How the Tribal Response Program can get involved in the EIS Process

Transcription

1 How the Tribal Response Program can get involved in the EIS Process Patricia Yaska, Chuathbaluk Traditional Council Curarpaluk, Home of the Big Blueberries

2 A little about myself Grew up in the Middle Kuskokwim River area, Aniak & Chuathbaluk I love to live off the land that provides for us berry picking, moose hunting, wild root harvesting, beaver hunting in the fall and spring, and of course, fishing! I enjoy taking boat rides, my kids love to swim, and hikes to the mountains behind Chuathbaluk. I have been involved in the TRP for 2 years.

3 About the Chuathbaluk Traditional Council Two (2) Current members were members of the original council that helped form the CTC in the 1960 s Incorporated in 1979 Mission Statement: The Chuathbaluk Traditional Council s mission is to provide friendly & quality services for our Tribal members and community; to preserve & enrich our cultural heritage; and support our continuous subsistence activities while protecting our lands.

4 Kuskokwim River Aerial view of Chuathbaluk

5 The Chuathbaluk Tribal Response Program We are in Year 5 of funding Challenges: Multiple turnovers in the TRP, CTC Administration, and the Council itself low public participation, lack of understanding of what the TRP does

6 The Chuathbaluk Tribal Response Program Biggest Success: Getting involved in the Donlin Gold Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Process We get a first hand look at the environmental impacts that the Proposed Donlin Gold mine will have in our area, and we are able to help say what they can do to prevent or minimalize the impact

7 Before we dig in, we are going to talk about Donlin Gold, what is it? The Environmental Impact Statement Process Becoming involved as a Cooperating Agency

8 What is Donlin Gold? Donlin Gold is one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world. Reserves estimated at 33.8 million ounces of gold. Mining operations would last approximately 27+ years Started off as a project in the 1980 s, it was known as Donlin Creek. Sits on The Kuskokwim Corporation (Village) and Calista Corporation (Regional) Land. Source:

9 Distance from Chuathbaluk to the Donlin Gold Project Site Map Courtesy of : Google Earth

10 What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)? An EIS is a decision making process that allows for a full review of public concerns about a proposed project, for example, the Donlin Gold project. A federal agency, like the United States Army Corps of Engineers, prepares the EIS, so that decision-makers, (people of YK Region) have a complete picture of the benefits, and potential environmental risks before approving a project. Source:

11 What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)? Continued The EIS is developed with input from governments, so it is the tribal government that sits with state and federal agencies. The EIS provides opportunities for Tribes and Local Residents/Communities to voice their concerns and to understand the potential effects of the proposed project

12 What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)? Continued The Public have 3 places to get to have their voices heard: 1. Public Scoping When the public says what they want included in the environmental analysis 2. Public comments on the draft EIS 3. Public comment on the final EIS

13 Donlin Gold Project, Draft EIS Review Meeting, Aniak, AK, January Hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Photo Credit: Dave Cannon

14 Donlin Gold Project, Draft EIS Review Meeting, Aniak, AK, January Hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Photo Credit: Dave Cannon

15 Donlin Gold Project Draft EIS Review Meeting, Aniak, AK January Hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Photo Credit: Dave Cannon

16 Residents from Aniak & Chuathbaluk participating in a workshop called Understanding the Donlin Gold DEIS & Writing Effective Comments. Photo Credit: Dave Cannon

17 An Example of the EIS Process Source:

18 Here is the first draft of the NEPA Process Timeline that was released to the public in December Draft EIS, Released December, 2015 Review & Commenting, December 2015 May 31 st, 2016 Latest Update on Release, Early 2018 Latest Updated on ROD, May 2018 Source: Donlin Gold EIS, Newsletter #1

19 The Cooperating Agency Process The Tribe has the opportunity to become involved as a cooperating agency by invite from the federal agency, the United States Army Corps of Engineers. 1. The Tribe is contacted 2. Tribes sign a Memorandum of Understanding 3. Tribes comment on EIS-Related material Comment on baseline studies, proposed project alternatives, and impacts Suggest studies and alternatives Set up off-agenda tribal only collaboration calls 4. Tribes can maintain a pro, against, or neutral position

20 The Cooperating Agency Process, cont d. Cooperating Agency Status Regular meetings with several agencies Opportunity to suggest new studies, like on specific fish or specific places Early opportunity to inform agencies of information that is incorrect See internal information as the EIS is being developed. Helpful in understanding the reasons behind the material in the EIS

21 The Cooperating Agency Process, cont d Tribes are cooperating agencies because they have special expertise but they may request technical assistance 1. Chuathbaluk contacted a technical consultant 2. Consultants can Provide guidance on important sections of the EIS Draft comments to submit after tribal council approval Have their own expertise to help tribes understand impacts 3. Tribes need to fund the consultant A non-profit consultant firm can help find funding

22 The Cooperating Agency Process, cont d Looking over the EIS language and chapters Lots of material Lots of topics

23 How does all this relate to the TRP? Element 2, Oversight and enforcement authorities or other mechanisms and resources The TRP usually gets involved with mining, after the fact. After the contamination is there, and needs to be remediated. Getting involved in a mining project EIS, as a cooperating agency, the TRP coordinator is able to be involved in the decision making process in order to try to prevent a future brownfield and help protect human health and the environment.

24 How does all this relate to the TRP? The coordinator has the ability to: Comment on baseline studies, proposed project alternatives, and impacts Suggest studies and alternatives A lot of the material is very technical, and involves a lot of language that can be hard to read. It is also very time-consuming. Chuathbaluk hired a technical consult, Kendra Zamzow, of Center for Science in Public Participation (CSP2), to assist reviewing and commenting on EIS material provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

25 A little about Kendra Grew up in California and Alaska Worked in commercial fishing and occasionally ran sled dogs. In I went back to school. PhD in Environmental Chemistry. I have been working with CSP2 since then (10 years). I now live in Chickaloon (Nay Dini Ah Nah) and am learning Ahtna Athabascan language (Ahtna kenaege )

26 CSP2 Assistance on the EIS Listen to and provide support for tribal knowledge and concerns Support tribal request for smelt and juvenile chinook studies Support tribal request for studies on stability of pit wall near creek Review material on barge wakes and provided memos to traditional council Bring unique expertise On water chemistry, geophysics, geology On other mining projects

27 CSP2 Assistance on the EIS, continued Invest time in review and comment, decreasing the time tribal government needs to invest Write letters and memos to tribal government as educational material on mining or specific topics in the EIS Where more information is needed Mine water treatment and tailings dams Mercury capture systems and related topics Meet with professional hydrologists and others and provide information to tribal government

28 Questions? Contact Information: Patty Yaska, Chuathbaluk Traditional Council Phone Kendra Zamzow, CSP2 Thank you!