An environmental group, the Susitna River Coalition, is voicing concerns over a proposal to open up 1.5 million acres of state land for oil and gas exploration in the Susitna Valley.
State officials have not to date named the applicant for the license.
All comments on the proposed sale were due on June 23.
The proposed lease area extends north to Trapper reek, west past Skwentna, and east to Willow. Both the Yentna and Susitna rivers lie within this area, and the coalition contents the such development poses potential threats to surrounding habitat and waterways that provide $200 million annually through tourism and recreation in the Susitna watershed. “Our members and our communities are dependent on the robust salmon runs and healthy habitat that support our livelihoods, providing food for our families and nurture out communities,” the coalition said in a statement June 16.
The state Department of Natural Resources announced on May 24 its intent to evaluate an oil and gas exploration license proposal for the Susitna Valley, with June 23 as the closing date for comments. According to DNR a successful license holder for this exploration would have the exclusive right to explore state land within the license area for deposits of oil and gas for up to 10 years. Before issuing an exploration license, however, the Division of Oil and Gas would have to determine that such an exploration license for this area is in the state’s best interests, DNR officials said.
