A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Alaskans, Pebble has a clear path forward. This is an exciting time for us — and for all Alaskans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revoked the pre-emptive veto against Pebble. This signals a fair, equitable, and reliable permitting process. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) — a thorough and objective evaluation which shows clearly that Pebble can co-exist with the fisheries. We are committed to a project that benefits all Alaskans. It is time to move forward. Tom Collier, CEO Pebble Partnership
Dear Members, As we head into the Fairbanks Conference, it is a good time to reflect on the power of the geographic diversity of our membership. Since the beginning of this year, it seems I have been splitting my time between Anchorage, Fairbanks and (more proportionately) Juneau. Meeting with the miners and members in these communities so greatly benefits the work we do! In Juneau, working alongside Branch Chair Jim Clark, we’ve been keeping those folks aware of the work we are doing on the Tier 3 waters issue, as well as important mineral tenure legislation. Juneau has a great group of business-minded people that meets regularly and they’re keenly interested in not just our state initiatives, but our federal efforts as well, like the comments we are compiling on the revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) revisions; the Roadless Rule Exemption for the Tongass; and the final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. We also had a great legislative reception in mid-February with the Associated General Contractors of Alaska and Alaska Trucking Association. It continues to be a pleasure to host this event with these organizations and legislators appreciate us teaming up to have a single event where all can network. Recently, my staff and I made a trip to Fairbanks the end of February for a branch meeting and Conference planning. It was a well overdue trip and it just made my day to see so many familiar faces. We had a lovely welcome from Branch Chair Mark Huffington and had a great discussion with Interior miners about the efforts coming out of the statewide office. Roger Burggraf adjourns their meeting, which was quite possibly the sweetest part of the morning for me. Interior Alaska is truly a fantastic group of people. Thank you for having us, and I’ll be back soon!
We are looking forward to a great Fairbanks Biennial Conference. We’ve had productive meetings and are just a few weeks away. This journal is packed with information regarding what you can expect the week of March 30 to April 4! In all three of the statewide communities I have visited recently, members have shared concerns about changes to the University of Alaska. This is no doubt a complex and challenging situation, and one we do not take lightly Our State Oversight and Executive Committees have deliberated AMA’s role and position at length, and arrived at a position included in our 2020 Issues of Concern document: Maintain a highly trained Alaskan workforce through support of all mining and geology related degree programs in the UA system, the UAF Mining and Geologic Engineering program, and vocational training programs like MAPTS. We have testified several times on our position and will continue to advocate for the right programs to be maintained at the University, while recognizing the need for fiscal reform. I look forward to visiting other branches in
the near future. Blake Bogart’s group in Nome has been bustling to prepare for the summer season and our new Kenai branch chair, Houston Morris, has invited us this summer for fishing and a branch meeting. Last year, AMA Officer Lorali Simon held a meeting to check in with our folks in Healy, and I know she is looking forward to doing so again in 2020. Finally, Karen Matthias with Council of Alaska Producers and I are planning to build upon a successful Mining Day at the Southeast Alaska State again this year with Haines Chair Liz Cornejo. The issues of AMA take the majority of my time, but the members of this association are what make me love my job. This truly is a genuine, hardworking and motivated group of people, and I am extremely blessed to be a part of this group. Can’t wait to see so many of you in Fairbanks. Many thanks,
Deantha Crockett Executive Director
Executive Board Bill Jeffress, President SRK Consulting, Anchorage Bartly Kleven, First Vice President Kinross-Fort Knox, Fairbanks Lorali Simon, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer Aasand & Glore LLC, Anchorage Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Lorali Simon, Denali Mark Huffington, Fairbanks
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Steve Grabacki, Fisheries Meg Smith, 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.
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A CLEAR PATH FORWARD
Liz Cornejo, Haines Jim Clark, Juneau
On The Cover: The Spring Biennial Alaska Miners Convention in Fairbanks will offer plenty to see and do. Attendees may even get to see the Northern Lights while they’re at the event.
Houston Morris, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Andrew Spokely, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
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March 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I March 2020
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