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For contact information click here.
For a list of upcoming meetings click here.
What you can do:
If you are concerned about CBM occurring in Alaska, or your area,
there are a number of things you can do. It's important to remember that the
power to stop this lies in your hands - without every individual landowner
standing up and voicing their concerns, nothing will happen. If you are concerned,
it is up to you to stop it.
So what is the situation, and what can you do?
Over 35,000 acres have been leased in the Mat Su valley by Stormcat Energy and Forest Oil. Stormcat has announced they plan to begin development at the end of 2005. It's worth noting that Scott Zimmerman is the president of Stormcat Energy - he formerly worked for Evergreen Resources as Vice-President of Operations and Engineering.
A large portion of these leases are on Mental Health Trust lands. This is of concern because this means they are no longer under State Supervision, and there will be no Department of Natural Resources oversight. The regulations that are enforced by the state will not apply. Unfortunately, because this land borders private property, there can still be a tremendous impact to residents in the area.
The Borough CBM Ordinance will still apply, and the most effective thing citizens can do now is get in touch with your borough assembly representatives and ask them to ensure the borough oversees this operation. Ask who will be in charge of making sure these companies:
A) Know of the Ordinance and
B) Are, in fact, complying with it.
At this time, we don't know exactly how many acres or leased, or how many are on private property. Hopefully, this information will be available soon, and we will post it on this website as soon as it is.
WRITING:
Write letters to local newspapers, like the Frontiersman or Anchorage Daily News. The importance of this can't be overstated - it raises public awareness and motivates others to act. If you care about what is happening, please take the time to write, it doesn't have to be long. Just as importantly, write your representatives! They are in office to serve you.
For contact information go here.
So what is the situation, and what can you do?
Over 35,000 acres have been leased in the Mat Su valley by Stormcat Energy and Forest Oil. Stormcat has announced they plan to begin development at the end of 2005. It's worth noting that Scott Zimmerman is the president of Stormcat Energy - he formerly worked for Evergreen Resources as Vice-President of Operations and Engineering.
A large portion of these leases are on Mental Health Trust lands. This is of concern because this means they are no longer under State Supervision, and there will be no Department of Natural Resources oversight. The regulations that are enforced by the state will not apply. Unfortunately, because this land borders private property, there can still be a tremendous impact to residents in the area.
The Borough CBM Ordinance will still apply, and the most effective thing citizens can do now is get in touch with your borough assembly representatives and ask them to ensure the borough oversees this operation. Ask who will be in charge of making sure these companies:
A) Know of the Ordinance and
B) Are, in fact, complying with it.
At this time, we don't know exactly how many acres or leased, or how many are on private property. Hopefully, this information will be available soon, and we will post it on this website as soon as it is.
WRITING:
Write letters to local newspapers, like the Frontiersman or Anchorage Daily News. The importance of this can't be overstated - it raises public awareness and motivates others to act. If you care about what is happening, please take the time to write, it doesn't have to be long. Just as importantly, write your representatives! They are in office to serve you.
For contact information go here.