State of Alaska Archives: on Environment

Bill Walker: Fisheries: science-based policy & input from stakeholders

I will consult with the fishing industry and other stakeholders when making appointments to policy and leadership positions in fisheries in my administration. I recognize that all users have a stake in the State's fisheries management system. I will engage with citizens and stakeholders with the intent of exploring solutions to conservation issues.

As governor, I will work with stakeholders to strike a balance between competing interests. This is a tough task.

[To accomplish that], the State needs a highly qualified, scientific management agency led by professional, experienced, and engaged individuals in leadership positions in the Department of Fish and Game.

Bill Walker: State should address climate change

Bill Walker: Open Donlin goldmine; deal with mercury & cyanide monitoring

"I have to have a pretty strong reason to not support something and so I'm still looking at that, but what I know of it I'm comfortable with," Walker said.

The Donlin mine will require large treatment facilities for mercury and cyanide coming from the mine's operations. The Y-K Delta would have to be monitored forever, once it ceases operations.

Gov. Walker says he doesn't see the state relaxing monitoring enforcement, even with the budget crunch the last couple of years. He's confident the state can adequately regulate the mine. "We certainly we have laws in place," Walker said. "I believe if we need to strengthen those laws, then let's strengthen those laws."

Bill Walker: Opposes "Stand for Salmon"; we need development instead

A: Walker is a "no" on Ballot Measure 1. He said he was a "no" before the Alaska Supreme Court ruled the initiative could go on the November ballot with some adjustments. He said he has been cautioned that, as governor, he needed to be careful about wading into the debate. But, to be clear, he said, he's still a "no."

"It concerns me a great deal as an Alaskan, as what I'm trying to do as governor on bringing companies here, doing development in Alaska," he said. "An initiative is a blunt instrument and it's one that doesn't have the kind of back and forth that you normally would have in this kind of legislation, what would happen in Juneau on a piece of legislation such as this."

Cean Stevens: Fight against overreach of natural resource agencies

1. Aggressive distribution of private property to all Alaskans.
2. Fight against the overreach of regulatory agencies to be able to develop our natural resources in a responsible way.
3. To develop the educational needs of our children to help them gain meaningful employment, not just a minimum wage.

Cean Stevens: Feds have violated Alaskan jurisdiction over fish and game

Charlie Huggins: Develop our natural resources by our state Constitution

Christopher Kurka: Shouldn't tolerate Federal oversight of our resources

Dan Sullivan: Stop EPA from pre-judging Pebble Mine

As for Sullivan, he blasted Begich for not stopping the EPA's review. Sullivan said that as Natural Resources commissioner, he'd asked the EPA where they get the authority to prejudge a project that doesn't even exist. "Whether you're for Pebble or against it, no Alaskan should be for an EPA that believes it can preemptively look at any project in the state, on state land, and tell us whether or not we can move forward on it," he said. "We should have a senator who's telling the EPA we can't do that, and we don't," Sullivan said.

Joe Miller: Alaska has resource wealth; develop it & wean off of feds

He added it was an idea recognized by former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens earlier this year. Alaska is sitting on a wealth of natural resources, Miller said, and promised to fight for development just as Stevens, who served in the U.S. Senate representing Alaska for 40 years, fought to bring home federal dollars.

McAdams questioned Miller's ability to follow through on his claims, saying, "I think he'll find more opponents in the Senate than he'll find allies." Murkowski called Miller's plans simplistic. She said she was not sure how Miller could force areas to be opened for resource extraction, given that the federal government owns two-thirds of Alaska.

Kelly Tshibaka: Environmental extremists prevent our true potential

Lisa Murkowski: Kept rank on Natural Resources Committee after dropping GOP

A: I'm not surprised. This was an affirmation of the relationship that I've built over the past eight years with the people that I work with. As difficult as the politics are, as awkward as the situation is, I had really believed that my friends would recognize that what I'm doing is for my state. I think they appreciate that and that they also recognize, "You know what? Lisa might be a risk taker, but she's got a real shot at coming back here, and it only makes good sense that we would not want to be so punitive that she would be discouraged by the actions of her colleagues."

Mark Begich: No metal mining at Pebble Mine; it damages salmon fishery

Begich recently came out publicly opposing Pebble. But Begich did not request the EPA review, said his campaign spokesman. Instead, that request came from tribes and other groups.

As for Sullivan, he blasted Begich for not stopping the EPA's review. Sullivan said that as Natural Resources commissioner, he'd asked the EPA where they get the authority to prejudge a project that doesn't even exist. "Whether you're for Pebble or against it, no Alaskan should be for an EPA that believes it can preemptively look at any project in the state, on state land, and tell us whether or not we can move forward on it," he said.

Mark Begich: Allow gravel road through federal refuge to isolated village

Following Jewell's decision, Begich has introduced legislation to override her rejection, and called the decision to put wildlife ahead of public safety irresponsible, his campaign spokesman said.

Begich isn't working to keep the federal government from stopping Alaska development, including at the giant National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where development opportunities have been halved by new policies there, said Treadwell. Greenland and regional governments in Canada have regained full control of their national land, and Alaska needs similar freedoms, he said.

Mark Begich: Gold mine can co-exist with Native subsistence lifestyle

The Donlin mine would increase barge traffic on the Kuskokwim River, the food source for many residents in the Y-K Delta. It will require large treatment facilities for mercury and cyanide coming from the mine's operations. Donlin has already received a water permit from the state to discharge wastewater into Crooked Creek, which drains into the Kuskokwim River.

People living the Y-K Delta are also worried about what will happen after the mine stops producing. The site would have to be monitored forever, once it ceases operations.

Mark Begich: Supports the "Stand for Salmon" ballot measure

A: Begich said he's a "yes" on Ballot Measure 1. It allows a "right to know," he said. "If there's going to be a megaproject, the public gets to be involved from a state perspective. They get to have comment. If there's mitigation requirements, they're going to have to uphold those mitigation requirements," he said. He said state lawmakers could have passed a bill that addressed the issue.

"The back and forth that the governor talks about is a great idea, but where were these guys when the debate was supposed to be happening? Why weren't they talking about this?" he said. "Instead, 45,000 people got a little upset at the government. That's how the initiative process works . That's how it works when the legislative system breaks.

Mary Peltola: Responsible resource development with local control

NO PEBBLE: The people of the Bristol Bay region have spoken out strongly against this particular mine, which would pose an existential risk to the greatest sockeye salmon run in the world. I will work to establish permanent protections for the region.

Matthew Corey: Open parts of ANWR Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration?

A: Yes.

Q: Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?

A: No.

Mead Treadwell: Demand sane development of our Arctic lands

At times we have had to demand [from the federal government] sane development of our lands, and understanding of the Arctic. We've had to insist on the equal protections for our coastline, for missile defense, and support for our Coast Guard, soldiers, sailors and airmen. We must often still make the case for transportation infrastructure, or shout for protection of our fish from predators, be they foreign fishermen or federal managers.

As we gird for similar battles ahead--especially to gain access to explore lands that will help fill the Alaska Pipeline--celebrating [past] battles will help.

Mead Treadwell: Good science should drive all fisheries decisions

On fisheries, Treadwell believes "knowledge is power." He said his entire career has focused on "commons management" of resources. Treadwell helped [a 1974 gubernatorial candidate] pen his position on the 200-mile limit, and he later wrote his graduate thesis at Yale on the limit's history going back to 1937. "I also am no stranger to the senior fisheries managers in this country. I have been part of the fight to get CDQs (Community Development Quotas)--and I will be there fighting with knowledge even if I don't have seniority," he said.

Treadwell said he is "passionate" about protecting the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities. "I think of our fishermen as some of the last free people on earth and I want to make sure we maintain that freedom," he said.

Mead Treadwell: Fight EPA's Pebble Mine restrictions

Begich recently came out publicly opposing Pebble. But Begich did not request the EPA review, said his campaign spokesman. Instead, that request came from tribes and other groups.

Asked why Treadwell said Begich had requested the review, a Treadwell spokesman provided no evidence that Begich had made the request, but said it's no secret that Begich is close to the EPA and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.

Mead Treadwell: Mines employ a lot of people; open Donlin gold mine

The Donlin mine will require large treatment facilities for mercury and cyanide coming from the mine's operations. The Y-K Delta would have to be monitored forever, once it ceases operations.

Gov. Walker says he doesn't see the state relaxing monitoring enforcement, even with the budget crunch the last couple of years. Walker's competitors tout other benefits of the Donlin mine. Former Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell is running as a Republican. Treadwell praises Donlin's promise to bring more jobs to the Y-K Delta.

"There are mines around the state that employ a lot of people and it's one of the most important things we can do for regional development," Treadwell said.

Mike Dunleavy: Monetize timber instead of letting it burn or rot

But for the most part, we don't manage our resources well in the state of Alaska. Timber, for example. What we do now in the state of Alaska is we basically let the timber just burn or rot and fall down. We don't put it to use. We don't monetize it.

The 300,000 barrels of oil that we have recently discovered on the North Slope, we need to get that into the pipeline as soon as possible. That will lower the tariff costs for the pipeline, providing more money for the state, royalties and taxes. This will provide the revenue we need for our programs.

So at this stage of the game, with oil revenues, prices of oil at about $70 a barrel, we may not have to cut like we had to or we envisioned a few years ago when oil was at $26 a barrel.

Mike Dunleavy: Opposes the "Stand for Salmon" ballot measure

A: Dunleavy said he's a "no" on Ballot Measure 1. "We have environmental protections in place," he said. "If Ballot Measure 1 passes or similar measures pass and we continue to tighten up on our ability to create projects and put people to work, I don't know where we're going to get the money. I don't know what's going to become of Alaska."

Mike Dunleavy: The ability to own land is a core American value

Ray Metcalfe: Clean up former industrial sites; fund more open space

Metcalfe supports the following principles regarding environment:
• Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused or abandoned.
• Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
• Q: Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
  A: Yes.
• Q: Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
  A: Yes.

Sarah Palin: Provide stability in regulations for developers

Sarah Palin: Convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR

Sarah Palin: We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing

Sarah Palin: Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered

This action follows written notice given more than 60 days ago, asking that the regulation listing the polar bear as threatened be withdrawn. "We believe that the Service's decision to list the polar bear was not based on the best scientific and commercial data available," Governor Palin said.

The Service's analysis failed to adequately consider the polar bears' survival through prior warming periods, and its findings that the polar bear is threatened by sea-ice habitat loss are not warranted. The Service also failed to adequately consider the existing regulatory mechanisms which have resulted in a sustainable worldwide polar bear population that has more than doubled in number over the last 40 years to 20,000-25,000 bears.

Sarah Palin: Fish platform: "Resource First" philosophy

• "Resource First" Philosophy
• Professional ADF&G Management with Adequate Funding
• Fishery Advisor
• Balanced Board and Council Appointments
• Aggressive Marketing Campaign
• No Fish Farming

Sarah Palin: Rail provides critical link for business development

• The railroad provides a critical link to Interior Alaska for hauling equipment & materials, as well as passengers.
• Rail service & use has improved greatly over the past few years. The system is being managed, maintained, and upgraded to better standards.
• Rail development is ideal for transport of heavy items. If it is economically beneficial over the long term, rail should be utilized open up those areas of Alaska currently not served by roads in order to support business development.

Sarah Palin: Wolf predator control is important for subsistence hunters

Miller's bill would ban the shooting of wolves from aircraft, a component of moose and caribou management plans in five specific areas of Alaska. Contrary to what Rep. Miller said in Washington yesterday, there is no "aerial hunting" of wolves in Alaska, Palin said. "Our science-driven and abundance-based predator management program involves volunteers who are permitted to use aircraft to kill some predators where we are trying to increase opportunities for Alaskans to put healthy food on their families' dinner tables. It is not hunting."

Sarah Palin: Feds shouldn't list beluga whales as endangered

"Our scientist feel confident that it would be unwarranted to list Cook Inlet belugas now," Gov. Palin said. "Seven years ago, NMFS determined that these whales weren't endangered, and since then, we've actually seen the beginnings of an increase in their population. We are all doing everything we can to help protect these important marine mammals."

The state submitted 95 pages of data and formal comments to NMFS on the proposed listing, pointing out that the Cook Inlet stock of belugas is recovering from an "unsustainable harvest" in the early 1990s. "I am especially concerned that an unnecessary federal listing and designation of critical habitat would do serious long-term damage to the vibrant economy of the Cook Inlet area," Palin said.

Scott McAdams: Extract resource wealth respected labor & environment

McAdams questioned Miller's ability to follow through on his claims. "I don't think that his statements are realistic," he said after the forum. "I don't think that Joe's going to be able to caucus and get any real movement with moving Alaska forward. I think he'll find more opponents in the Senate than he'll find allies." McAdams suggested he could be more effective as a Democrat in the Senate, changing the culture of the caucus, demonstrating that Alaska is environmentally sound and has a labor tradition allowing working men and women to share in the wealth of extraction. "When we don't embrace American and Alaskan resource extraction, we export environmental degradation to countries that don't have any governance tradition that allows them to enforce environmental law, a labor tradition that allows them to share in the wealth," he said

Sean Randall Parnell: Feds misuse ESA listings to delay resource development

Sean Randall Parnell: AK statehood was a mandate for resource development

Sean Randall Parnell: Don't leave Alaska's oil buried in the ground

Sean Randall Parnell: Oil and gas production means jobs for Americans

Sean Randall Parnell: Explore & extract rare earth elements in Alaska

Sean Randall Parnell: Support timber industry by increasing land for logging

Sean Randall Parnell: Natural resources are to be used; not locked up by feds

Sean Randall Parnell: Alaska is not just one big national park; keep EPA out

Sean Randall Parnell: Invest in natural resources: fishing, mining, and timber

Alaska also has a vibrant mining industry that supports more than 5,500 jobs, and this is only scratching the surface of the potential. Indeed, Alaska has many deposits of untapped rare earth elements. These minerals are critical to America's security and economy. My budget includes almost $3 million for an assessment of rare earths.

The timber industry also has deep roots in Alaska. I am proud to report that we expanded the Southeast State Forest, because when we open more land for timber, we open more opportunity and more jobs for Alaskans.