RDC Member Comment Letter:
Donlin Gold Project EIS Scoping

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March 29, 2013

The Donlin Gold Project represents the very best outcome sought by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. The lands involved had the surface estate selected by The Kuskokwim Corporation and the subsurface estate selected by Calista Corporation. The wisdom of Congress in resolving the Alaska native land claims via this structure is clearly shown by the intelligent management of these resources by the native corporations.

Even during the exploration phase, the Donlin Gold project provided important meaningful, high-paying jobs to hundreds of local residents. Entire villages were rejuvenated by the cash flow through the local economy. Lives were changed for the better. There was hope! One individual told me that Donlin Gold provided him with the first reason he had as an adult to stay drug and alcohol free. He was proud to be working there. The Donlin Gold project will provide these benefits and incentives for another generation who will have few other positive alternatives.

The development of the Donlin Gold project will result in lower cost energy for local villages, reasons for people to remain in the villages and maintain their local school system, and to encourage their children to aspire to a good education so that they can get a good job at the mine.

I would strongly encourage those involved in the EIS to consider the positive impact that the economic ripple effect has on the people of the region. People are our most important resource and we need to make decisions wherein the future of our people are given the importance deserved.

Don

Donald L Stevens Ph. D., CPG
Stevens Exploration Management Corp.
1048 W Int'l Airport Rd., #103
Anchorage, AK 99518