Palin-backed road on remote Alaska Peninsula passes Senate panel
Published Thursday, September 11, 2008
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!WASHINGTON-- A remote Alaska road supported by Gov. Sarah Palin cleared a Senate panel Thursday, angering environmentalists who say it is unnecessary.
The road would run through a federal wildlife refuge, linking the fishing village of King Cove, population 800, to an all-weather airport 25 miles north in Cold Bay. The road could cost as much as $30 million, though federal approval would not include any earmarks to pay for it.
Environmentalists have compared the project to Alaska's infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," a $400 million federally funded project that would have connected an island with 50 residents to the mainland. Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, initially supported the bridge but later killed it.
The bill approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday sets up a land swap. The federal government would allow the single-lane gravel road to be built over 206 acres of the 315,000-acre Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on the tip of the Alaska Peninsula. In exchange, the state would give about 62,000 acres of land to the federal government that would be added to Izembek, and the Alaska Peninsula Wildlife Refuge.
King Cove has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a lobbyist, public relations and trips to Washington in support of the bill. Local officials argue that the road is needed to get residents emergency medical care. King Cove is only reachable by air and water and is frequently buffeted by storms.
Palin wrote a letter in February 2007 to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, saying "The exchange will provide a long needed safe, dependable, and economic access for residents."
Mayor Ernest Weiss, in an e-mail sent to constituents before he boarded a flight back to Alaska from Washington on Thursday, said the bill's passage was "one huge step towards a road."
"There are still hurdles to cross, but this is a VERY exciting day for all of us," the e-mail read.
Environmentalists argue that the proposal is not necessary. In 1998, Congress approved $37.5 million to pay for a hovercraft and improvements to the town's health clinic.
"Their solution...would harm an internationally important wildlife area," said Evan Hirsche, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Hundreds of thousands of brants, small sea geese, stop at the refuge during the fall and spring migrations.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Stop the road, don't hurt the geese, please enough! go pick flowers somewhere else.
"Local officials argue that the road is needed to get residents emergency medical care. King Cove is only reachable by air and water and is frequently buffeted by storms."
So what?! There are other remote communities on the Alaska Peninsula that do not have road access and yet more scattered throughout the Aleutian Islands and around Alaska in similar circumstances. You do not build a road just because it can be done, and especially not through a wildlife refuge! Also, when saying that the road will only occupy 206 acres, they fail to mention that the impact will be much wider. The noise and dust from vehicles rumbling up and down the road daily will have a significant impact on the area's waterfowl.
Back To Alaska....your "Environ"MENTAL"ists tag and "I really wish that they would just go away!" statement are childlish. Much to your chagrin, I am sorry to report that there are tens of thousands of environmental activists across the U.S.A. working with many hundreds of environmental groups that represent tens of millions of citizens of this nation. They range from national organizations like the Sierra Club (1,300,000 plus) to local, grassroots organizations like Fairbanks own Northern Alaska Environmental Center (1,400 plus). They often work with local governments, industry and even hunters to find common ground on a myriad of issues. And we are concerned with issues in countries like China and have effected change, both by example of how we protect our own precious lands and also by working with them directly.
You are most likely disparaging folks you know and respect, Back_To_Alaska, and you have most likely enjoyed using public lands that were saved from development by us environ"MENTAL"ists!
Good day!
Pat you moved down south and lost your mind. The road ain't going to hurt squat! Yep there are lots of places that don't have roads so lets not build anymore.....
Been this way for most of the 25 years I lived in Alaska, mit, and I can assure you I am completely sane! And your basis for saying "the road ain't going to hurt squat"? You've read the environmental impact and other wildlife studies? And still refute the wildlife biologists and other experts involved? Please enlighten us!
And I see you know me personally but doubt you have the nerve to contact me and tell me who you are.
Sure I do Pat.... It's Tim and I will buy you lunch when you come up. Nope don't need to read the experts BS they are never going to say oh yea it won't hurt a thing! Go ahead and build it! I don't think your concerns should carry as much weight, as the residents of the village.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.