The NewsRoom
Release: 4024
Date: August 14, 2009
MMS Awards Grant to Alaska to Assess Mining Risks
Provides Funding Through the Coastal Impact Assistance Program
ANCHORAGE
– The Minerals
Management Service (MMS) has awarded a $58,000 grant to the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game through the Coastal Impact Assistance
Program (CIAP) for a project to assess the risk of mining in the
Stikine River.
The assessment will document existing data specific to water quality
and sediments that may affect the various fish and wildlife
resources in the Stikine River, which is located approximately 25
miles north of Wrangell. This information will be used by the
department to review and evaluate proposals for hard-rock mines to
identify potential changes to aquatic habitats as a result of mining
activity.
“MMS is proud to partner with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
through the Coastal Impact Assistance Program on important projects
that will provide protection of our coastal area and its delicate
habitat,” said MMS Alaska Regional Director John Goll.
Alaska’s CIAP plan was approved by the Minerals Management Service
on September 30, 2008.
The CIAP was created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005
and provides $250 million in grants annually, from 2007-2010, to six
eligible Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas producing states –
Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, California, and Mississippi. The
total funding to Alaska includes $79.8 million fiscal years 2007
through 2010.
Contact:
Nicholas
Pardi
(202) 208-3985
MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior
Last Updated:
09/17/2010,
05:10 PM
Central Time
|