Healy Basin Gas License appeal to be heard in Alaska Supreme Court

Below see the content of our recent Press Release on the upcoming Supreme Court oral arguments in our appeal of the Healy Basin Gas License.  If you are in Anchorage this coming Wednesday, you are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Nancy Bale at 244-2510.

“On Wednesday, September 18, 2013, the Alaska Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Denali Citizens Council vs. the State of Alaska, an appeal of the gas exploration license the state granted to Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc., covering 208,000 acres of state lands in and around Healy, Alaska and bordering the NE boundary of Denali National Park and Preserve.

Denali Citizens Council (DCC) argues in the appeal that the State of Alaska failed to justify including residential areas and the wildlife rich, recreationally important and sensitive Stampede Townships in the license area.   The Council also argues that DNR did not keep its commitment to impose in the license strong mitigation measures to protect other uses and values of the areas covered by the license.

“We are not opposed to gas exploration in the Healy area,” said DCC Director Nancy Bale, “but as we’ve stated from the beginning any gas exploration must be sensitive to the residents of the area and to the natural values that make this such a great area in which to live and recreate.  DNR’s decision does not ensure that will be the case.”

Anchorage Attorney Peter Van Tuyn will present oral arguments for DCC. The hearing will be conducted at 1:30 PM at Boney Courthouse, 303 K. Street, Anchorage Alaska.”