Save communities from mountaintop mining Tell Don Young to knock it off: I urge you to oppose any bills that attack EPA's ability to protect the public under the Clean Water Act. Rep. Don Young's H.R. 517 would entirely repeal the EPA's veto authority under the Clean Water Act.
Donnie's press release
Salmon & Coal mining don't mix!
Quick link to send a letter! Read more at Chuitna Citizen's Coalition or Cook Inletkeeper.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Chickaloon Village Press Release
NAY’DINI’AA NA’
(CHICKALOON VILLAGE)
TRADITIONAL COUNCIL
Chickaloon Village presents its case against Coal Mining to United Nations Expert on the Human Right to Water
For Immediate Release
February 22, 2011: Chickaloon Native Village, a federally-recognized Athabascan Indian Tribal government in Alaska, filed a communication to the United Nations Independent Expert on the human right to water and sanitation in conjunction with her first official visit to the United States, which began today.
Chickaloon Village’s submission asserts that the new open-pit coal strip mine in its traditional territory proposed by the Usibelli Corporation would contaminate local drinking water sources as well as rivers, streams and groundwater that support salmon, moose and other animals and plants vital for subsistence, religious and cultural practices. The US Federal Government and the State of Alaska have, to date, not responded to Chickaloon’s firmly-stated opposition to the mine.
The visit to the US by the Independent Expert, Mrs. Catarina de Albuquerque, a Portuguese human rights expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, includes stops in Washington DC, Boston Massachusetts and Northern California, where she will meet with the Winnemem Wintu and other Indigenous representatives. Her US visit will end on March 2, 2011.
During her visit she will meet with the US State Department and relevant Federal agencies as well organizations, communities and experts to receive information regarding the human right to water and sanitation and the federal and state policies and practices that affect this right. She is expected to make recommendations to the US government at the conclusion of her visit.
The right to water for Chickaloon and other Indigenous Peoples is not limited to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. It is closely linked to a range of other rights including Self-determination, subsistence, health, land and resources, cultural and religious practice and free, prior and informed consent. International standards including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognize Indigenous Peoples’ right to determine their own priorities for development and to exercise free, prior and informed consent regarding activities which may affect their traditional lands and resources, including water.
Coal mining in and around Chickaloon in the early 1900’s had devastating impacts, including contaminating rivers and decimating traditional food sources such as moose and salmon. The tribes’ long years of effort to restore its culture, subsistence, language, health and ecosystems, including its waterways, will be severely undercut if not nullified by the proposed new mining.
Explaining the reasons behind Chickaloon’s filing, Traditional Chief Gary Harrison stated: “International standards like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognize our inherent sacred right to protect our water and keep it clean for the animals, fish and future generations of our Nation. Our right to water is the same as our right to life. We can’t sit back and allow our human right to water to be violated again”.
For more information please contact:
Chickaloon Village Tribal Chief Gary Harrison: (907) 232-0777, garyharrison@chickaloon.org
Chickaloon Village Traditional Council Secretary Penny Westing: penny@chickaloon.org
Chickaloon Village Attorney Geoffery Stauffer: (907) 868-1859, staufferlawoffice@gmail.com
International Indian Treaty Council General Counsel Alberto Saldamando: (415) 641-4462, alberto@treatycouncil.org
International Indian Treaty Council Alaska Office, Executive Director Andrea Carmen: (907) 745-4482, andrea@treatycouncil.org
###
(CHICKALOON VILLAGE)
TRADITIONAL COUNCIL
Chickaloon Village presents its case against Coal Mining to United Nations Expert on the Human Right to Water
For Immediate Release
February 22, 2011: Chickaloon Native Village, a federally-recognized Athabascan Indian Tribal government in Alaska, filed a communication to the United Nations Independent Expert on the human right to water and sanitation in conjunction with her first official visit to the United States, which began today.
Chickaloon Village’s submission asserts that the new open-pit coal strip mine in its traditional territory proposed by the Usibelli Corporation would contaminate local drinking water sources as well as rivers, streams and groundwater that support salmon, moose and other animals and plants vital for subsistence, religious and cultural practices. The US Federal Government and the State of Alaska have, to date, not responded to Chickaloon’s firmly-stated opposition to the mine.
The visit to the US by the Independent Expert, Mrs. Catarina de Albuquerque, a Portuguese human rights expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, includes stops in Washington DC, Boston Massachusetts and Northern California, where she will meet with the Winnemem Wintu and other Indigenous representatives. Her US visit will end on March 2, 2011.
During her visit she will meet with the US State Department and relevant Federal agencies as well organizations, communities and experts to receive information regarding the human right to water and sanitation and the federal and state policies and practices that affect this right. She is expected to make recommendations to the US government at the conclusion of her visit.
The right to water for Chickaloon and other Indigenous Peoples is not limited to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. It is closely linked to a range of other rights including Self-determination, subsistence, health, land and resources, cultural and religious practice and free, prior and informed consent. International standards including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognize Indigenous Peoples’ right to determine their own priorities for development and to exercise free, prior and informed consent regarding activities which may affect their traditional lands and resources, including water.
Coal mining in and around Chickaloon in the early 1900’s had devastating impacts, including contaminating rivers and decimating traditional food sources such as moose and salmon. The tribes’ long years of effort to restore its culture, subsistence, language, health and ecosystems, including its waterways, will be severely undercut if not nullified by the proposed new mining.
Explaining the reasons behind Chickaloon’s filing, Traditional Chief Gary Harrison stated: “International standards like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognize our inherent sacred right to protect our water and keep it clean for the animals, fish and future generations of our Nation. Our right to water is the same as our right to life. We can’t sit back and allow our human right to water to be violated again”.
For more information please contact:
Chickaloon Village Tribal Chief Gary Harrison: (907) 232-0777, garyharrison@chickaloon.org
Chickaloon Village Traditional Council Secretary Penny Westing: penny@chickaloon.org
Chickaloon Village Attorney Geoffery Stauffer: (907) 868-1859, staufferlawoffice@gmail.com
International Indian Treaty Council General Counsel Alberto Saldamando: (415) 641-4462, alberto@treatycouncil.org
International Indian Treaty Council Alaska Office, Executive Director Andrea Carmen: (907) 745-4482, andrea@treatycouncil.org
###
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Coal Meeting 2/17, 7-9 pm @ MTA
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Wishbone Hill
Mat Valley Coalition
Wind damage video from December 2010 Wind Storm.
Coal Fact sheets AlaskaCoal.org
You Tube Wind video from the core area of the Mat Su.
Wishbone Hill
Health Impacts & Coal Ash
This fact sheet is part of the Coal Threats to Human Health series, produced by Alaska Community Action on Toxics for the Beyond Coal Human Health Campaign.
True Cost of Coal
The long-term costs and environmental impacts of coal-powered electricity and the associated increase in coal mining and combustion will directly affect the land, air, waters of Alaska and health of Alaskans.
Mercury, Coal & Fish
Alaska has issued fish mercury advisories for salmon.
NRDC
Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Destroys Communities
Mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining is one of the world’s most destructive practices for extracting fossil fuels. This extreme method of strip mining is scarring the landscape and threatening communities. In Alaska, strip mines
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Deadline for Chuitna Unsuitable Lands Petition extended
Public Notice:
Rescheduled on a new date: Feb. 19th in Tyonek
Comment deadline for Chuitna Unsuitable Lands Petition extended to 2/19/11 5pm.
Comments may be submitted as to the merits of the petitions to designate portions the Chuit River Watershed as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations under AS 27.21.260 and 11 AAC 90.705(a). Written comments on the merits of the petition must be received by the Department of Natural Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. February 19, 2011. Send comments to Russell Kirkham, 550 W 7th Ave Suite 920, Anchorage, AK, 99501, or email them to russell.kirkham@alaska.gov.
It is very important to continue to submit comments. One comment may pertain to one issue. DNR frequently will reschedule meetings and hearings to get a more favorable balance of Development comments. Please research any "successful" wetlands restoration after mining projects and "prove" why these are not the same as a wild salmon stream.
Rescheduled on a new date: Feb. 19th in Tyonek
Comment deadline for Chuitna Unsuitable Lands Petition extended to 2/19/11 5pm.
Comments may be submitted as to the merits of the petitions to designate portions the Chuit River Watershed as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations under AS 27.21.260 and 11 AAC 90.705(a). Written comments on the merits of the petition must be received by the Department of Natural Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. February 19, 2011. Send comments to Russell Kirkham, 550 W 7th Ave Suite 920, Anchorage, AK, 99501, or email them to russell.kirkham@alaska.gov.
It is very important to continue to submit comments. One comment may pertain to one issue. DNR frequently will reschedule meetings and hearings to get a more favorable balance of Development comments. Please research any "successful" wetlands restoration after mining projects and "prove" why these are not the same as a wild salmon stream.
127 people attended Jonesville Coal Mine Meeting
Update: DNR had 127 people sign in for the meeting. Great turnout! 26 people signed in to give oral comments. An additional 10 people gave comments by did not sign up. Only two people spoke in favor of the mining.
January 24, 5:30-8 pm Sutton Elementary School
SUTTON - Informal Conference on a SURFACE COAL MINING PERMIT RENEWAL JONESVILLE UNDERGROUND MINE will be held from 5:30pm to 8pm at the Sutton Elementary School. The Jonesville Coal Mine is located in the Matanuska Valley approximately 11 miles northeast of Palmer and approximately 2 miles northwest of Sutton, near the southeast portion of Wishbone Hill. The informal conference will be held between 5:30pm to 8:00pm on January 24, 2011.The public meeting is open to the general public and any person who is or may be adversely affected by the renewal of the permit may submit a written or oral statement.
January 24, 5:30-8 pm Sutton Elementary School
SUTTON - Informal Conference on a SURFACE COAL MINING PERMIT RENEWAL JONESVILLE UNDERGROUND MINE will be held from 5:30pm to 8pm at the Sutton Elementary School. The Jonesville Coal Mine is located in the Matanuska Valley approximately 11 miles northeast of Palmer and approximately 2 miles northwest of Sutton, near the southeast portion of Wishbone Hill. The informal conference will be held between 5:30pm to 8:00pm on January 24, 2011.The public meeting is open to the general public and any person who is or may be adversely affected by the renewal of the permit may submit a written or oral statement.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Gov. Parnell asks for your suggestions
Give our Governor your input on the Matanuska Coal Field development in our Borough. Gov. Parnell: I am asking for your suggestions in Resources, Energy, and Environment
Article about the resource development views of Daniel S. Sullivan, Director of the Department Natural Resources:
Alaska resource commissioner Sullivan plans 'engagement tour', 12/21/2010
Daniel S. Sullivan is the newly appointed DNR Commissioner, State Department Bio, link to his extensive bio on ADN. Daniel A. Sullivan is the Anchorage Mayor.
Article about the resource development views of Daniel S. Sullivan, Director of the Department Natural Resources:
Alaska resource commissioner Sullivan plans 'engagement tour', 12/21/2010
Daniel S. Sullivan is the newly appointed DNR Commissioner, State Department Bio, link to his extensive bio on ADN. Daniel A. Sullivan is the Anchorage Mayor.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Letter from DNR: don't worry citizens, we'll watch out for you
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF MINING, LAND & WATER -- MINING SECTION
550 WEST 7TH AVENUE, SUITE 920
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501-3514
PHONE: (907) 269-8621
FAX: (907) 269-8930
Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly
350 E. Dahlia Ave Palmer, Alaska 99645
Dear Assembly Members:
December 22, 2010
The Borough Planning Commission has put forth two resolutions, 10-31 and 10- 32, dealing with coal mining issues in the Borough. During the planning commission’s presentation at the Joint Assembly/Planning Commission Meeting on October 26 it was alleged that the Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act (ASCMCRA) does not address issues such as noise, dust, light or other issues not specifically addressed in the ASCMCRA performance standards.
The DNR wants to reassure the Assembly that the DNR does indeed have authority to address such issues stemming from coal mining operations or other such mining operations in the State. In addition to the comprehensive regulations (11 AAC 90) and statutes (AS 27.21) governing all aspects coal mining and related activities, the regulations recognize that the state needs the authority to address environmental issues not directly mentioned in regulations. This allows the DNR to address various conditions found in Alaska.
The state is willing to work with the Assembly, the community, and the developer in adopting additional standards that will minimize and mitigate the potential adverse environmental impacts of mining to the local citizenry. For instance, the DNR previously dealt with noise and light issues with respect to development of the True North/Fort Knox mine near Fairbanks. Under AMCMCRA, this can be accomplished through technical amendments to the existing mine permit and pursuant to 11 AAC 90.127(2).
Russ Kirkham, Coal Program Manager, and I are available to discuss how we can move forward in addressing these issues.
Sincerely,
Rick S. Fredericksen
ADNR Mining Section Chief
cc:
R.Kirkham
D. Mylius
E. Fogels
“Develop, Conserve, and Enhance Natural Resources for Present and Future Alaskans.”
DIVISION OF MINING, LAND & WATER -- MINING SECTION
550 WEST 7TH AVENUE, SUITE 920
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501-3514
PHONE: (907) 269-8621
FAX: (907) 269-8930
Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly
350 E. Dahlia Ave Palmer, Alaska 99645
Dear Assembly Members:
December 22, 2010
The Borough Planning Commission has put forth two resolutions, 10-31 and 10- 32, dealing with coal mining issues in the Borough. During the planning commission’s presentation at the Joint Assembly/Planning Commission Meeting on October 26 it was alleged that the Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act (ASCMCRA) does not address issues such as noise, dust, light or other issues not specifically addressed in the ASCMCRA performance standards.
The DNR wants to reassure the Assembly that the DNR does indeed have authority to address such issues stemming from coal mining operations or other such mining operations in the State. In addition to the comprehensive regulations (11 AAC 90) and statutes (AS 27.21) governing all aspects coal mining and related activities, the regulations recognize that the state needs the authority to address environmental issues not directly mentioned in regulations. This allows the DNR to address various conditions found in Alaska.
The state is willing to work with the Assembly, the community, and the developer in adopting additional standards that will minimize and mitigate the potential adverse environmental impacts of mining to the local citizenry. For instance, the DNR previously dealt with noise and light issues with respect to development of the True North/Fort Knox mine near Fairbanks. Under AMCMCRA, this can be accomplished through technical amendments to the existing mine permit and pursuant to 11 AAC 90.127(2).
Russ Kirkham, Coal Program Manager, and I are available to discuss how we can move forward in addressing these issues.
Sincerely,
Rick S. Fredericksen
ADNR Mining Section Chief
cc:
R.Kirkham
D. Mylius
E. Fogels
“Develop, Conserve, and Enhance Natural Resources for Present and Future Alaskans.”
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