Deadline for Public Comment 11/4
On August 2nd, 2019 The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas released a document entitled Gulf of Alaska Oil and Gas Exploration License Preliminary Written Finding of Director in regards to Katalla and Controller Bay in the Gulf of Alaska. The normal thirty day public comment period regarding this license was extended by thirty days. That second thirty days ends on Monday, November 4th, 2019. Below is an edited version of a 10/24/19 press release from The Eyak Preservation Council, Copper River Delta Sound Waterkeeper affiliate, regarding this issue. (Click here for the KCHU story about local resident’s reaction to the project, aired 10/31/19)
October 24, 2019
Press Release
“…we are still living in the wake of the Exxon oil spill.”
Community Response Unanimous:
Local nonprofits and Cordovans Oppose Permitting
to Explore and Drill for Oil and Gas in Katalla and Controller Bay in the Gulf of Alaska
Click here to see the City of Cordova resolution
The Department of Natural Resources Preliminary Finding says the Application “in the State’s Best Interest”
CORDOVA, ALASKA.
The Alaska State Department of Natural Resources finding that drilling for oil and gas along the famed Copper River delta coastline, immediately adjacent to a State Critical Fish & Wildlife Habitat area, is in the State’s best interest is strongly opposed by the community and Area E fishermen.
“Cordova District Fishermen United has opposed oil and gas exploration and development along the northern Gulf of Alaska coastline . . . for over 30 years. The Copper River and Bering River districts are active commercial fishing grounds, and stakeholders include the 537 Area E gillnet permit holders who participate in the commercial fishery within both of these districts. Commercial fishing is at the core of our community, both economically and culturally, and consistently, Cordova ranks among the top fishing ports nationwide” wrote CDFU in a letter to the Cordova City Council.
The initial notice from the State was issued on August 2, 2019 to a small number of people in Cordova, Alaska who are on a specific email list served by the Department of Natural Resources:
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Oil and Gas (DO&G), gives notice, under AS 38.05.945(a)(6), that it has issued the Gulf of Alaska Oil and Gas Exploration License Preliminary Written Finding of the Director. The director has preliminarily found that issuing the Gulf of Alaska Oil and Gas Exploration License is in “…the state’s best interests”.
The public was given only 30 days to comment. Members of the community reached out to one another, and in unison, Cordova District Fishermen United, Copper River Watershed Project, Eyak Preservation Council, the Copper River / Prince William Sound Marketing Association and the Prince William Sound Audubon Society requested a 30-day extension. Now, the comment period has been extended to November 4, 2019.
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The Cordova City Council unanimously joined and passed a resolution on September 18th stating support for Area E salmon fisheries and in opposition to exploration or drilling for oil and gas in the Gulf of Alaska.
In addition to the local groups and the City Council uniting to protect Controller Bay and Katalla, individual Cordovans are also expressing concern.
“As a commercial fisherman born and raised in Cordova, the absolute worst weather we see is in the Controller Bay and Katalla area. The regularity of extreme weather events makes it impossible to safeguard our world class salmon habitat. The ocean is shallow and frequently is subject to high surf conditions for miles offshore. Under no circumstances should oil and gas permitting be allowed in this region. The last attempts of oil development in the 80’s have still not been cleaned up, and it is extremely concerning that there is even consideration of allowing the same company access to this area again.” Mike Mickelson-Cordova
Cassandra Energy Corporation has shown interest in oil drilling in Katalla since the 1980’s. Decaying buildings, drill sites and unlined oil pits from the failed forays remain at the site. Cassandra Energy was working with Alaska Crude Corporation, who went bankrupt and walked leaving the mess. Then, in the early 2000’s, Cassandra Energy attempted the permitting process numerous times again, with more rejections and failed attempts.
Strong regional opposition to oil and gas development in the sensitive salmon habitat of Controller Bay stretches back as long as Cassandra’s interest.
Eyak Native and commercial fisherman Dune Lankard confirms: “This entire area is of high cultural and historical significance to our Eyak people and the Tlingit and Chugach tribes who inhabited the region. For thousands of years Indigenous people thrived off the bounty of the wild food and wild salmon resources in Controller Bay and along the Gulf of Alaska all the way to Yakutat.”
“To sacrifice this sacred place that provides a subsistence and commercial fishing way of life for many, that is comparable to none, for an oil bonanza dream that is based on greed and exploitation that benefits just a few, would be a loss and mistake beyond belief, especially after what we are still living with in the wake of the Exxon oil spill,” Lankard further stated.
The public comment deadline is 5PM AK Nov. 4, 2019.
Comments can be sent to the Department of Oil and Gas via email: dog.bif@alaska.gov or mail: Best Interest Findings, 500 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1100, Anchorage, AK 99501
If you are interested in the history of Oil and Gas exploration in Alaska, here’s a link to a Department of Interior Preliminary Report on Oil in Alaska, dated 1921.
