State regulators are meeting in Aniak this evening to discuss the proposed terms of a permit for the Donlin Gold project’s water and waste management permits. It’s the first of three such meetings scheduled by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The other two will be in Bethel and Anchorage later this month.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Aniak Community Center, the meeting will start with a discussion of the permit process with representatives from DEC like Allan Nakanishi. Nakanishi says that the questions and answers will be followed by an opportunity for people to make comments and raise issues on the permits.
“The second part is a more formal hearing,” said Nakanishi. “The purpose of the hearing is to gather verbal public comment about the proposed permit decision.”
Residents of the Y-K Delta region have until February 13to submit comments on the proposed Donlin Gold Mine permits. They can also request additional public hearings be held before the February 13 deadline.
The next public comment meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on January 23at the Bethel Cultural Center.