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DNR Enforceable Standards
January 17: Official backs Mat-Su methane rules
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin is standing behind the enforceable standards for developing coal bed methane resources in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Irwin approved the regulations Dec. 13. They were created over a year with public input in response to public concern that potential methane development would harm private property and drinking water.
Irwin by letter Wednesday notified a list of people, including Mat-Su Borough and Homer residents, representatives of the borough and of Friends of Mat-Su and the Kachemak Bay Property Owners Alliance.
Irwin wrote that he reviewed requests that he and DNR staff reconsider the enforceable standards he approved Dec. 13. He wrote that their requests had been reviewed, but he found reconsideration unnecessary.
Irwin's decision is a final administrative order, and any further appeals must be made through Alaska Superior Court.
Mat-Su Borough Planning director Murph O'Brien said the borough is still reviewing DNR's enforceable standards and his department has concerns about three items. They'd like to see additional public notice requirements, larger setback requirements for development and additional guarantees that water quality be preserved.
"Obviously, there are some differences to be worked out," O'Brien said, adding that the borough will address those differences through ongoing discussions with DNR staff.
Dec 13: Today, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources released the "Enforceable Standards for Development of State Owned Coalbed Methane Resources in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough." The enforceable standards represent the culmination of a year-long public process that included substantial public input, including eight public meetings. ADNR devoted significant staff time to respond to the concerns raised by residents of the Mat-Su Borough. The enforceable standards establish requirements on such topics as setbacks from residences, noise limits, disclosure of fracturing materials, negotiating surface use agreements, pipeline design, public access, removal of facilities, and rehabilitation of impacted lands.
In conjunction with the enforceable standards, ADNR also released the "Response to Comments on the Public Review Draft." This document provides specific responses to the over 1000 individual comments received on the public review draft of the enforceable standards.
The enforceable standards and response to comments can be viewed on-line on the ADNR, Division of Oil and Gas web site (www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us). A printed copy can also be viewed at the following locations: the Anchorage (Loussac), Big Lake, Palmer, Sutton, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Wasilla, and Willow public libraries, and the Mat-Su Borough Office.
A person affected by this decision may request reconsideration, in accordance with 11 AAC 02. Any reconsideration request must be received by January 3, 2005 and may be mailed or delivered to Tom Irwin, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1400, Anchorage, Alaska 99501; faxed to 1-907-269-8918, or sent by electronic mail to dnr_appeals@dnr.state.ak.us If reconsideration is not requested by that date or if the commissioner does not order reconsideration on his own motion, this decision goes into effect as a final order and decision on January 13, 2005. Failure of the commissioner to act on a request for reconsideration within 30 days after issuance of this decision is a denial of reconsideration and is a final administrative order and decision for purposes of an appeal to Superior Court. The decision may then be appealed to Superior Court within a further 30 days in accordance with the rules of the court, and to the extent permitted by applicable law. An eligible person must first request reconsideration of this decision in accordance with 11 AAC 02 before appealing this decision to Superior Court. A copy of 11 AAC 02 may be obtained from any regional information office of the Department of Natural Resources.
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin is standing behind the enforceable standards for developing coal bed methane resources in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Irwin approved the regulations Dec. 13. They were created over a year with public input in response to public concern that potential methane development would harm private property and drinking water.
Irwin by letter Wednesday notified a list of people, including Mat-Su Borough and Homer residents, representatives of the borough and of Friends of Mat-Su and the Kachemak Bay Property Owners Alliance.
Irwin wrote that he reviewed requests that he and DNR staff reconsider the enforceable standards he approved Dec. 13. He wrote that their requests had been reviewed, but he found reconsideration unnecessary.
Irwin's decision is a final administrative order, and any further appeals must be made through Alaska Superior Court.
Mat-Su Borough Planning director Murph O'Brien said the borough is still reviewing DNR's enforceable standards and his department has concerns about three items. They'd like to see additional public notice requirements, larger setback requirements for development and additional guarantees that water quality be preserved.
"Obviously, there are some differences to be worked out," O'Brien said, adding that the borough will address those differences through ongoing discussions with DNR staff.
Dec 13: Today, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources released the "Enforceable Standards for Development of State Owned Coalbed Methane Resources in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough." The enforceable standards represent the culmination of a year-long public process that included substantial public input, including eight public meetings. ADNR devoted significant staff time to respond to the concerns raised by residents of the Mat-Su Borough. The enforceable standards establish requirements on such topics as setbacks from residences, noise limits, disclosure of fracturing materials, negotiating surface use agreements, pipeline design, public access, removal of facilities, and rehabilitation of impacted lands.
In conjunction with the enforceable standards, ADNR also released the "Response to Comments on the Public Review Draft." This document provides specific responses to the over 1000 individual comments received on the public review draft of the enforceable standards.
The enforceable standards and response to comments can be viewed on-line on the ADNR, Division of Oil and Gas web site (www.dog.dnr.state.ak.us). A printed copy can also be viewed at the following locations: the Anchorage (Loussac), Big Lake, Palmer, Sutton, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Wasilla, and Willow public libraries, and the Mat-Su Borough Office.
A person affected by this decision may request reconsideration, in accordance with 11 AAC 02. Any reconsideration request must be received by January 3, 2005 and may be mailed or delivered to Tom Irwin, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1400, Anchorage, Alaska 99501; faxed to 1-907-269-8918, or sent by electronic mail to dnr_appeals@dnr.state.ak.us If reconsideration is not requested by that date or if the commissioner does not order reconsideration on his own motion, this decision goes into effect as a final order and decision on January 13, 2005. Failure of the commissioner to act on a request for reconsideration within 30 days after issuance of this decision is a denial of reconsideration and is a final administrative order and decision for purposes of an appeal to Superior Court. The decision may then be appealed to Superior Court within a further 30 days in accordance with the rules of the court, and to the extent permitted by applicable law. An eligible person must first request reconsideration of this decision in accordance with 11 AAC 02 before appealing this decision to Superior Court. A copy of 11 AAC 02 may be obtained from any regional information office of the Department of Natural Resources.