Environmental Protection Agency Will Revise Waters of the United States Rule
Christine Hopkins Named Small Business Person of the Year for Alaska
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced March 12 that the EPA will work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to deliver on President’s Trump’s promise to review the definition of “waters of the United States.” The agencies will move quickly to ensure that a revised definition follows the law, reduces red-tape, cuts overall permitting costs, and lowers the cost of doing business in communities across the country while protecting the nation’s navigable waters from pollution. Given the U.S. Supreme Court’s watershed decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, it is time for EPA to finally address this issue once and for all in a way that provides American farmers, landowners, businesses and states with clear and simplified direction. Administrator Zeldin was joined by Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI- 03) and Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall for the announcement. “We want clean water for all Americans supported by clear and consistent rules for all states, farmers,
The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Christine Hopkins, President, CEO and Managing Owner of ASCI Family of Companies (ASCI), as the 2025 Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Alaska. This prestigious recognition highlights Hopkins’ strategic vision and unwavering commitment to strengthening Alaska’s small business ecosystem and driving sustainable economic growth across the region. Each year, the SBA recognizes outstanding small business owners from across the nation during National Small Business Week (May 4-10, 2025). Hopkins, who along with ASCI are AMA members, will be honored at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 5. “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the SBA,” Hopkins said. “This award is a testament to the resilience of our team at ASCI and our commitment to supporting federal and commercial supply chain operations while fostering economic opportunities for small businesses.” Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, driving job creation and innovation. According to 2024 Small Business Statistics from the SBA:
and small businesses,” Zeldin said. “The previous Administration’s definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ placed unfair burdens on the American people and drove up the cost of doing business. Our goal is to protect America’s water resources consistent with the law of the land while empowering American farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs and families to help Power the Great American Comeback.” The definition of “Waters of the United States” guides Clean Water Act implementation, including whether farmers, landowners and businesses must secure costly permits before they can pursue a project. To date, EPA has failed to follow the law and implement the Supreme Court’s clear holding in Sackett. It is critical that Americans know which waters are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act to grow our economy and lower costs for American families while protecting human health and the environment. EPA will start its review by expeditiously obtaining input from stakeholders who were sidelined during the previous administration. The agency will seek targeted information on the key challenges that Americans are facing. — Environmental Protection Agency Press Office
n There are 34 million small businesses operating across the United States. n Small businesses accounted for two-thirds of net new jobs over the past 25 years.
n More than half of the U.S. labor force either works for or owns a small business. Hopkins’ leadership at ASCI aligns with this national trend, fostering economic growth, workforce development, and diversity in Alaska and beyond. Under Hopkins’ leadership, ASCI has grown into a leading provider of supply chain and asset management solutions for federal and commercial clients. In addition to securing multiple federal contracts, the company has expanded its women-owned small business (WOSB) certifications and played a crucial role in advocating for veteran and military spouse employment through partnerships such as the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) and the SkillBridge program.
Gold Prices Surpass $3,000 an Ounce for First Time
Gold prices passed $3,000 an ounce for the first time March 14, driven higher by a central bank buying spree, economic fragility worldwide and President Donald Trump’s attempts to rewrite the rules of global trade by imposing tariffs on allies and strategic rivals. The move through the psychological $3,000 level drives home gold’s centuries-old role as a store of value in turbulent times and as a gauge of fear in markets. In the last quarter century, the price has risen 10-fold, outperforming even the S&P 500, the benchmark for U.S. stocks, which quadrupled over the same period. As traders braced for tariffs, U.S. prices for gold surged above other international benchmarks, prompting dealers to rush bullion into America in large volumes before the levies come into force. More than 23 million ounces of gold, worth about $70 billion, flowed into the depositories of New York’s Comex futures exchange between election day and mid-March. The influx has been so vast that it helped drive the U.S. trade deficit to a record in January. Jumps in the gold price typically track broader economic and political stress. The metal breached the $1,000 an ounce mark in the aftermath of the financial crisis, and passed $2,000 during the Covid pandemic. Prices fell back
towards $1,600 after the pandemic, but began to rise again in 2023, driven by central banks, who bought bullion to diversify away from the dollar, over fears that the currency made them vulnerable to punitive action from the U.S. In early 2024, the market leaped again, driven by buying in China, where worries about the country’s economy were growing. The rally gained further momentum after the U.S. election, as markets absorbed the new administration’s aggressive trade policy. Gold’s recent rally has come despite what would typically be headwinds: higher interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar. When bonds or cash in the bank give a solid return, gold, which doesn’t generate interest, becomes less appealing. The U.S. dollar is the main currency in which gold is bought and sold. When it becomes more expensive to holders of other currencies, that typically leads to selling pressure on the metal. The new U.S. government’s trade policy has been the most important driver for gold in 2025. President Trump has enforced tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union, and imposed duties on Chinese goods, and on all imports of steel and aluminum. — Bloomberg News
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Victor Ross (907) 521-3588 victor.ross@stantec.com Steve Reidsma, PWS (907) 347-5215 steve.reidsma@stantec.com
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March 2025 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I March 2025
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