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Mead Treadwell on Environment |
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.
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.
Treadwell spoke about language revitalization and efforts to adopt Native place names in Alaska. The lieutenant governor is chair of the Alaska Historical Commission, which coordinates with the US Board on Geographic Names get names on USGS maps.
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.
Development of natural resources and infrastructure is being obstructed by listing new species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and designation of critical habitats. In response, the Alaska Department of Law has taken action to avoid unwarranted listings by exchanging scientific data with federal agencies, and keeps tabs on recovering species so they can be delisted.
We are also actively opposing the Bureau of Land Management's recent decision to evaluate 87 million acres of land in Alaska as potential "wild lands." This sweeping mandate does an end-run around Congress and would lock up more of Alaska.
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