February 3, 2014
Mr. Tim Pilon
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Water
Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program
555 Cordova Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
Via email to: tim.pilon@alaska.gov
Re: APDES Permits for the Red Dog Mine and Delong Mountain Transportation System Port Facility
Dear Mr. Pilon:
The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to comment on the proposal to issue Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) Permits for the Teck Alaska Inc. Red Dog Mine Delong Mountain Transportation System Port Facility (DMTS Port Facility).
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.
RDC is writing to support the timely approval of the APDES permits for the DMTS Port Facility. APDES permits place stringent standards to ensure more than adequate protection of water quality and human health. RDC believes the permit modification will continue to meet or exceed State of Alaska standards for protections.
The Red Dog Mine provides hundred of jobs to the Northwest Alaska economy and funds the entire tax base of $13 million to the Northwest Arctic Borough. In 2012, royalties of nearly $124.7 million to NANA Regional Corporation, with as much as $76.4 million dispersed to all other Alaska Native Corporations, were paid by the Red Dog Mine.
This routine permit is required for continued operation, and will keep the project in compliance with regulations. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.
