Comment Deadline for Ester Dome Mine Exploration Activity is May 8
Felix Gold mining company has recently filed for a permit to start exploration operations near the base of Ester Dome. (KUAC has a story on this HERE, starting at 4:05.)
The activity will impact trails on Ester Dome in the St. Patrick Road area. According to one knowledgeable trails advocate: “All activity appears to be planned south of Happy Creek. While not affecting the Singletrack, it is close by and does affect the trails on Happy Ridge. They address that on page 23 of the APMA.”
You can see a map of the planned exploration and prominent trails in the area HERE. Please note that while both the Ester Dome Singletrack Trails and the Equinox Marathon Trail (maps here of upper and lower portions of that section) have some protections, the Happy Ridge Trail (an informal name), like most trails on Ester Dome, does not have special trail protections. And some laws that protect public access to trails, such as RS2477, allow for use by large motorized vehicles or for trails to be turned into roads. Happy Ridge Trail may have RS2477 protections. I don’t know for sure either way.
Several people have posted about this activity on different Facebook pages, such as Fairbanks Trail Users, Ester Dome Singletrack Trails, and Ester Dome Recreational Users. People are alarmed and concerned about how the activity will affect trails and roads. I don’t have time to research this, but according to one poster, the permit asks for activity to start this summer and last until 2035, “including up to 100 drilling sites and use of 20,000 gallons of water per day from Happy Creek and a nearby pond.”
To help put things into perspective, Ester Dome has historically been an active mining area. However, over the years mining has died down and recreation has become more popular. Also, more residential homes have been built in the area. Nonetheless, the area is still legally open to mining. On the plus side mines give us jobs and add pay some local property taxes. On the down side, mining activity can be noisy at times, can impact local roads and trails, and can impact water resources. One thing is clear: If the exploration activity ultimately results in a mine, that will have a larger impact in the area.
How you can act
Comments are due May 8. Written comments, questions concerning this activity or requests to view the full application packet should be directed to Michael Ladouceur, Telephone (907) 451-2784; Fax: (907) 451-2703 or e-mail: dnr.fbx.mining@alaska.gov.
You can see the full permit application notice:
http://notice.alaska.gov/219388
Also see the note below about the Felix Gold event at the Noel Wien Library running through May, which may give people another way to act.
Treasure Creek Area Mine Activity
Felix Gold is also looking into developing a mine in the Treasure Creek area, north of Old Murphy Dome Road. The Treasure Creek Trail runs along a ridge in that area.
The company has a survey about the project. You can access it HERE. If you like the Treasure Creek Trail, make sure to let Felix Gold know that want to keep access to it.
Felix Gold will be hosting open hours throughout May at the Noel Wien Library where you can ask questions, fill out their community survey, and share your thoughts on their proposed projects. Find out more HERE. This was advertised regarding the Treasure Creek project, but you might be able to address the Ester Dome project, too.
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