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West Susitna Access Road Project

by | Jul 23, 2024 | blogs, Clean Water, Cook Inlet, Energy & Alaska, Healthy Habitat, Local Economies, Mining

As proposed, the 23-mile West Su Access Road would cut across significant salmon systems, including the Susitna and Little Susitna rivers, to access State lands planned for resource development.
Proposed West Su Road mas as of July 2024 with culverts

West Susitna Access Road Project

— Sue Mauger

UPDATE (8/19/2024):

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has refused to extend the short 30-day comment period beyond August 23rd, so NOW it’s time to submit your comments about this industrial road project!

You can submit comments online: https://westsuaccess.com/comments/

or by email: comments@westsuaccess.com

or through the “Defend the West Su” portal at: https://westsuwild.org/take-action

or through the Susitna River Coalition portal at: https://www.susitnarivercoalition.org/westsuscopingcomment

The key points Cook Inletkeeper is making in our comment letter include:

–   Conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – not just a Environmental Assessment

–   In the EIS include both the Department of Transportation’s proposed “recreational road” which is just the first portion of the much larger – private mining access road that AIDEA (Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority) has waiting in the wings.

–   The cost estimates for just the bridge over the lower Susitna River is way too low and will ultimately cost Alaskans critical funds needed for education, existing road maintenance, and community services.

Thank you for raising your voice to help ensure the West Su region remains a stronghold for world class fishing, hunting and recreational opportunities for Alaskans. 

_ _ _

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has opened a public comment period for the first 23 miles of the West Susitna Access Road (Industrial Corridor) Project as they launch into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The public comment period runs from July 23 through August 23, 2024.

As proposed, the 100+ mile West Su Access Road would cross over 150 streams, slice through wilderness, and forever change the West Susitna area. The first segment of this industrial corridor – the first 23 miles – will impact significant salmon systems, including the Susitna and Little Susitna rivers, to access State lands planned for resource development.

It is important to know that, despite AIDEA’s (Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority) attempts to market this as a public road, this half-a-billion dollar investment of public funding is to subsidize industrial gold mining at the end of the 100 mile road. This is a blatant giveaway to foreign mining corporations.

In addition to voicing many concerns about water quality and fish & wildlife habitat, Inletkeeper will be pressing for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than the bare-bones Environmental Assessment (EA) currently initiated through the NEPA process. And, of course, a 30-day public comment period during Alaskans’ busiest season is ridiculous. 

Check out https://westsuaccess.com/ to learn more about the project. And then, please comment on what concerns you about the project’s purpose and limited range of alternatives.

Two in person public meetings will be held as part of the scoping process:

Anchorage Meeting
Loussac Library, Atrium B
3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK 99503
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Matsu Meeting
Wasilla Public Library, Large Multi-Purpose
500 N Crusey Street, Wasilla, AK 99564
Thursday, August 15, 2024
3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

For those that cannot make the in-person meetings, there will be a virtual “Open House” on August 14 – 23, 2024. That can be accessed by seeing the project website at: https://westsuaccess.com

 

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