Rep. Andy Josephson's Newsletter

Over the past couple of weeks I have been in and out of the state attending conferences in the Seattle area. These conferences allow like-minded policy makers (and also those from opposing positions) to gather to discuss issues, strategies, and network with each other. I tried to organize my conference schedules so that they would all take place around the same time. This way I could spend more of my time here in Alaska.

The first conference I attended was hosted here in Anchorage by the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF). As a member of the House Natural Resources committee I am always looking for ways to educate myself and this conference had three full days of interesting topics ranging from state mining regulations to how federal regulations are created and adopted. I walked away knowing more about mining than I ever had before.

Following the RMMLF conference, I traveled to the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute (LEHI) in Richland, WA, sponsored by the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER). Also attending this conference was our own Senator Berta Gardner. This was my first time attending this conference, as it requires nomination and is quite popular among legislators, since PNWER pays for most of the events. At LEHI the focus is on energy, both non-renewable and renewable, and it offered great insight into what other states are doing to meet their energy needs. Topics included: electric power generation, transmission and distribution; rates of return; natural gas production, transmission and delivery; alternative fuels; natural gas vehicles; photo voltaics (solar energy); financing of energy projects; independent power producers; Canadian natural gas (tar sands); and smart grids.

After returning to Seattle from Richland, I attended two conferences back-to-back. The National Conference of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) and the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) took place from July 31 to August 6th. While attending NCSL I had the opportunity to attend a seminar on gun violence in America.While an ardent supporter of our 2ndAmendment, it’s self-evident that this important liberty comes at a great and tragic price for some. A reception following the event was attended by former US Representative Gabrielle Giffords (second from right), and her husband, astronaut Captain Mark Kelly (at right). It was a great honor to meet Mrs. Giffords, a person of incredible courage and strength. I wish her all the best.

Of the four conferences I found the NCEL was the most engaging for me. NCEL had many issues that interested me, including: the TransPacific and TransAtlantic Partnerhips; oil trains; Rule 111(d) Clean Power Plan rulemaking; micro beads (I carry legislation on this topic and recently spoke before an Alaska forum on this issue); state interference with federal public lands; the Toxic Substances Control Act amendments; aquatic invasive species; hydraulic fracturing; and sustainable built environments.

One of the proposed project that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) is working on is the Ambler Mining road, which would be located northwest of Fairbanks near the base of the Brooks Range. To date, the state of Alaska has invested $28 million on this project. The Ambler Mining District is an area with rich mineral resources, including copper, zinc, lead and gold. The area has been identified as a high-value resource area for many decades and exploration has occurred in several areas. But as is the case with many mining projects there are environmental, as well as local concerns that must be dealt with before any dirt can be moved.

My friend and local guide, PJ Simon, invited me up to the area so that he could show me around and introduce me to some of the local village officials. In total I spent three days touring the area where the road would be located and speaking to the locals who would be most affected by it. Most are opposed to the road as they believe that it will disrupt caribou migrations and put the local waters at risk because of the increased mining activity that would take place following the installation of the road. Currently the project is on hold at the behest of Governor Walker. The trip to PJ’s village (Allakaket) and surrounding area, gave me a real insight into the types of land that would be impacted by this project. As part of this trip, I joined PJ and two of his neighbors (one from the neighboring village of Alatna) on a subsistence hunt along the South Fork of the Koyukuk River. The party “caught” a black bear. I was impressed by the thoroughness with which every edible portion of the bear was retained and brought back to Allakaket.Additionally, the hunters showed great respect for the life given-up by the black bear, using ceremonial if not spiritual practices in the capture.