February 25, 2013
Jennifer Keese
Coal Program Geologist
Division of Mining, Land, and Water
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 920
Anchorage, AK 99501
Re: Jumbo Dome Mine Road Corridor Surface Coal Mining Permit #S-0605
Dear Ms. Keese:
The Resource Development Council for Alaska (RDC) is writing to support renewal of the surface coal mining permit for the Jumbo Dome Road corridor, permit #S-0605.
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.
The requested permit term is a renewal for five years, and it is expected the Jumbo Mine Road corridor construction will be completed early in this second permit term. The major activities during the term covered by this permit application will include construction of roads, drainage control and incidental coal removal.
Jumbo Dome is located in the Healy Coal field on State land approximately nine miles north of two of Usibelli’s existing mines, Two Bull Ridge and Poker Flats. The Jumbo Dome Mine will sustain Usibelli’s current workforce of 130 year-round employees.
RDC encourages the State to renew the permit and issue it for a five-year term, as the existing approved permits meet current requirements. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.
