Proposed road to Ambler mining district faces fresh opposition along route

Opposition to the proposed ambler road continues to grow with many villages a long the corridor raising concerns and opposing the construction of the road.  The city of Bettles and the village of Evansville lie closest to the proposed road and have both passed resolutions against the construction of the road.   Alaska Dispatch reported that during a recent meeting …

Communities Ponder Pros and Cons of Road to Ambler

On June 25th and 26th 2014 a two-day AIDEA sponsored meeting was held in Kotzebue to discuss the proposed road to Ambler. Tribal and city representatives attended the meetings, including those from Bettles, Huslia, Hughes, Alatna, Evansville, Ambler, Kobuk, Shungnak, as well as members of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly and NANA and Maniilaq representatives from Kotzebue. NovaCopper president and …

Local Tribes and Cities Pass Resolutions Against the Proposed Road to Ambler

Tanana Chiefs Conference Resolution Number 2014-54 page 1: 2014-52 Opposing HB&&-1 Page 2: 2014-54 Opposing Road to Amber-1 Evansville Resolution Number 2014-01 EV Inc AMB resolution final Kobuk Resolution Number 2014-06 Kobuk Resolution2014-6 Bettles Resolution Number 2014-06 page 1: Bettles Resolution1 Page 2: Bettles Resolution2 Allakaket Resolution 2013-43 Allakaket Resolution  

Bettles City Council issues resolution opposed to Ambler Road

In February 2012, The Bettles City Council passed resolution 2012-5 in support of the road to Ambler, but in June the city rescinded the resolution after being petitioned by the vast majority of Bettles residents who oppose the road. Bettles mayor Richard Thorne and other council members were likely not aware that their constituents largely oppose the road when they …

DOT intends to "hit NEPA button" in fall of 2012

Ryan Anderson, project manager for the Ambler Road at the Alaska Department of Transportation, said at a briefing for the Alaska Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Areas that the DOT hopes to begin the permitting process for the road to Ambler in October of 2012.  This means that DOT will begin a scoping process as required by the National Environmental …

Governor Parnell legalizes asbestos-contaminated rock for use in AK roads

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell set a dangerous precedent this week by signing into law a bill that will allow naturally occurring asbestos to be extracted and used in construction projects around the state. The bill, which may be putting development and profits before public health, also protects construction companies that use the asbestos gravel from any future legal responsibility in utilizing the …

Naturally Occurring Asbestos Ok'd for Roads and Construction

May 2012 – Alaskan Governor Sean Parnell signed a bill into law that allows naturally occurring asbestos to be used in construction projects.  This bill also bars victims of asbestos related diseases, who have been exposed by mining or gravel contaminated with natural occurring asbestos, from seeking recovery.