View RDC's Comment Letter

View Testimony - October 15, 2014

Comment deadline was 5:00 p.m. January 28, 2015

Overview:
The State of Alaska Pipeline Coordinator’s Office is considering Donlin Gold’s right-of-way lease request for the gas pipeline from Cook Inlet to the proposed Donlin Gold project site, north of Crooked Creek. The pipeline is proposed to be 14-inches in diameter and 315-miles long, beginning at the Beluga gas field 30 miles west of Anchorage and ending at the proposed Donlin Gold mine site.

The gas pipeline will provide a stable source of energy for the Donlin project, and has the potential to offer the same to local communities if they choose to tie into the gas pipeline at a later date. Additionally, the construction of the pipeline would provide high-paying jobs to Alaskans and much-needed diversification to the Alaska economy.

Donlin proposed the gas pipeline as an alternative after residents along the Kuskokwim expressed concerns about barge traffic delivering diesel to the project. The pipeline will reduce expected barge traffic on the river.

Additionally, the gas pipeline infrastructure may offer development opportunities for properties along the pipeline corridor, including Calista and Cook Inlet Region, Inc. lands.

Donlin has committed to burying the pipeline to reduce visual impact and the environmental footprint, as well as reclaiming temporary infrastructure, such as roads and landing strips.

The Donlin Gold project could produce gold for 27.5 years, while providing well-paying jobs. The region experiences some of the highest unemployment rates and has few other economic opportunities. Through the exploration stages, Donlin has shown a strong commitment to local hire as well as showing support to communities and cultures in the region. The Donlin Gold project is a rare opportunity to improve the local economy where few other opportunities exist.

Pipeline application documents can be found at: http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pco

Additional project information can be found at: http://www.DonlinGoldEIS.com

Action requested:
RDC encourages its members to submit written comments urging the State Pipeline Coordinator’s office to approve the right-of-way application before the January 28th deadline.

Submit comments:

Mail:
State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources
State Pipeline Coordinator’s Office
411 West 4th Avenue, Suite 2
Anchorage, AK 99501

Email: spco.records@alaska.gov

Fax: 907-269-6880

Points to consider for your comments:

• The pipeline will bring natural gas closer to rural Alaska, and potentially offer lower cost energy options to the region and job opportunities leading to reduced out-migration. The gas pipeline is also a better energy source than other options, and offers a better delivery method.
• Donlin proposed the gas pipeline as an alternative after residents along the Kuskokwim expressed concerns about barge traffic delivering diesel to the project. The pipeline will reduce expected barge traffic on the river.
• The energy infrastructure (gas pipeline) to support this project may open the door for lower cost energy solutions in the region, representing an important piece of primary infrastructure for western Alaska and the state.
• The pipeline is proposed to be buried to reduce visual impact.
• The footprint of the proposed pipeline is narrow as to reduce environmental impact.
• Permanent infrastructure of the pipeline will be minimal, and winter construction will reduce impacts to other uses, including sport and subsistence hunting. Temporary infrastructure from construction will be reclaimed.
• The proposed pipeline design includes designs to mitigate the Denali Fault crossing, and manual check valves about every 20 miles to protect against leaks.
• Local users, including hunters, have been kept informed of the proposed project and pipeline and Donlin has avoided working on baseline studies through the hunting season to mitigate any disturbance from helicopter traffic.
• The Iditarod Trail Committee, Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the Iron Dog Race, and other users have been kept informed of the proposed project and pipeline. The route has been optimized to reduce overlap with the historic Iditarod Trail, including rerouting through the Jones River valley – which ultimately will reduce 50 miles of overlap with the tail.
• The Donlin Gold project could produce gold for 27.5 years, while providing well paying jobs in a region where few other opportunities exist. Pipeline construction would provide 500 of the approximate 3,000 project jobs.
• New mining operations in the area, should they come to fruition, can be of great economic benefit to Alaska and local communities, as well as Alaska Native corporations and shareholders.
• The Donlin project will likely provide responsible economic prospects for this region and for Alaska, while protecting the subsistence resources.
• The Donlin project will benefit Alaska Native corporations statewide. Royalties paid to the Kuskokwim Corporation and Calista Corporation will in part be redistributed to other regional and village corporations.

Comment deadline was 5:00 p.m. January 28, 2015