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Home My WebLink AboutUTBB Letter to Nushagak Cooperative May 26, 2020 May 26, 2020 Robert Himschoot CEO & General Manager C/O Board of Directors PO Box 350 Dillingham, AK 99576 Nushagak Cooperative Dear Mr, Himschoot, We hope this letter finds you and your staff well and healthy. On behalf of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay (UTBB) Board of Directors, I would like to address a few of the significant concerns we have regarding Nushagak Cooperative’s progress with the Nuyakuk Hydroelectric Project. As currently proposed, the Nuyakuk River Hydroelectric Project lacks the critical scientific research methodology and rigorous study plans to adequately assess the project's environmental impacts, including impacts on fish, subsistence activities, and the health of Bristol Bay's wild salmon returns. Nushagak Cooperative's project proposal continues to move through the licensing process at a breakneck speed without adequate stakeholder engagement and communication throughout Bristol Bay's communities. Therefore, United Tribes of Bristol Bay has no choice but to oppose the project as currently proposed until a study plan and licensing process can be developed and conducted in a way that will provide a fully comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the project. As you may know, United Tribes of Bristol Bay represents 15 member tribes and over 80% of the region’s population. Our mission is to protect the traditional way of life of the indigenous people of Bristol Bay and to promote a sustainable future for our upcoming generations. While UTBB is not opposed to the development of clean and renewable resources to promote sustainable economic growth for the region, we take grave issue with the components of the current study plan and speed in which the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) is moving forward for the Nuyakuk River Hydro Electric Project at this time. Between inadequate public scoping meetings in late 2019, limited public engagement opportunity for the Study Plan and Revised Study Plan in spring of 2020, a far too heavy reliance on desk-top analysis of critical fish habitat, migration, and resources as proposed in the Study Plan, and an unwillingness to slow down or halt this process due to the major global, national, state-wide, and local disruptions caused by factors outside of our control, there is no doubt that this process and project as currently proposed is inadequate and irresponsible. We request that Nushagak Cooperative temporarily suspend their progress and activity with the Integrated Licensing Process hosted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for one year until local leadership and regional organizations can collaborate UTBB Headquarters: P.O. Box 1252 Dillingham, AK 99576 Phone: 907-842-1687 Fax: 907-842-1853 UTBB Member Tribes: Nondalton Tribal Council P.O. Box 49 Nondalton, AK 99640 Ph/Fax: 907-294-2257/ 907-294-2271 New Stuyahok Traditional Council P.O. Box 49 New Stuyahok, AK 99636 Ph./Fax: 907-693-3173/ 907-693-3179 Levelock Village Council P.O. Box 70 Levelock, Alaska 99625 Ph/Fax: 907-596-3434 / 907-596-3462 Curyung Tribal Council P.O. Box 216 Dillingham, Alaska 99576 Ph/Fax: 907-842-2384 / 907-842-4510 Ekuk Village Council P.O. Box 530 Dillingham, Alaska 99576 Ph/Fax: 907-842-3842 / 907-842-3843 Manokotak Village Council P.O. Box 169 Manokotak, Alaska 99628 Ph/Fax: 907-289-2067 / 907-289-1235 New Koliganek Village Council P.O. Box 5057 Koliganek, Alaska 99576 Ph/Fax: 907-596-3434 / 907-596-3462 Traditional Council of Togiak P.O. Box 310 Togiak, Alaska 99678 Telephone: 907-493-5003 Fax: 907-493-5005 Clarks Point Village Council P.O. Box 90 Clark’s Point, Alaska 99569 Ph/Fax: 907-236-1427 / 907-236-1428 Twin Hills Village Council P.O. Box TW Twin Hills, Alaska 99576 Ph/Fax: 907-525-4821 / 907-525-4822 Aleknagik Traditional Council P.O. Box 115 Aleknagik, AK 99555 Ph/Fax: 907-842-2080 / 907-842-2081 Portage Creek Village Council 1327 E. 72nd Unit B Anchorage, AK 99518 Ph/Fax: 907-277-1105 / 907-277-1104 Chignik Lake Traditional Council P.O. Box 33 Chignik Lake, AK 99548 Ph/Fax: 907-845-2212 / 907-845-2217 Pilot Point Tribal Council PO Box 449 Pilot Point, AK 99649 Ph/Fax: 907-797-2208 / 907-797-2258 Pedro Bay Village Council PO Box 47020 Pedro Bay, AK 99647 Ph/Fax: 907-850-2225 / 907-850-2221 2 with the Cooperative to develop a comprehensive, thorough, and rigorous study plan with appropriate stakeholder engagement. Bristol Bay’s people, culture, and economy depend upon a thriving, healthy, and diverse ecosystem, and deserve the highest standard of scientific review and thorough analysis for any proposed development project that may impact our way of life. Sincerely, Robert Heyano Board President United Tribes of Bristol Bay cc: Bristol Bay Native Association Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation Bristol By Housing Authority Bristol Bay Native Corporation Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Bryce Edgmon Alaska State Senator Lyman Hoffman