HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2012-03 BLM Lands Susitna ProjectMEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Directors
Alaska Energy Authority
FROM: Sara Fisher-Goad (' -• P. )
Executive Director {f)J~
DATE: May 3, 2012
SUBJECT: BLM Permit Application
ENERGY AUTHORITY
Resolution 2012-03 will provide authorization for the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to
file a federal land permit application for transportation and utility systems and facilities on
federal lands with the United States , Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management (BLM). A copy of the application is attached.
As part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC's) licensing process , the
license applicant must acquire sufficient interests in federal lands that are included within
the boundaries of the proposed project. The proposed boundaries of the Susitna
Watana Hydroelectric Project currently include federal land managed by BLM . AEA is
pursuing two paths to obtain sufficient interests in these federal lands .
First , the State of Alaska , Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has initiated
processes to acquire the federal lands from BLM under entitlements arising under the
Alaska Statehood Act. It is anticipated to take more than one year to complete .
Depending upon the project road and transmission corridors actually selected, the State
may not be eligible to obtain the entirety of the federal lands within the project
boundaries .
Second, AEA has filed with BLM an application for transportation and utility systems and
facilities on federal lands to initiate the BLM federal permitting process . This BLM
application requires the applicant to submit a Resolution approving the filing with BLM of
the application . Resolution 2012-03 satisfies this BLM requirement.
AEA intends to work collaboratively with DNR and BLM to obtain sufficient interests in
federal land necessary for the project in the most cost effective manner. As part of the
BLM permitting process , AEA must enter a cost reimbursement agreement to cover
BLM 's costs , with an estimated amount of $1 .5 -$2 mill ion . Amounts not necessary to
be expended by BLM will be returned to AEA.
Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2012 -03.
Attachment
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813 West Northern Li ghts Boulevard Anchorage, Alaska 99503 T 907.771.3000 Toll Free (Al aska Only) 888 .300 .8534 F 907 .771 .3044
ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-03
RESOLUTION OF THE ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY RELATING TO
AUTHORIZING THE FILING WITH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANGEMENT OF
AN APPLICATION FOR TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY SYSTEMS AND
FACILITIES ON FEDERAL LAND
WHEREAS, the Alaska Energy Authority (the "Authority") is pursuing licensing by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) of the Susitna Watana Hydroelectric Project;
WHEREAS, the proposed project boundaries of the Susitna Watana Hydroelectric
Project includes certain federal lands in the areas that will become the project reservo ir area,
and that are being considered for road and transmission line corridors ;
WHEREAS, the federal lands located within the proposed project boundaries are
managed by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM);
WHEREAS, the FERC licensing process requires the license applicant to acquire from
BLM as the land managing agency interests in federal lands located within the proposed project
boundaries;
WHEREAS, to ensure timely acquisition of sufficient interests in federal lands associated
with the project, in addition to other activities, the Authority has filed with BLM an application for
transportation and utility systems and facilities on federal lands to initiate the BLM federal
permitting process;
WHEREAS , BLM requires permit applicants to file a resolution authorizing the applicant
to file with BLM the application for transportation and utility systems and facilities on federal
lands.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Executive Director of the Authority is authorized , directed , and
empowered to file with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, an
application for transportation and utility systems and facilities on federal lands.
Section 2 . The Executive Director of the Authority is authorized and empowered to take
any and all actions appropriate and consistent with this Resolution.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval .
DATED at Anchorage , Alaska , this 1Oth day of May, 2012 .
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ATTEST · ,. '·. -·
[SEAL]
Secretary
AEA Resolution No. 2012-03
Chair
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