00CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20(RES)                                                                         
01 Supporting the responsible development of mining in Juneau.                                                             
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03  WHEREAS the Alaska-Juneau Mine (A-J Mine) was one of the world's largest gold                                          
04 mines until it was closed during World War II; and                                                                      
05  WHEREAS Echo Bay Alaska, Inc., is in the process of evaluating the feasibility of                                      
06 reopening the A-J Mine and is seeking the necessary state and federal permits; and                                      
07  WHEREAS the City and Borough of Juneau, after a lengthy public hearing process,                                        
08 granted a large mine permit to Echo Bay Alaska, Inc., in April 1993 to enable the reopening                             
09 of the A-J Mine; and                                                                                                    
10  WHEREAS, since issuance of the large mine permit, the City and Borough of Juneau                                       
11 has assisted Echo Bay, Alaska, Inc., in meeting permit requirements and regulatory                                      
12 requirements of other agencies; and                                                                                     
13  WHEREAS the A-J Mine presents an opportunity for private economic development                                          
14 in the State of Alaska; and                                                                                             

01  WHEREAS private economic development will diversify the Juneau economy and                                             
02 provide economic benefits to the state in increased private sector employment and in increased                          
03 purchases of goods and services in the City and Borough of Juneau and throughout                                        
04 Southeastern Alaska; and                                                                                                
05  WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the efforts of Echo Bay Alaska,                                        
06 Inc., to reestablish this historic mining development; and                                                              
07  WHEREAS the public is best served when the governmental process is open and fair                                       
08 to all interests and concerns and the public is informed of all aspects of the project;                                 
09  BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages state and federal                                          
10 regulatory agencies to continue their timely and public review of the environmental effects of                          
11 the A-J Mine with appropriate diligence; and be it                                                                      
12  FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports responsible                                                
13 development of the A-J Mine in a manner that maintains Juneau's air and water quality                                   
14 standards and ensures the continued health and safety of the citizens of Juneau.                                        
15  COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to Echo Bay Alaska, Inc., the City and                                         
16 Borough of Juneau, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Alaska                                        
17 Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.