Forest Service gives Kensington green light

The U.S. Forest Service has approved Coeur Alaska's plan for its Kensington underground gold mine in Southeast Alaska, releasing its record of decision Dec. 17 for the project's final supplemental environmental impact statement.

The EIS includes four different plans that were evaluated for the mine, which is about 45 miles north-northwest of Juneau in the Tongass National Forest, including Coeur's first development plan that was permitted in 1997.

Citing economic feasibility problems, Coeur changed its development plan and re-applied in 2001. Coeur's latest proposal moves the mine's facilities closer to Berners Bay, allowing the daily transport of workers and materials from Juneau by ferry across the bay.

The Kensington deposit, thought to contain approximately 1.9 million ounces of gold, will employ about 250 workers for at least 10 years, the company said

"Kensington will be one of the most significant resource development projects undertaken in Southeast Alaska in many years and demonstrates this administration's efforts to revitalize the economy of Alaska through responsible resource development," said Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski in a press release. "State and federal agencies have been working cooperatively to complete the EIS. The result is a thorough evaluation which clearly shows the mine can be developed with minimal effects on the environment."

ROD signed Dec. 9

The record of decision, signed by Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole on Dec. 9, approves a modification of Coeur's current plan of operations that includes elimination of tailings disposal along the Lynn Canal side of the Kensington Mine and sets the stage for disposal of tailings in Lower Slate Lake, pending issuance of permits by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency and Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

The governor's office said the EIS will be used to "guide state and federal agencies as they finish the permitting process. Agencies are expected to make decisions on the issuance of mine permits in the coming months. The state will continue to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Marine Fisheries Service to resolve any remaining concerns they have over permitting issues."

The Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game prepared the EIS.

According to a Dec. 18 story in the Juneau Empire, the Forest Service's decision was "panned" by environmentalists, who said they will continue to fight the Kensington project.

Kat Hall, a grassroots organizer for the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, was quoted as saying, "This project is a long way from being a done deal."

Opponents of the project have 45 days from the date the first legal notice about the decision is published to appeal the Forest Service's decision.