Should we prioritize transportation or the environment?
Bill Summary
This bill would allow the State of Alaska to give up 43,093 acres in exchange for 206 acres of federal land the community needs to build an 11-mile, one-lane road to the neighboring village of Cold Bay. The bill states that the exchange of the federal and nonfederal lands and the road to be constructed under this bill shall not constitute a major federal action requiring environmental impact review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
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Opponents say
• Rep. Colleen Hanabusa argues: “A good neighbor develops community and it means looking out for everyone on your block, not just the house on the other side of the fence. Disrupting the ecosystem of the Izembek wilderness could have global impacts of significant waterfowl and wildlife species, many of which are important subsistence species for Alaska Natives.”
• Myron Naneng, former head of the Association of Village Council Presidents, states: "After all of the years and many sacrifices made to conserve waterfowl species and habitat, the people of the Y-K Delta do not want and cannot afford the inevitable resulting degradation to sensitive waterfowl habitat.”
• Myron Naneng, former head of the Association of Village Council Presidents, states: "After all of the years and many sacrifices made to conserve waterfowl species and habitat, the people of the Y-K Delta do not want and cannot afford the inevitable resulting degradation to sensitive waterfowl habitat.”
Proponents say
• This legislation is an important step to ensuring the people of King Cove have safe and reliable transportation during medical emergencies," said Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who introduced the bill. "It's appalling that this fight has taken decades, but I'm extremely optimistic that under the current administration we can finally resolve this issue and facilitate the construction of this 11-mile, life-saving road from King Cove to Cold Bay.”
• “We’re [continuing] to live on borrowed time with our transportation access problem,” Della Trumble from King Cove told the House members. “This is not an industrial issue. There is no mine, oilfield or industrial use behind this bill. It’s simply a need for safe access between the two communities.”
• “We’re [continuing] to live on borrowed time with our transportation access problem,” Della Trumble from King Cove told the House members. “This is not an industrial issue. There is no mine, oilfield or industrial use behind this bill. It’s simply a need for safe access between the two communities.”
