DCC comments on NEON research site permit
It has been a couple of years since the National Ecological Observatory Network proposed a monitoring station on Alaska public land in open tundra about 3/4 of a mile from the Stampede Road, mile 5.7. Local citizens, aware of the high importance of this land as wildlife habitat and for dispersed public recreation, held several meetings with NEON personnel and state natural resource managers to discuss areas of concern. Because the site was planned to be temporary, locals desired that it leave a minimal footprint. In addition, initial proposals to provide overhead power or bring a powerline corridor through the Panguingue Creek subdivision were widely opposed. In response to these concerns, NEON made a few changes and they were incorporated into a permit request to the state of Alaska for a 10-year lease and public easement. The comment period ended on February 19th. DCC submitted comments, which can be read at the link below. We supported a buried utility line traveling up the Stampede Road and then buried to the site, minimally damaging boardwalk material, and complete reclamation with adequate monitoring.
NEON lease-easement permit – DCC comments-Feb 19, 2013
For more information on the ecological monitoring program of NEON Inc., click the following link.
http://www.neoninc.org/science/domains
