proposed permits or scientific methodology. This is condemning something before there is anything to condemn. Let’s stick to the process, define, study, and evaluate before we approve or disapprove.

Nobody in the Pebble project wants to hurt the environment. It wastes time and money that could be spent developing the state’s resources. They love the salmon and the culture as much as any citizen of Alaska. They believe we can have both.

When our state and national economy are in retreat, is it the EPA’s responsibility to spend its time and taxpayers money on an actual proposed project rather than a mystical imagined “worse-case” scenario.

Thank-you for this opportunity to speak.