Castle Mountain Coalition

BIG, BIG Coal coming to Chickaloon

castlemountain — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:14:02 +0000

When the winner of the bidding for the Chickaloon coal leases was announced at a meeting of the Resource Committee of the Mental Health Trust Land Office, there was some confusion over who controlled RiversdaleAlaska. The first explanation was that it was a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, which would mean that Big Coal was coming to the Valley. The MHTLO is now backing off that statement, contending that the owner of RiversdaleAlaska, Riversdale Resources is a separate company.

But one way or another, Big Coal is coming. The people who control Riversdale Resources are three high officials of Riversdale Mining, the company Rio Tinto acquired in a take-over in June 2011.

Riversdale Mining was itself a huge player in coal projects in Mozambique. Its Benga Mine is expected to produce 5 million tons of coal a year, apparently rising to a potential of 20 million tons in 2016. http://www.resourceinvestor.com/News/2010/4/Pages/Riversdale-Mining-Opens-Benga-Coal-Project-in-Mozambique.aspx

The Alaska Mental Health Land Trust has announced the results of the competitive bidding for Chickaloon Coal leases. Riversdale Alaska, a company that appears to be owned by Anglo-Austrailian mining giant Rio Tinto is your new neighbor. Click here for more information. And here for even more. Good luck folks, Rio Tinto is one of the world’s largest mining corporations, and they have a long record of abusing communities, employees, and the environment. This should be a wake up call to those who think that coal mining will be a good thing for the MatanuskaValley.

If this concerns you, it is time to get involved. The next step for the company will be to apply for exploration permits with the DNR. There will be multiple opportunities for the community to have input into this process. We will do our best to keep you posted of all developments.

Here is the press release that the Trust issued today:

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Greg Jones
907-269-8656
greg.jones@alaska.gov

Marcie Menefee
907-269-8753
marcie.menefee@alaska.gov

Riversdale Alaska Top Bidder, Offering $3 Million for Mat-Su Coal Lease

Development Could Produce Long-Term Revenue for Mental Health Programs

ANCHORAGE (January 5, 2012) – The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority’s Trust Land Office (TLO) today announced Riversdale Alaska LLC is the apparent high bidder for 9,927.60 acres of potential coal-bearing lands in the Mat-Su Valley. Riversdale submitted a bonus bid totaling $3 million.

The single tract near Chickaloon is believed to contain high-quality, low-sulfur bituminous coal. Riversdale will need to secure an exploration permit from the Department of Natural Resources in order to evaluate the geology and determine if any of the coal resources can be mined.

Riversdale Alaska LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Australian Riversdale Resources Pty Ltd. Riversdale management were previously involved in the development of the Benga Coal Project, an anthracite coal mine in Mozambique, that was purchased by Rio Tinto Ltd for A$ 4.0 billion in late 2010.

In addition to Riversdale, the TLO received bids from Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc., Alaska Mining and Energy Co., and Arctic Coal LLC for The Trust’s coal holdings in the historic Chickaloon coal mining area.

Annual rent for this lease offering is $4 per acre per year, adjusted in five-year intervals. The Trust will receive a royalty of 5 percent of the gross value of any coal mined and sold from the land. The goal for issuing any coal or mineral lease by the TLO on Trust land is to obtain royalty payments for the value of the resource and to provide a long-term revenue stream for beneficiary programs.

CMC Press Release Nov 28, 2011

castlemountain — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:44:03 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Usibelli Coal Operating Without Valid Permit at Proposed Wishbone Hill Coal Mine

Citizen’s Letter Demands DNR Halt Usibelli’s Illegal Activities

Palmer, AK – Local citizens fighting the controversial Wishbone Hill coal project have sent a letter to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources alleging that Usibelli Coal Company has been operating illegally and without a valid permit and should be ordered to halt project development.

Located less than five miles from thousands of Palmer and Wasilla homes, the proposed Wishbone Hill project was initially permitted in 1991, but state records clearly show that the permits expired on September 4, 1996 due to the prior permit holder’s failure to begin operations within the time frame required under Alaska law. The citizen’s letter contends that Usibelli’s current operations at Wishbone Hill are illegal, occurring over 15 years after the permits expired.

“The entire point of the law requiring mining to start within a reasonable time frame after their permits are approved is to avoid this exact situation – a company trying to start mining decades later, with outdated permits that fail to protect local communities and property owners,” said Jeremiah Millen, Executive Director of Friends of Mat Su.

“Usibelli Coal Company has tried to bill themselves as a good neighbor to Mat-Su residents, but the record clearly shows otherwise,” said Alice Ciostek, local resident and member of Friends of Mat-Su. “Continued unpermitted and illegal operations at the Wishbone Hill mine site will destroy property values and impact communities across the Mat-Su. When you consider how quickly outrage from local residents is growing, it’s no wonder they are trying to rush their project along.”

“Usibelli failed to take the steps necessary to maintain its DNR permit. This, combined with the company’s failure to obtain an air quality permit from DEC, and its long record of environmental and worker safety violations, makes me wonder what kind of a neighbor UCM would really be,” said Judy Donegan, a Castle Mountain Coalition supporter and resident who lives near the proposed mine.

This letter followed a controversial public hearing on Usibelli Coal Company’s mining permit renewal, attended by more than 300 local citizens, the majority of whom oppose the project.

DNR is required by regulation to respond to the citizen’s letter within 10 to 15 days.

[[LEGAL BACKGROUND]]

The Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act (“ASCMCRA”) and DNR’s implementing regulations govern coal mining activities in the State. A central requirement of the law is that an operator cannot undertake surface coal mining activities without a permit from DNR; this requirement is intended to protect the public from the harmful impacts of unregulated coal mining. Permits are issued by DNR for a term of five years, and the permitee must begin coal mining within three years of receiving the permit, or within a specified time if an extension is requested and granted. Failure to begin operations within that time results in the termination of the permit. Once a permit terminates, an operator must obtain a new permit before it can undertake any coal mining activities at the site under ASCMCRA.

For more information, visit: www.matvalley.org

Wishbone Hill Public Hearing on November 15th

castlemountain — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:45:04 +0000

Wishbone Hill Public Hearing on November 15th

Coal is like cancer. Stop it early! Stop it from spreading!

Whether you care about coal in Chickaloon or Sutton the Nov. 15th public hearing is your time to express your concerns to Usibelli and the Department of Natural Resources. It’s the same players, don’t get railroaded.

While Chickaloon coal is being spearheaded by the Menatl Health Trust Land Office, one of its interested lesees is Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. Greg Jones from MHTLO recently visited the Chickaloon Community Council to garner support and inform the community about the project. In an October 20th MHTLO meeting Greg Jones reported that the Chickaloon community appears to be on board with the mission of the trust. He even reported that he received a round of applause. This skewed PR campaign needs to be addressed . If you have not voiced your concern yet, NOW is the time.

Wishbone Hill Coal development in Sutton will pave the way for coal development in Chickaloon. Now is the time to halt this process. Make yourself heard and help protect the entire watershed of theMatanuskaValley.

The Wishbone Hill Coal Mine is your chance to stop the spread of coal in the valley. Gather your friends and gather your neighbors, this may be your last chance.

The Wishbone Hill Public Hearing is set for November 15th at 6pm the SuttonElementary School.

What: Wishbone Hill Mine Public Hearing – Last Chance to Speak Up!

When: Tuesday, November 15th at 6pm

Where: SuttonElementary School

How You Can Help:

Mark November 15th on your calendar and plan to attend the Wishbone Hill Public Hearing!

Get at least 3 of your neighbors, friends, or family to attend with you.

Volunteer with the Mat Valley Coalition to phone bank or help with door-to-door teams. Email the Mat Valley Coalition at mvc@mtaonline.net to help.

What We Have for You:

Orange t-shirts and signs to make sure our message is loud and clear: We don’t want this coal mine in our Valley!

Carpool coordination – email the Mat Valley Coalition at mvc@mtaonline.net to join in.

This will be the last chance to submit public comment and speak up against this mine permit. It’s not too late to stop this mine and protect our quality of life. Your voice makes a difference!

11,487 Acres of Land Leased for COAL MINING in Chickaloon!

Carli — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:12:31 +0000

Alaska Mental Health Trust is trying to Drive Us Crazy Again!
The Alaska Mental Health Trust is offering 11,487 acres for lease in Chickaloon for coal exploration. Exploration drilling could begin as early as this winter.

What can coal mining do to Chickaloon?

Destroy our clean air and plentiful water supply
Change our trails into roads for 50 ton coal trucks
Spoil our quality of life
Decimate the area moose populations
Shrink our property values
Ruin the local businesses that depend on a clean and peaceful environment

What can you do?
Let the Alaska Mental Health Trust know what you think about the prospect of coal mining in Chickaloon! Write to them NOW (comments are due by November 7th by 2pm) and ask that they withdraw their decision to lease their land for coal mining. It is in their best interest to pursue sustainable land management practices. Mining coal to fund mental health programs is madness!
Send comments to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office no later than
2 p.m., November 7, 2011.
Mail your written comments to:
Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office
2600 Cordova Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
or
Email them to:
mhtlo@alaska.gov

Many residents have concerns about water, air and noise pollution, industrial mining traffic, habitat degradation, and the loss of the rural Alaskan lifestyle. It has been well documented what the coal mining industry has done to other communities throughout the United States, many have been destroyed or changed forever.

This is not just a local issue. The proposed lease is in the Mat Valley Moose Range. Coal mining could ruin important wildlife habitat, wetlands, hunting and recreation. Four major trails (King River, Permanente, Chickaloon-Knik-Nelchina, and Chickaloon River) could potentially be used as access roads. New roads may also be built into the backcountry.

Join us in our fight to stop this coal project. Coal is our past, not our future.

CMC press release

castlemountain — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:22:49 +0000

Castle Mountain Coalition

PO Box 1244

Chickaloon, AK 99674

www.castlemountaincoalition.org

CMC@castlemountaincoalition.org

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Mental Health Trust Authority does not act in the best interest of communities and clients

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (MHT) is offering to lease 11,487 acres of land in Chickaloon for coal exploration. This is the second time in five years the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office has solicited bids from coal mine companies for the exploration of land in Chickaloon. In 2007 a coal exploration company faced such strong community opposition they withdrew their interest and terminated their lease. This opposition still exists today. And, although the Castle Mountain Coalition has in good faith offered alternative uses for the Mental Health Trust land their land office continues to pursue this unpopular and harmful course of action.

It is important to note that their coal lease offering is dependent on a best interest finding (http://www.mhtrustland.org/documents/Signed-Best-Interest-Decision-2012-6%209_MM_.pdf)that justifies the use of MHT land in Chickaloon. This best interest finding is lacking in several ways, but one of the most obvious is the complete disregard for the people who call Chickaloon home, and how coal mining will impact a thriving community. The document does not even mention the surrounding community or potential impacts to these Alaskan residents.

However the most important thing to know is that the MHT does not need to dig up and sell Chickaloon coal to foreign interests just to make a buck. The MHT has 480 million dollars, but they only use 26 million dollars annually to fulfill their mission to fund statewide mental health programs. The MHT claims it is in the best interest of their beneficiaries to use Chickaloon land this way. We strongly disagree, and feel that it is time for the Mental Health Trust Authority to manage their land responsibly and find healthy and sustainable ways to earn more money. They should not be allowed to sacrifice one community’s happiness, quality of life, and health (including mental health) in the pursuit of the almighty dollar. Before the MHT goes forward with their coal mining plans they should be required to prove there are clear and concise public benefits. We believe, much like what was shown by an analysis of the Chuitna coal project (http://inletkeeper.org/press-room/press-releases/chuitna-net-public-benefits-report), that coal mining has a low public benefit-cost ratio and that mining in Chickaloon would certainly cost more to the people of Alaska than it would benefit them.

Chickaloon Coal Full Steam Ahead

castlemountain — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:40:19 +0000

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Vivian Hamilton
907-334-2531 vivian.hamilton@alaska.gov

Alaska Mental Health Trust Offers Coal Lease in MatSu Valley

Development Expected To Produce Long-Term Revenue for Mental Health Programs

ANCHORAGE (October 7, 2011) – The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority today announced it is offering 11,487 acres for lease in the Matanuska Valley for coal exploration and development. The proposed lease could result in significant long-term revenue to support programs and services for beneficiaries of The Trust.

The single tract near Chickaloon is believed to contain high-quality bituminous coal. Rental payments and royalties from future mining on the land will fund programs and services for Trust beneficiaries, who include people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chronic alcoholism and other substance-related disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, and traumatic head injuries that result in brain injury.

The lease offering is being managed on behalf of The Trust by the Mental Health Trust Land Office (TLO), a division within the Department of Natural Resources that is solely responsible for managing the nearly one million acres that make up the Alaska Mental Health Trust. Interested parties have until Dec. 16, 2011, to submit a lease application. A prospectus and application form can be found on the TLO website at www.mhtrustland.org The successful applicant will be announced no later than Dec. 30, 2011.

The public will have 30 days to make written comments regarding the lease offering. Comments should be directed to the TLO no later than 2 p.m., Nov. 7, 2011. Details about how to submit comments can be found at www.mhtrustland.org.

About the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (The Trust):
The Trust (www.mhtrust.org) is a state corporation that administers the Alaska Mental Health Trust, a perpetual trust managed on behalf of people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chronic alcoholism and other substance-related disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, and traumatic head injuries that result in brain injury. The Trust operates like a private foundation, using its resources to ensure that Alaska has a comprehensive integrated mental health program. Established in 1994 by the Alaska Legislature with one million acres of land and $200 million in cash, The Trust is managed by a seven-member Board of Trustees. Since its inception Trust cash assets have grown to approximately $480 million. Trustees annually budget approximately $26 million to support services and programs for Trust beneficiaries.

About the Mental Health Trust Land Office (TLO):
The TLO (www.mhtrustland.org) manages Trust land and its other natural resources on behalf of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. Revenue-generating uses of Trust land include leasing and sales of land; commercial timber sales; mineral exploration and production; coal, oil and gas exploration and development; and sand, gravel and rock sales.

click here: http://www.mhtrust.org/layouts/mhtrust/files/documents//MatSu%20Valley%20coal%20lease%20news%20release%2010_7_11.pdf

DeVilbiss pro-mining resolution for Wishbone Hill

castlemountain — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:26:25 +0000

URGENT ACTION

On Tuesday Mayor DeVilbiss will be introducing a resolution (11-112) for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to support an open pit coal strip mine at Wishbone Hill. Not only do 150 families live within one mile of the proposed coal mine, but studies show that property values throughout the Valley will drop. Your voice is urgently needed to tell the Mat-Su borough that this is no place for a coal strip mine! Click here to take send an email to Assembly Members.We also need you to attend the Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday September 6th, to make sure that this resolution does not pass. We are anticipating a large pro-mine crowd and we need to have a strong showing to protect our community! Meet us at the Friends of Mat-Su office before the meeting to get a “No Coal” T-Shirt and a sign to take to the meeting.

Where: FOMS Office at 308 E. Dahlia Ave in Palmer

When: Tuesday September 6 at 5:30pmBorough Assembly Meeting begins at 6pm ***Note that due to anticipation of a large crowd, the meeting will be held at the Palmer Depot.

What: Testify against Mayor DeVilbiss’ pro-coal mining resolutionPlease forward this email to your friends, family and neighbors!

Sincerely,

The Mat Valley Coalition

Chickaloon Coal is Next

castlemountain — Wed, 04 May 2011 03:55:34 +0000

This is an URGENT call to action.

1. Rally & Public Comment at Board of Trustees meeting in Anchorage May 10, 3pm.
2. Submit your personal Comments to the Board of Trustees with the online Form
3. Public Comments by teleconference May 10, 3:45 pm.

The Alaska Mental Health Land Trust is once again planning to lease lands in and around Chickaloon for coal development. According to the Trust Land Office, they have received unsolicited inquiries from multiple mining companies about the lands in Chickaloon. They are considering conducting a competitive lease offering for 11,486.68 acres. On Tuesday, May 10, the Trust Authority Board of Trustees will meet in Anchorage, and decide whether to proceed with this lease offering.

Join us for a rally & public comments in Anchorage at 3 pm, Tuesday May 10th.
Carpool from Vagabond Blues in Palmer leaves at 2pm. Call 746-0128 to coordinate.
In Anchorage meet 3 pm at: The Trust Authority Building 3745 Community Park Loop Anchorage, AK 99508

If you can not join us in Anchorage, please participate via teleconference or webex.
The May 10th meeting begins at 9am,
Resources committee reports on Chickaloon Coal Leases at 9:45 am,
public comment period is at 3:45 pm.
The Board meeting is two days. They may vote on the Chickaloon leases on Tuesday or Wed. May 11th.

Alaska Mental Health Land Trust lease area 5/2011

Glen Highway = purple line

Chickaloon river is visible intersecting the Glen and emptying into the Matanuska on the lower right hand corner of the map.

Proposed Coal Mine Affecting Nearby Properties

Mat Valley Coalition — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:05:25 +0000

Lenders Deny Loans For Property Owners Near Wishbone Hill Follow this link to read the KTUU news story online. Friday, April 22nd on the 5 o’clock news, Lori Tipton reported on home owners in the Buffalo Soapstone Mine Road area near Wishbone Hill, just outside of Palmer who are already feeling the impacts of the …

Take Action to Protect Our Property Values and the Health of our Families

Mat Valley Coalition — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:05:03 +0000

Click Here to Tell DEC to protect our families and property values by denying Usibelli Coal Mine Company’s dangerous air permit application.

LINK TO www.MatValley.org/action-air

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is considering issuing an air permit allowing Usibelli Coal Mine company to operate an open pit coal strip mine in the middle of our communities.

Our property values and the health of our families are at stake. Common sense says that it is unhealthy to live near coal mines. No one wants dirty coal dust in the air, constant blasting and over 100 coal trucks each day in their neighborhood. Property values and public health will suffer if DEC approves this air permit.

Tell DEC to protect our families and property values by denying Usibelli Coal Mine Company’s dangerous air permit application.

See a coal blast in slow motion at the Usibelli Coal Mine web site. The dust and other air pollutants from this project will impact the entire Matanuska Valley.

Your Actions are Needed Today! Comments Are Due by May 11th.

Tell DEC to protect our families and property values by denying Usibelli Coal Mine Company’s dangerous air permit application.

To submit written comments contact Sean Lowther with the Department of Environmental Conservation

fax: 907-269-7508,

email: sean.lowther@alaska.gov

mail: ADEC Air Permits Program, 619 E. Ship Creek Avenue, Ste 249, Anchorage, AK 99501-1677