...be sure to RSVP to our Membership Appreciation Potluck |
A flock of sandpipers gather in Cordova on May 4, 2024. Photo by Ryan Marsh |
In this week's newsletter, spend some time reading up on the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority's misleading claims, and about NANA Regional Corporation's decision to withdraw support from Ambler Road. Plus, be sure to check out plenty of upcoming save-the-dates for community events and volunteer opportunities. |
House Finance Committee rights an AIDEA wrong |
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Last week brought the latest development in an ongoing saga with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA). Back in March, the House Transportation Committee quietly added an amendment to give AIDEA $300 million in new bonding authority, with the intent to use it for unnamed infrastructure development for critical minerals projects.
But legislators on the House Finance Committee balked at giving AIDEA (which has a long track record of failed and speculative investments) vast sums of money with no oversight. Rep. Bryce Edgmon of Dillingham marveled at the idea, questioning the allocation of $300 million without a plan.
The amendment has since been removed to restore the bill’s original intent to provide the Alaska Railroad Corporation funds to update Seward’s docks.
Wednesday, economists Milt Barker and Gregg Erickson testified before the Senate Finance Committee about their recent reports for SalmonState highlighting AIDEA’s woeful financial performance and misleading claims about job creation. To date, the state has invested $292 million more in the corporation than it has been paid back in dividends from AIDEA. They currently have $631 million in cash that isn’t being invested for the good of Alaska, and the legislature has the authority to use that money.
Take Action: Please consider signing the Alaska Wilderness League petition asking the legislature to hold AIDEA accountable. |
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Alaska Congressional Delegation backs Donlin Gold Mine |
A few weeks ago, a new report demonstrated that the chances of a catastrophic tailings dam failure at the proposed Donlin Gold Mine are significantly higher than estimated by the U.S. Army Corps in the project’s Environmental Impact Statement. Tailings dams, where waste rock is stored after ore extraction, can fail and cause severe contamination into surrounding rivers and waterways.
Despite this new and damning information, the Alaska congressional delegation, including Rep. Mary Peltola, signed an amicus brief supporting development of the mine. This is a devastating change of heart from Rep. Peltola. She is from the region and previously stated that if the project could not protect the region’s salmon-spawning waterways and did not have social license to operate, she would not support it.
Both the Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition and the Association of Village Council Presidents issued statements expressing their deep disappointment in Rep. Peltola’s change of heart. |
NANA withdraws support from Ambler Road |
Yesterday, NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. announced that they have withdrawn their support for the Ambler Access Project. NANA stated a lack of confidence in the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority’s (AIDEA) ability to provide jobs and benefits to communities and protect caribou and subsistence resources as part of the decision to withdraw their support.
"This decision reflects unmet criteria, insufficient consultation, and a lack of confidence in the project’s alignment with our values and community interests," they wrote in a statement published yesterday. The corporation also claimed that AIDEA has not pursued adequate consultation or upheld Inupiaq values throughout the project process. Read their full statement here.
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Join us for our Member Appreciation Potluck! |
Photo by Christin Swearingen |
Our annual Member Appreciation Potluck will be on Wednesday, June 5, in our backyard in Fairbanks (830 College Road), from 6-8 pm. Please click here to RSVP or volunteer! |
Run for the Refuge Sponsorship Request |
Run for the Refuge registration is open and seeking business sponsorship!
This year we are holding a virtual Run for the Refuge, much like we did in 2020. Shifting this event to virtual participation allows far more access to the event, including folks across the state using any method of human-powered transportation. We are so grateful for the incredible outpouring of support this event has received over the years, and we are enthusiastic to continue raising awareness for Arctic Refuge protections through the virtual run. To sign up for the Run for the Refuge, click here. To see sponsor benefits, click here.
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Public hearing for salmon fishing closure |
Salmon drying near Nuiqsut. Photo by Keri Oberly |
The Fisheries Manager at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, in coordination with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, is proposing to close federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River drainage to the harvest of chinook, chum, and coho salmon by all users starting June 1.
Harvest opportunities for federally-qualified subsistence users may be announced during this closure. The public is encouraged to provide comments to the Federal Manager on the proposed closure. Comment on May 15, from 4:30-6:30pm (or until conclusion of public comments), via Teams Teleconference. Teleconference: 1-833-436-1163 / Conference ID: 158 989 886# |
Susitna River Coalition is hiring |
The Susitna River Coalition is seeking a new Executive Director. After 10 years, Melissa Heuer is stepping down to focus on other endeavors. The deadline to apply is June 1. Click here for more information on this position, including pay range, key responsibilities, and qualifications. |
Other environmental news from around the state |
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Searching for microplastics on North America’s highest peak (By Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News)
"As they pursue their goal of climbing the highest peak in North America, Jaramillo and Crisafi-Lurtsema have another mission, one that no climber has executed before — to find whether microplastics have reached the frozen roof of North America. They will collect snow samples at every 2,000 feet of elevation they gain in their attempt to summit the 20,310-foot peak...." |
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Fairbanks News and Opportunities |
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Join Save Our Domes on May 11 for their community clean-up event. The group will be completing trash pick-up for a 1-mile stretch of Sheep Creek Road in the Goldstream Valley. Meet at Goldstream Sports (711 Sheep Creek Rd.) at 1pm. Save Our Domes will provide high-visibility vests and trash bags, but bring your own gloves and a cup to enjoy a beverage and snacks after the clean-up! Please no dogs, or children under age 12.
Donations Needed: Backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and binoculars (like new) for our Adventure Borealis program. Contact christin@northern.org to arrange a donation.
We are seeking housing for our summer intern and for Friends of Creamer's Field staff. Do you have an extra room or apartment in Fairbanks where someone could stay June through July? Let us know by responding to this email.
Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition is hiring for two positions:
Policy & Politics Organizer: Coordinate and support FCAC’s volunteer-led efforts within the Policy & Politics Working Group to advance climate action policy and political priorities within the Fairbanks community. -
Summer Outreach Fellow: Coordinate and lead FCAC summer outreach opportunities. (Part time, June-August)
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MISSION The Northern Alaska Environmental Center promotes conservation of the environment and sustainable resource stewardship in Interior and Arctic Alaska through education and advocacy. |
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