Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: SEC Executive Director Shelly Wright 907-523-4351

July 21, 2009

Southeast Conference strongly urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement the recent June 22, 2009 Supreme Court Decision

Southeast Conference strongly urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement the recent June 22, 2009 Supreme Court decision and fully reinstate the Permit issued by the Corps for the Kensington Mine Project Lower Slate Lake tailings facility and fill work for other Mine components, as the environmentally preferable, practicable plan for the Mine.

Board President Mike Korsmo said, "The Kensington Mine will play a vital role in supporting our regional economy. With a struggling timber industry and a fluctuating fishing industry, mining can fill a vital role supporting high paying jobs and increasing tax bases for communities. The Kensington has supported training and local hire from our Native population and local communities. Local contractors and suppliers will benefit from a full operating mine and its needs. Coeur Alaska deserves the opportunity to show that they can operate the Kensington Mine in an environmentally safe manner and sustainable manner."

The Supreme Court has ruled the Kensington permits valid and the 9th Circuit has also lifted the injunction against Kensington. Southeast Conference Executive Director, Shelly Wright said, "In our opinion there is no reasonable condition for further delay of these desperately needed jobs. A delay would only cause further unnecessary and prolonged financial hardship on our Alaskan families and their communities".

Coeur Alaska has gone above and beyond to assure the citizens of SE Alaska that the environmental impact will be minimal and that sufficient safeguards are in place to avoid any unintended environmental impacts. Now is the time for citizens, businesses, communities and Tribes to communicate their support for Coeur by writing to Colonel Reinhard W. Koenig, District Commander, U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska at P.O. Box 6898, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, 99506-0898.

Southeast Conference is a membership based non-profit organization that represents businesses, tribes, and residents of Southeast Alaska.