Dam in Alaska sees delays due to Native land access issues

Wednesday, January 8, 2014  

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R) has cut funding for a $5 billion dam project due to trespass issues raised by Native corporations.

Contractors for the Alaska Energy Authority repeatedly accessed corporation-owned lands without permits in 2012, The Anchorage Daily News reported. Some construction occurred on Native land without permission, the paper said.

The corporations formed the Cook Inlet Region Native Landowner Working Group and sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to discuss trespass, health and safety and other concerns. FERC will be making a decision on the license for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project.

In light of the concerns, Parnell has reduced funding for the project in the coming year by 90 percent. And the Alaska Energy Authority has already asked FERC for more time to respond to a progress report.

Get the Story:
Governor cuts funding to Susitna dam over problems with Native land access (The Anchorage Daily News 1/7)
Cook Inlet ANCs Express Concern Over Dam Study Result Requirements (KTNA 11/15)