A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Members, When I started in my role as
bonded mining operations, and why imposing an arbitrary and punitive new financial assurance structure could demolish the health of the industry. While the Trump Administration ultimately decided this new structure was unnecessary, it is due to the immense efforts in our industry to ensure the legal and administrative record contained iron-clad documentation of why the rule was unnecessary that resulted in a favorable court ruling. Those efforts were spearheaded by the National Mining Association and the American Exploration & Mining Association, two groups that constantly have our back in Washington. In addition, the State of Alaska, BLM, and US Forest Service did an exemplary job defending their regulatory programs within this issue. Finally, fair season is underway, and it is our privilege to be able to represent our industry before thousands of Alaskans at fairs in Southeast Alaska, Fairbanks and Palmer. I’ve just returned from a driving trip to Haines where Karen Matthias and I experienced the Southeast Fair for the first time and had a fantastic experience talking with Alaskans from all over Southeast about the benefits of mining. You only need to look at the photos in this issue to see how much fun we had, and I expect the same for the upcoming fairs in Fairbanks and Palmer later this month. Don’t misunderstand there are immense challenges before us currently, most notably the intense State of Alaska budget debate ongoing as of press time. Our elected leaders have a tremendous task before them. I do not envy anyone having to make incredibly difficult decisions about what is best for Alaska. In my view, the best we can do on a personal level is be respectful of that challenge and contribute in any way we can to ensure we continue to see positive advancements not only in our industry, but for Alaska. With the great people of this state, I just don’t see how we can do anything but succeed. Enjoy what is left of your summer!
Executive Director in June 2012, some of you, and you know who you are, talked to me about what I’ve since learned is a myth—that summer is “slow time” for AMA. While all our miners are out mining, field seasons underway, or perhaps folks just taking some R&R, summer
was purported as this time that things were quiet, and we could tend to our long-term goals and administrative tasks at AMA. Seven years in, I’ve come to decide that the slow time exists in the same places as Bigfoot and unicorns. But I’ve also realized I wouldn’t have it any other way. One of the most enjoyable things about the staff, Lee, and I assembling these publications throughout the year is looking back at what we’ve been working on so that we can share it with you. Recapping our efforts and accomplishments gives me a great feeling. First, as you’ll read on the cover, we were absolutely thrilled to see the EPA’s withdrawal of the Proposed Determination at Pebble. This is exactly what we asked for when I joined six of my colleagues--Kati Capozzi, Alaska Chamber; Kara Moriarty, Alaska Oil and Gas Association; Rebecca Logan, Alaska Support Industry Alliance; Alicia Siira, Associated General Contractors of Alaska; Karen Matthias, Council of Alaska Producers, and Marleanna Hall, Resource Development Council--to meet with a visiting EPA delegation in late June. At that time, these amazing business leaders, almost every single one of them not necessarily “in the mining industry” voiced their grave concerns with how preemptive veto policy impacts all industry sectors, in all parts of our nation. I couldn’t be more grateful to these organizations for standing up for a fair regulatory process in our state. When you see them or their members, please take the chance to thank them. Keeping up with the great news, because it’s summertime and we deserve to celebrate, in late July we say a major victory when a D.C. Circuit court rejected the ENGO challenge to the EPA’s final rule to not require additional financial assurance of hardrock mines under CERCLA 108(b). This follows years of effort and supplying the Obama Administration with vast pages of reasons why our industry is superbly regulated, why State programs to require financial assurance have resulted in well-
Deantha Crockett Executive Director
Executive Board Mike Satre, President Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, Juneau Bill Jeffress, First Vice President SRK Consulting, Anchorage Bartly Kleven, Second Vice President Kinross – Fort Knox, Fairbanks Kim Aasand, Treasurer Aasand & Glore LLC, Anchorage Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Roger Speer, Denali Anna Atchison, Fairbanks James Sage, Haines Frank Bergstrom, Juneau Jim Duffield, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Andrew Spokely, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Steve Grabacki, Fisheries Meg Day, HR/Workforce Development Paul Glavinovich, State Oversight Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
The Alaska Miner is the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members.
It is published in partnership with the Alaska Miners Association by Fireweed Strategies LLC, 4849 Potter Crest Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516.
We actively seek contributions from our members and the mining industry. Please email story ideas and photos to Lee Leschper. Advertising Rates and New Tips For advertising information, or to submit news, story ideas and photos, call or email Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Crockett, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Laci Michaud, Projects Manager Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I August 2019
5
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease