HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA1585' '
•,.
''
. ' ·~ •' \
. Prepared by:
. Divisiol~-ol Ene~gy al"d ?oviH~r De ~~~lop 1;nenc
' '1
· Departrr.ent of Con1rle;c 'c:' and ':r.ono n-Jic; Deuf.>IC\prr-•ènt
, ',. , , ' ,' S tt-:t€1 ·:-1 ll.laSk'l 1 :
'i'
l?r·cpf:·rr,J ior:
neyiooal lmpaGtS Dtv k•l·:>ll
Office of r:rw~romnent~l A~!;n •,:,;n·~,r,:
, , ~ Ll ~3. D -e p;~rt •l l"!qt -~f SN1 >'9Y ~. . . . .
· ÜnC:er ·f:i;ntrë..7t i \Tdi3-f'TV'l.J•i0 :!
''
,,
l -.;, '!'
{,li •
'/) /~ ~ . ,.
i ~ • ' ':'
'l ,.._,.,.,_,
1 1 r
,,
1 .,
.~~---------------------------~-
'\
\,~
___ ,
"""' 0')
N
ln co
M
0
0
0
ln
ln r--
M
M
ALASKA REGIONAL ENERGY RE$0URCES
PLANNING PROJECT
PHASE 2
COAL, HYDROELECTRIC AND ENERGY ALTERNATIVES
VOLUME I
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT ANALYSIS
Prepared
by
Gene Rutledge
Darlene Lane
Greg Edblom
ALASKA DIVISI0N OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT
Donald Lyon, Project Manager
-~ Clarissa Quinlan, Director
U. S. Department of Energy Contract #AT06-77EV73002
s. P. Mathur, Project Officer
1980 ARLIS
\1
\!.
Alaska Resources
Library & Information Services
Anch-' .,ç--Alaska
-fi';" dilt4 ......_,,------------------------------------------------
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by the United
States Government. Neither the United States nor the United States
Oepartment of Energy, nor any of thei r employe es, nor any of thei r
contractors, subcontractors, or their employees make any warranty,
expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for
the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, apparatus,
product, or process disclosed or represents that its use would not
infringe privately~owned rights .•
ii
l
/
VOLUME I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
VOLUME II
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
VOLUME III
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
ALASKA REGIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES
PLANNING PROJECT
PHASE 2
COAL, HYOROELECTRIC AND ENERGY ALTERNATIVES
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT ANALYSIS
Introduct,ion
Social Éffects and Management Alternatives
Beluga Coal Field L icenses and Pennits
Land Tenure
Coal Technology
Transportation
Environnental Assessment of the Beluga Goal Field
HYDROELECTRIG DEVELOPMENT
Introduction to Al as kan Hydroel ectric Oevel opment
Restrictions and Requirements Affecting the Construction
of a Hydroelectric Facility
Hydro.electric Technol ogy
Envi ronmental Impact of Hydroe1 ectrtc Oevel opme nt
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Introduction
Very Small Hydropower
Geothennal
Wind
Fuel Cells
Wood Residues
Waste Heat
Siting Criteria
REGIONAL ASSESSMENT INVENTORY UPOATE
Identification and Assessment Programs
iii
·cONTENTS
VOLUME I
BELUGA COAL OISTRICT·ANALYSIS
LIST OF FIGURES ..•......... •··· ... ; ... _ ... _ ....••...... ._ .. ,_.,. . • . . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . • • • . ~~i'
LIST OF TABLES ........... _ •••••.••.•.• _.: •• •:•.•·· ........ ;·. •··'• .•• ' ••.. ·.'., ...••• .., . • ~X_i<i':,
FOREWORD ••.•• ,_ •••••.•• -··-•.••.. • ••.• ·~ •.•.••.••••••• , •.•• _. _ •. _._ •••• ,. • • • • • • • • • • • .•. • •. • xv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .. ~ ................................................. . xvi
Chapter
1 INTRODUCTION ........... oll ••• •· • • ............... " • .._ .•••••••••••••• 1-t··
2 SOCIAL EFFE.CTS AND MAN·AGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
Develapment Scenarto.s, •••.•••.•••••••••• , .•.•• :. • • • • • • • . • • • . • 2:-1
I. n.trod,ucti on· •• • •••••.•••••.•.••••••••.•••••• ·-•••• '... •. • • • • 2-1 sac kg.round o:a ta· .................... " •••• -.. ·'" •.•••.•.•• · 2:-·2: '
' J .,.,
First Scenario: Coal~fired Ge'neratirtg Plants . . • .... z~:G ...
Se<;ond Scenario: Coal Expo·rting • • • . • • . • . .. • . • .. .. • . 2-9 ·~
Third Scenario: Generatfng Plants and Goal Exporting 2-11
Key Factors Affecting Beluga [}evel opment • ; •.•.•..•••• 2..;13
References: De\,lelopment Scenarios • • • . . • • • • • . • • . . • . . 2-16
Regional Sodoeconomi c Impacts
lnt.roduction ...................... ,· .... ·-.. .. . . ... . . . .. . . . . .. 2~·17.,
Impacts Associated with the w·orkfarce • • • • . .. • . . • • • .. 2-18
Impacts As soc iated wi th Market for Cdal • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2:..20
Impacts Assocfated with Project Revenues . • • • • • . . • • • • 2~21
ConClusions:. Regtonal Soc i oe.canomic· Impacts • • . . . . • • 2..,22
Settlement Requirements
S.et~leme~t ··sites .......... , ........................ .:-...... 2~'24
Existing Settlements • • • . • • • . • . • • • . . • • . • • • • • . • • . 2..;24
·· Site Characteri·sti'cs and Lamt R:equirements • . • • . 2;...25
Housing
Ext st i ng Gondi ti ons ............................... ; .. 2..;2.9
Housing Reqtrirements • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • . . • • • . • • • • • • • • • 2-31
Schools
Exi sting Conditions ••.•••• ~........ • • • • • • . . .. . • .. . . .. 2-35
Sdtool Requi rements • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • . • . • . . • • • . • 2-36
Poli ce, Fi re, and Emergency Med H:al Servie:t!'s
Police service·s ........... -.. ······,··· ·-·· ...... · .......... 2-3.8:.
Fire PrOtectfon ... :~ ... ~· ........ ~ ... · .. .-•.. ,.:;·········· 2-39
Health Ca re and Emergency Medical Serv·fces . • . • • • • • • • 2..:;4()~
Recreation Needs an.d Opportunities ................. ~ ...•• , 2~41
iv
~
\..._.,/
Water and Wastewater Systems
Exi sting Systen1s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-43
V ill age of Tyonek •.• . .. . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • . . . . 2·43
Tyonek Timber Camp . . • . • . . . • .. . . . • . . . . . . • . . . . . • • 2-44
Trading Bay .•.•....•.•.....•.. ,. . • • . . • . . • • • • • • . . 2-44
Requ 1 rènlents .... ~ ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-45
Water A va il ab il ity • • • • . . . . • . . . • • . • . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . .. • 2-45
Systen Alternatives ···~······························· 2-46 Ons i te Sy$ tems ....... -'! ••.• ~~ • • • •.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2-46
Community Water and Sewer Systems . . . • . . • . . . . . . • 2-46
Expansion .of Existing Systems • • • • . • • . . . . . . . . . . . 2-47
Transportation and Power
· Existing systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-48
Roads . • . . . . . . . • . . • . . . • . . . . • . • . . . . . • . • . . . . . .. • . . . 2-48
Airport Facilities .... ~........................ 2-49
Dock Facilities ......••......•...•.•..•...•...• 2-50
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . 2-50
Requi rements ................... ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-50
Power ........................ ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-50
Airport Facilities ............................. 2-51
Dock Facilities ...••••.•....••••.•.•....•••...• 2-51
Overland Transportation • . .. . • . . • • • . . . . • . .. • . . .. 2-52
References: Set tl ement Requ i rements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • 2-54
Psychosocial Prospects for Tyonek
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.-55
A Historical Perspective on the Village of Tyonek . •• 2-56
Present .Li fe Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6_0·
Effects of Coal Development on Community Life Style . 2-62
Community Perception Towards Development .. . . . • .. . • • . 2-64
Summary; Psychosocial Prospects for Tyonek ....•.... 2-68
References: Psychosocial Prospects for Tyonek . . . . . . 2-68
Decision Making Framework
Governmental Jurisdiction and Powers . .. . .. .. • • .. .. . . 2-69
Tyonek Village Council . . .. .. .. • • • .. .. .. • . . .. .. . 2~69
Tyonek Native Corporation .. . . .. . . .. .. .. . .. . • .. . 2-69
Cook In let Region, Incorporated (CI RI) . • • . • • . . . 2~70
Kena1 Peninsula Borough . .. .. • . . .. . .. .. . • .. . . .. • 2"\'70
S ta te of A 1 as ka . . . . . . • . • . . . • . • . .. . . • . . . . • . • • . • • . 2-72
Office of the Governor, Division of
Policy Development and Planning ........ 2.;.7,3.
Depar'bnent of Commerce and Economie
Development ............ Ill •••• if!........... 2-73,
Department of Community and Regional Affairs 2-73
Department of Environmental Conservation .. 2774
Department of .Fi sh and Game • . .. . .. • . . • . .. . 2-74
Department of Natural Resources . . . . . . . • . . • 2-74
Opportunities for Invol vement . . • • . • . • . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . 2-75
Environmental. Concerns • • . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . • .. . . . .. 2-75
Ai r Qu a lî: ty ~ . .. . . . ...... ~ . . . ... . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 2-7 6.
Water Resources . • . . • • • . • • . • • . . • . . . • . . . • . . • 2-77
Fi sh and Game .•........... 41 ••••••••••••• ,. 2-78
Surface Revegetation/Reclamation .•....•..• 2-79
Land Management Issues .• . •• • . • . . . . . • • . . . • • 2-80
Creiition of a New Settlement ••.........••. 2-82
v
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~"~
Provision of C001munity Services and Facilities •
Educa tton .................................. .
Public-Safety -~~-~····~···~····~~··~······· Public Utilities ••••••••••..•..••••.•.•.•.
Housing ··········~····L···················· Canrnuni ty Transporta ti on ...... q• •••••••••
Recommendati ons . . · · ·
Recommended Research ................................ .
Alaska Energy Worker Profile ·····u·•.···•······
Energy Oevel opment .Moni tor;ng ••...•• ~ •• ~ .•.•• ~ .•
New Comrnuni ty Pl ann fng •.•••.•.• ~ .••••..•••••.••
A rea Oevel opme nt Assessment •• ~ ... p ••••••••••••
Tyonek Ethnographie Profile •••.•• : •••••••••.•••
Tyonek Impact Prevention ••••••.•••••.••••••••••
Possible Steps to Prevent Unacceptab 1 e Impacts
General Gui.dl ines ...... ~ ........ _ .. -...... _ ...... ~ .... '!.
Implementation Suggestions ·······•·•·······~········
Sta te , Po 1 i cy Oevel opment •••••..•• ·~.· ~·. ~ ••••••. ~ .•. ~
Land-Use Planning ··········!·••···~···~·····~······· Town Site Planning ........ ··~ •........•. , .• : .• ~, ............. .
Employment and Job Training •..•..•••••.•••......•••.
F;1nancing Com~m.~ntty Services •••..••••••.•••••..•••.•
Summa ry .••.. ~ ........... ~ ....• -...................•.....•...
Refe renees ................................................ .
Appendi·x.2~~ ~ •• ~~··················--:·····4!'-······~.,: .. _ ... . Appendix 2111!8 ••.••••..•.•••.....•....•.....••....•.....•...
Appendix 2~c ·~····~······················.·····-.····~···-:·~··
3 BELUGA COAL FI ELO PERMIT SCENARIO
Introd·uction ...... -.-~ .. ·:·· ......... ~ ...... ~ ~ ..... , .... .
Location ....... ~ ........•. ~ .. ~ .... ~,.~ ~ ......... ~ .... ~-· ... .
Mining Operatio·n ~ ...... ~ ~ ... ~ .. ! ~. ~· ·~. ~ .' •• ~. ~ •• ~ •• ~ •••
Ove r 1 and Routé •••.•••••••••••••.••.•••..••.••••...•.•
Plane .Landing. s~r; p·' .•. ~ •• ~ .... ~. ~ ~ ... ~ .•..•.. ~! ~, •••
Preservation of Streams , ••.••.•.••.••• ~ •.•••••••..•.
Const.f.ucti·on Camp •. ~ ••••..•• ~~~·~····~~····~··~·······
Dock •.•. e: ., • 'Il! .......... 'li! ~ •••• ~ • •• •••• , ••••••••• -: • ~ •• ~ •• ~ ••
Generating Power Plant ••••••••••••••••.••••••.•.•.••
Power L 1 nes ••• • · ., Il)-•••••••• , ••••• ~ ., ..... ~ ~ •.•••• "" • • ••. -r ~-.• ~ ••• ~"
Kenai Peninsula Borough ·~······ .. •••!"·•·· .... • .. ~·~~
Matanas ka Sus 1 tna Borough •.••• ~ • · ••••••.•..•••••.. ~ .•
RefErf:"ençes •• ~ • ~ ••.•• ~ • • ,. ........... , •• ~ ~~~ ~ , • ~ • ! ••• ~ • e: ~ ~ ~ •••
Appendix 3-A: Selected State.P{i!nnits ·····~·········
Pe r:m i. t to Ori 11 or Oeepen ••••••••..••• ., ••.••••
Upland Locatable Mineral Rights ••.•••••••••••••
Offshore Locatable Mineral Porspecting
Permit and Coal Prospecting Permit ....... ~ .•
Solid Waste Oisposal Pennit .............. , .••••
Ti del ands Pennit · .•......•. , ............... ~." .... .
Oevelopment Work on Coal Oeposits ............. .
vi
2-84
2-84
2-85
2.ii.S6
2-.81
2,-.89
2-91
2-.92
2-93
2-93
2...;94
2~95
2;..96
2~97
2-100
2-100
2.-101
2..;102
2-103
2-103'
2-105
2~108
2.:.113
2-114
2-115
J.;.l
3 .. -3
3~5
3-6.
3-7
3'!'"7
3-7
3":!'8
3-9 3~9
3~9
3-11
3-13
3~14
3-14
3-16
3-18
3-20
3-22
3-24
\. . .;.~~:
~
~
4 LAND TENURE
Introduction ........................................
Major Land Holdings ..•.•.•..............•.......•..•
s tate Lands .................................... .
Tentative ly Approved Lands ••..............
Pa-tented Lands · •...•••...•..........•..•...
Mental Health Lands ...................... .
wa:terway Bottoril·s . ~ ........... ·~. -~ .•.... , •..•
Navigable Waterways .•.......•..•.••....••..
Tid·el,ands· ••...••..• -•....• ~~ ....•.•...•....•
State Land Classifications ..................... .
Resource Management Lands ................. .
. Industrial Lands ........................... .
Reserve Use Lands .•••.........•.....•......
Materials Lart·ds ............ _ •..............
Wa ter Ri gh ts .............................. .
State Game Refuges ....................... .
r·imllE!r .Sale .......................... , ... .
Nativè Land-s ... _ .....•.......•....•.. _.. ......... .
Native' Allotments •.••...•.•.....••...•...•
Native Corporations ....................... .
Tyonek Native Corporation ..•..•..••..
Native V ill age of Tyonek, !ne. • ••....
Native Lands Subject to Reconveyance •
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Lands ~·······
Village Corporations Accociated
·Wfth CIRI .••......•.•............•
Land Exchange Overview .•..•......•..••.•.•
Beluga Pool Selections ........... ~ ....... .
Borough Lands .............•.•.........•.........
Other Private Lands ...••••.•..••..........•....
Land Tenure and .Coal Oevel opme nt ........................ .
Energy. Resôurces .................................... .
Coal Prospecting Permi ts ...................... .
Co al Leases •........... ~ ...........•.......•...
011 and Gas Leases ......••..•.•.•..........•...
Transportation ..................................... , ..... .
Land .•.•.•....•...........•..••......... ~ ....••.••.....
Easements Across Native Lands ............•.••.•••...
Easement On and To the Marine Coastline .•...•...•.•.
Easements On and To Waterways (Rivers, Lakes,
and Stream-s) ...................... ~· ...•...........
Transportation and Utility Corridors and Statutory
Easen1ents ••.....•••..•.•....•.•... , ~~ ..••••.•.•.....
Native vs. Public Use ............••..•......••...•.•
Cut-off Date for Determining Present Use ........... .
State Highway Proposal ............................. .
Electric Power Transmission L ines ..•...•...•..•.....
Coal Sl urry Pipeline ....•.•.• ~ ••.•••••....•......•.•
Other Coal Transportation .......................... .
A 1 as ka Rai 1 raod •••••.•.. e • ~.~ •••••••••••••••••••••••••
Timlll!r Roads .......................................... .
Sei sm 1 c Tra i 1 s .•..•.•...•.•.•........•..............•
Section L ine Easements .••.•........•........••.....•
Historie Trails, Sites and Cemeteries ••...........••
vii
4.;1
4~j
4;..3
4·6
4-8
4-9
4-9
4-9
4-12
4-13
4-14
4-14
4-15
4-15
4.:23
4-25
4-29
4-29
4-30
4-32
4~35
4-38
4-39
4~41
4-42
4-43
4.:..44
4~58
4-58·
4.;.59
4-59
4-61
4-61
4-62.
4-64
4_;64
4-.64
4-64
4-64
4-66
4-66
4-67
4-68
4-68
4_;69
4-69
4-70
4-70
4-71
4-71
4-73
Recommenda ti ons for Fu tu re Land Use •...•••.....•.•.•..••.
lëind Sta tus .......................................... .
Plannecf Development .. ~ ........•.....................
Dock Si tes ....................... ~ .................... .
Shore Fi shery Lèases -Set Net Sites ........•.•
Conversion ofProspecting Permitsto Coal Leases
Propos.ed State Highway: . Chuitna to Goose Bay ..
Future Permanent Settlements •.........•..•...••
Trading Bay and Susitna Flats Stàte Game Refuges
F4ture Hygropower Devèlopmer:Jt •..•..•..•..• ~ ...•
· gxi sting Water Rights .•.•. ~ ••. ··~ •••••.•••.••..•..•
Native Historie Sites and Cemeteries .......... .
· Penni tting Procédures •...... : .• ~ •..••.....•..• ~
App.endix 4~A: Tenns .and Condittcms of the. Cook Inlet
· Land Exchange .....•.. ~:~ •..•.•••.•
Appendix 4-B: United States Surveys ............ ~ .. .
Appendix 4-C: Right~of-Way Pennits •..•...•..•.•••.•
Appendix .4-D: Corporate Charger of the Native ·
. Vi nage -&f Tyonek Alaska ......... .
Appendix 4~E: Tyonek Interim Conveyance ..•........•
Appendix 4~F: Grant of Easmetit for Right-of-Wày, ••..
5 COAL TECHNOLOGY
/.
Introductio.n .... ., .... '!'·• • .,. ••• _· •. ··~-·· ••• ··! ~~:· ........ tl •••••.••.•.•
Coal Recove·ry ":··•!•·•·.·-~ ............................... .
Surface· .. •·•:• .-.... ~··-· ............•.... , ........ -.... ·-· .: .. -Undergr·ou~d ... ~ ........ · ... · ....... ~ .' ..... · ...... .
Recovery ~xperiençe ,in A1aska ··~ ~ . .: ..•..........
Pl a·ns for Bel'ùga -~--t •• ,_.ô 1· •••. ~.•:• ••• !·• !'-. •: •••••.••••
Beneficiation ········~·········.: ....•.•....•........
Raw Co a 1. Pre.pa ra ti on ........................... .
Size Réduction (B~eaklng & Crushing) ·~·· .••......
Sç,r~e,.n i ng . • . ... ·. ~ . . . . • . ~ • ·. • . .• . . ~ · . . . . . .. • • .••••....
CJ_e·a r:t i ng •....• ·-. •; ..... -:_ .•.••....•..... tt ..... tt •••••
o·~y.i_ng •... •· .....•......•...•. •· .•......•.....•...•
Experience in Alaska .......................... .
Beneficiation at Beluga ....................... .
Storag .. e_ ......... _ •................ _...,;· ........................... .
0-ut·s ide, s·tQ~a_g~ ...•..•.. : •..•....•..••.•••••...•
s to,rag e· ·-~ffe-ct_·s .· .,.!~, ". •: ····""'~"" t .... · ·: .... Il!' ·····~ ~--._ • ·:·~·· ~: "./ .. ·--·-••••
Experience in Alaska .......................... .
Generation of El ectric fty , .•...•...••.•..•..•••..•..•
. The Original Clea~ Air Act •..• ~ ... ~ n • .,. ••••••••
The Cl ean Air Act Amendment of l97Z •.••..•.••.•. ~ow". s.~l-·fu~ :_.Coa.l. '-~~~·-•.• ·-~;.•:fiJ·• .• · •••• · ••• · •••••••••••••• so 2 · Emt:Ss ions .••.. ~-._ .... ': ............... ·-. _ .......... ..
Flae Gas Oesulfùrizatiol'l· .•....•....•• · ..•........
Flue 'Gas Desu.l furiï.a ti on Research ..•.•••.••...•
FGD Cos>ts' ••• · ............ ·-··· •.• ,, .•••....••.•.••••••.••
Experience in Alaska •• · ......................... .
'BeJ uga ,. ................. ·-· •••• , •• ···-~-·. •'·•. ·"•>· ·-~ -~ ••••
viii
4-73 ' ' v.)
4":"73
4-73
4-76
4:-76
4·76
4-71
4-77
4~78
4-78
4:..78
4-79
4-79
4-81
4-86
4-89
4-95
4-1:03
4-117
5-1
5-l ~ 5.-2
5-3
5-.3 .
5-5.
5-5
5-6
5<-7 '
5-7 s.:.s
5-9
5-.10
5:-lO
5-11
·5-Jl·
5-13
5-14.
5-16
5-16
5:-.1 $:
5:-20
5-23
5-23
5-27
5-28
5-30
5-30 ~
/----
Coal Processing ...•...•...•.....•....•..•....•......
Co ki n·g • " •••••••• ~ ................................. .
P rope rt i es of Coke .•....•..•..••......••..
Blending .................................... .
coal Coking Methods ••.....••..•.....••....
Recent Development in Japan ..••.•..•...•.•
Fonned Coke Processes Throughout the World
Experience in Alaska ..................... .
Coke at Beluga .•••.•.•...•••...•..•••..•..
Coal Gasification ..•.••••.••.•••••.........•..•
Gasificatton ....•...•...... ~ ....•....•....
Combustible Gases ••••....••..•..•..•••.•.•
Process Equi pme nt .••....•......•.......•.•
Status of Low, Intermediate and High
BTU Gasification Systems •......••.•..••.
Underground Coal Gasification ·~···········
The Linked Vertical Well Technique •.•.•...
Other Coal Gasification Concepts .•..•..•..
Experience and Interest in Alaska •.....•••
Chernfcals from Coal ............................. .
Di sti'lla ti on .................. .' .......... .
Synthesis Gas ............••......•........
Di reet Hydrogenation •.•.•.........•...•...
Aromatic Chemicals from Coal (Clean Coke
Process) ................................. .
The Process .....••.....•.........•...
The Products ......•.... '!l ............ ..
Solvent Refined Coal •...••.•.•..••••.••.•.•.••.
SRC Process .•.•..•... ·· .....•..•.....•..•.•.
Pilot Plant-Ft. Lewis ...•.....•••.••.•••
Pilot Plant-Wils.onville .••••..•...•.•...
Experience 1 n A las ka ••••.••......•••.••.•.
Methanol .. , ...•.......•.•......•. , ........•....
Recornmenda ti ons •.•••••••••••••••.••••••• ~ ...•••.•••••
Key Contacts ................................... · ..... .
References .............................. ~ ............ .
Appendix 5-A: Physical Properties of Coal Necessary
for Coking ....................... .
Appendix 5-B:
Appendix 5-C:
Glossary .... · ............................ .
Beluga Coal Analyses ................. .
6 TRANSPORTATION
r·ntrod ucti on ... ,. ................................... .
Truck1n9 •...••..•............•.••.... ,, .............. .
Rail ................................. , ............... ..
Ra il Li ne to Tidewater ••.•••.• .,. ..•.•...•••.•••
Be l·ug·a E)ctens ion .•........•....• ~· ................ .
un·it Trains .............. ······o········ ...... .
CoS ts ............................ 4 ••••• tt ••••••••••
Slurry Pipeline ........................ ~ ...... , ......... .
.Slurry Pipe 1 1 ne Cos ts •.••... · •.••...•.••.•••...•
ix
5-31
s-33
5..;;34
5-3:5
5:..36
5...;~7
5-38
5-38
5;..40
5-40.
5-40
5•42
5-42
5-43
5-43
5-48
5-48
5-50
5-51
5-53
5-53
5-55.
5:..55
5-56
5-57
5-57
5;.;60
5-60
5-61
5-62
5oo62
5-:-64
5·69
5~6~
5•72
5-75
5~77
6-l
6~5
6..;6
6-7
6.;.7
6-7
6-10
6-15
6~17
Marine Transportation •• ·•···•··· •••••••••••••.••••••• 6-17
Weather Conditions •••••••••••••••••••...•••••.• 6-22
Barging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Cos ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24
Shi ps •.......••..•...•..•.... -. • . • • • . . . . . • . . • . • • 6-25
Coal Transportation in a Slurry • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • 6-25
Ele.ctric Transmission • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . • • 6-28
ConClus 1 on.<: •..• .: -•. ·~ '• •• i ~ .• -~ •.••• ·• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 6-29
Key Contacts ..... -. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Re-·fererîces ••• ff, tii •..•• ·:. ~ ~~ .• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. • • • • • • • • • • • • 6-.31 -
Appendix 6-A: Hydrotransport of Beluga Coal •••..••• 6-32
Appendix 6-B: Shi pment of Beluga Coal • • • • • • • • • • • • . • 6-46
7 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT .OF THE BELUGA COAL FIELDS
Int~odué:tion ···+··-············t:···············~····· 7-1 Envi ronnental Ba sel i ne ••••••••• ·••••.•.•.••••••••.••• 7-2 ·
Locati.on .. ~-.................. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Cl imate .. ·. ~...................... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Hyd ro 1 ogy . , . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . 7:-3 ~
s 011 s ..... ~ ................. ·-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.~4
Flora ... , ...................... -.,................. 7-6
Al pi ne Vegetation Cornmunity • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7-6
High Brush Community • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • .. • 7-7
Upland Spruce -Hard\'fOOd Forest Vegetation . ·"·
CanmUntty •.••...•• _ ..•...••... ~........... 7-8 l,~
Lowland Spruce .. Hardwood Forest Vegetation
Canmun1 ty . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-·1 0
Wet Tundra Vegetation Community .•••••••••• 7•11
Fresh Water and Estuarine Vegetation
Canmunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Aquatit Plants •••••.•••.••••••••••••• 7-12
Salt Marshes and Wetland Plants •••.•• 7-13
Fa.una . . . • • • • . . • . • • . • . • • • • • • • . . • • . . • . • . . • • . • . . • • 7-14
Envi ronnental Impacts • • • • . • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • •. • • • . • • • 7..:22
Exploration ••••.••••••••••.••••••••••• ~ •••••.•• 7-23
Opening ·the Mine .~ .. ·...•.................•...... 7-24
Coal -Recovery· . . . . • . . . . . . . . ..• • . . • . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . 7~2'5
Coal Beneficiation ••••••••••.•••••••••.•.•.•.•• 7-28
Coal Marketjng .•..........•...••..•....... :-..... 7-29
Coal-Fired, Mine-Mouth, Electricity-Generating
Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Recommendations on Environmental Issues ••••••••••••• 7-31
Restricted or Prohibited Development Areas • • . • • 7-3.1
Exisiting Industrial Development Activities •••• 7.:.32
Permanent Settlement Sites • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. •• 7-33
Chu i tna River Fis hery and Scenic Values • • • . • • • • 7-34 ·
Regeneration of Vegetation ········~············ 7-35
tand Reclamation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • 7-35
Appendix 7-A: Beluga Vegetation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7-37
Appendix 7-B: · Chu it River Sport Fish • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • 7-3.8 ; ·''
Appendix 7-C: Summary of National Air Standards • • • • 7-42 'V
x
"""-'
NUMBER
2-1
2-2
2-3
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-F-1
5-1
5-2
5·3
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-8
5-9
5-10
5-11
5-12
LIST OF FIGURES
Land Status, Central Beluga Coal Di strict ..•.••••.•..
Transportation Facilities, Central Beluga Coal District
Conceptual Residential Layout •••• ~ ••.•••.••...•••••••
State Game Refuges
Aeronautical Chart
...................................
...................................
CIRI Beluga Pool Selections ········~·················
Coal Leases and Coal Prospecting Pennits ••••••.•••...
Native Historie Sites ••..••••.••.•••.•.••.•......•.•.•
Moquawkie Indian Reservation •...•••••.••••••.•.•.•.••
Contour Mining with Bulldozer and Auger •..•......••••
Haphazard Stacking, Showing Air Circulation ......... .
Cross Section of Compacted Pile •..•.•• ,. •••...•.••.•.•
Segregation of Different Sizes of ·Coal
in Conical Pile· ...................................... .
Temperature History of Dried Subbituminous
S toc kp i 1 e ........................ '· ..................... .
Temperature History of Dried Lignite Stockpile .••••••
so 2 Emissions: Annual World-Wide Levels, Effects
on Health, and Di sas ter Lev el s ••.•••••••••.••••••••••
Increase in FGD Utilization as a Function of the
Year This Estima te was Made. FGD MW Capacity •••.•...
General Process Scheme for Producing Gas from Coal •••
Kopper-Totzek Coal Gasification Process .••••••.••••.•
Schema tic of the LVW UCG Process •••••••••••.•••..••.•
Hydrocarbon Synthesis, Coal to Fuels and
Petrochemicals, Flow Diagram ....... : ••••••••.••••.•••
xi
··PAGE
2-27
2-28
2-30
4-28
4~36
4-45
4-60
4-75
4-1:17
5-4
5-12
5•12
5-12
5-15
5-15
5-24
5-26
5-41
5-45
5-49
5-54
NUMBER ·
6-1
6-2
6 .. 3
LIST OF FIGURES .
Prospective Beluga Rail Link ........................ .
Cost B reakdown for ·System. V ••• '• .•••• · •• ~ ·'-• ~· •.• ·~·· ~ • ~ .~··~ : ••
Chugach Transmission. L ine ..... , • --: 1 ...... , • ·• • -••••.•••••••••••
xii
PAGE
'·6-8
. 6-21
6-23
v
""•'"
------~--------------~----------------~----------------------------*---------=-----------~~--------~------~--mq--------~*-----~N*------------·~.
NUMBER
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-7
2-8
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
4-10
4-11
4-12
LIST OF TABLES
Population Growth wi th the First Scenario
for Beluga Coal Field Development •..••.••.•.••
Population Growth wtth the SE!cond Scenario
for Beluga Coal 'Field Development •..• : ••••.••.
Population Growth wi th the Third Scenario
for Beluga Coal Field Development •.•.••••.....
Projected Housing Demand for the First Scenario
Projected Housing Demand for the Third Scenario
Pupil Enrollment and Projections
Bob Bart let School , Tyonek .................... ..
Police Service Projections for the Third
Scenario ....................... " ............. .
Water Flow Requirements for Fi re Projection ..•
Alaska Land Acquisition .••.••..••..••........•
Sta t.e La nd ·. Statu s •....•.•.•.•.•.• ft. ••••••••• -•••••
Men ta 1 He al th Lands ••.•••.••..•.•..•.•.•....•.
State Dete.nnination of Navigable Waters •..•.••
Industrial Sites ................................. .
Reserved Use Lands .........•.... ~~ .............. .
Mate·rial Sales .................. " .............. .
Water .. Rights ................... , ............... .
Native Allotntents ............. • ................. .
Goal Pr.ospecting Pennits ...................... .
Goal Leases •••••••..•.•.•••..•••...••....•...•
Exi sting Trail System .. H ................... ..
xiii
PAGE
2-9
2-lO
. 2-12
2-32
2-34
2-35
2-39
2-40
4-4
4-5
4-7
. 4-11
4-16
4~17
4-22
4-26
4-33
4-48
4-51
4-,]4
NUMBER
5-1
5'!"2 ··•··
5-3
5..;4
LIST OF TABL~S
·.. Su 1 fu r< Con tèn ti of Co a 1 Requ 1 ted : 'ti) Me~ t· Stll fur
Oxide Emissiqn St:~·nd~rds iJl .Ç·o~l$··()f P·tfferliH''It .
BTU Content •.. , .. ~ .. , ......... ~ ~ ·~ .. :! • · •••. ! • -~ ~ "', ,. ,~ -~-~· .. , ~ -.. . ·' ~' , ' . . ' . . ' ' .. ,
le~ding. Pr.oçesse3 TtGhnic.;il)y, Reas iblEt for:. SQ~
:. . Remov~l Frçm BoiJ er Stacks •.•.. ~, ••.••. p.~~ •• ~.·.
Fonned Coke Processes ..•.••••.•.•••• , ..•.•••••
· ·selected oe·s·ign Features !:If Four Low..-anî:t Inter-
madiate·BTU Gasific~t·iOQ Proce$Se'$·. ~ ù' .. .,. ~:.
.. ;PAGE
5 .. 19
~: s-e9
&-~9
fi.,.4J4
5-5 · Sel'ected llesign · Feat1ires of Ffve · Migh.;;.aru · ··
6-6
§;..7
6-1
. 6-2 ,,
. 6-3
6-4
6-5
6.;.6
6-7
6-8
6-9
6-10
6-11
6-12
6-13
. G~sffi~atJon Proçesses ... ,., • , •• ~··. • • •• , ;:.~ ·~• ••. , •..•.•. ·5~46
Annual Production and Revenue for CÎ~an~Coke
Process C~mercJal Rl~nt. ~ .. ~·, ..•. : ..... •·•~ .... H •• o.~.
Properties of Raw ~nd Beneficiat.ed Coal$ .,.,,,
Comparativ~ Transport.ation Modes. ~ •• ~ ••••••••••
Escala ti on of Transpocrtatiort Op.ti on.s , ••• , ••••••
20•Year Lev el ized Transportation Cost u ..... p
Belug~ to Wh.ittier Unit Tr,in !nfonn~t19!1 ... !' •.
Rail· Car Type.s a.P.dL.Capa:ei:ti.es ft.~tt'l Coat.,s~rvice
· Tenta tfve Schedu 1 e ...••••.•.•.•.•••••• , ••..•••
A]ëlSkèl ~ailroad TarHfs :,~, Healy Ôrigin ••••• ~ ..
Slurry Pipeline Data ..•.• .'' ...•. n. p ...... tt H
• Slurry Pipeline Costs ................ u••u•H
Slurry Pipeline Capital Cast. factors ••••••••.•
Cos t Summa ry •••.• !l' ••••••••••••••••• , ••• ~ , !Ill • ~ '!' ~ ,
Ship Cost~ ····························~··\'~!•••·
Ship Data ......................................
xiv
1 .. s:"'~a
5.-59
6 .. ~ .
,,6,..3
Q'!04
e;,..n
' a ... 12
6;..1:3
6.-14
6-18
6,.,19
6 ... 19
6-~0
6 ... ~6
6 ... 27
~
,~
v.J
FOREWORO
·;:' '
This second phase of the Alaska Regional Energy Resou-rces Planning Projeét
represents an in-depth look at the Beluga Coal District, hydroel ectrïc
devel opment and' the appl icabil i ty of al ternat ive energy systems. Speci fi-
cally, this phase of the project will deal with the possible development
of the Beluga Coal Fields, the construction and'operàtion of hydroelectric
facilities in Alaska ·'as wellas vatious alternative small scale energy
systems such as geothermal, , wind, fuel cell s, small hydroelectric
facilities and thennal application of energy conversion.
Since the begitmi ng of this project in 1977, many important developments
have occurred in the field of :energy. Thé impact of the passage of the
Clean Ah' Act amendments has yet to be fel t, and ch~nges in offshore
fedèral lease sale schedules have yet to make a fin.al impact within the
economy of either Alaska or the continental United States. In addition,
there is still considerable debate as to the disposition of the oil fr:om
the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) as well as the 1 i kel ihood of a
Trans-Alaska or Trans-Canada natural gas pipeline. Therefore, the reader
must recognize · that information and data concerning Al as ka' s re sources,
operations and issues are continually being supplemented and modified, by
changes in regulations, technol ogy, economie factors and re source
av ai 1 a bi 1 i ty.
Since this report 1s based to a great extent upon scientific, geological
and engineering work done by others, the reader is urged to obtain the
original documentation for greater detail. This report does not attempt
to establish State, Federal or Native corporation policies. This report
does provide infonnation wh1ch will assist pol icy makers in making ,.
infonmed decisions.
xv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report .has benefited fran contributions and input supplied by staff
members fran seve raT state and federal agencies, Native corporations,
utilities, libraries, industrial corporations, national laboratories, and.·
consultants. A number, but not all, of the energy .experts who assisted us
are listed by name in vari.ous .chapters of the text. Without the help of
the many people who contributed, this report would not have been possible.
It is hoped that all who assisted will al so. ~ind this report useful.
The au thors wi sh to express thanks to the secretariaT staff members who
assisted in the preparation of this report, Brenda Hviding, Shelly Lynn,
Paula Parker, Arlene Priee, Peggy Skeers and Nancy Totten. The fo.llowing
individual s must be thanked for the ir support in research and numerous
writing contributions necessary for the successful canpletion of the.
project: Carol Bennet, Ste ven Levi, Rand a 11 Montbri and, and especi ally
Kyle Weaver.
Und er the coordination of Marvin 01 sen and Susan Brody, Chapter 2 was
prepared for the Di.vision of 'Emergy and Power Development by the Battelle
Human Affairs Research .Centers and CH2M Hill. Contributing the vartous
sections were Christopher Cluett, Corby Howell, Loren Leman, Joseph
Trimble, Glen Svendsen, and the coordinators •
. Al so, funding fran the Department of Energy ( fo.nnerly Energy Research apd
Development Administration) is acknowledged and appreciated. The
continuing assistance of Dr. Paul Gerhardt, Regional Impacts Division, in
the di rection of the earl y stages of this project as well as his interest
in the progress of this study was very hel pful.
xvi
~
NO IlJOOOMlN 1
L M3ldVHJ
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
~'rior to the development of any coal field, all facets of the project must
; cons ide red. The fi rs t of the se i s the human factor. Deve 1 opme nt of
jy ki nd wfll crea·te sorne cultural dislocation. The entry of large sc ale
{~dustry into any district. of Alaska poses potential confl icts. The·
/evelopment may resul t in a replacement of socia·,l .values as well as an
alteration of the. lifestyle of the residents. Many of these problems can
be resolved long before any construction work commences. Efforts to
mi ti gate potenti al trouble spots shoul d be coorclinated wi th state and
local · agencies. Inevitably ~hanges will occur, but with the proper
planning framework, a smooth transition can occur.
Another critical feature of case development is the effect of construction
on the environment. No construction project, especially one the size. of
the proposed Beluga Coal Field devel opment, can be undertaken or completed
without damage to the ecosystem. However, thou~1htful safeguards will
allow environménta1 disruption to be minimized.
Land tenure is yet another matter of concern. Not étll lands are available
for development. The land in the Beluga Coal Fields and the access routes
are not all of the same status. Prior to any development it will be
essen ti al to identi fy who hal ds the real property and mineral rights of
all lands to be used. land use rights must be otbained and zoning
restrictions observed.
Once land status uncertainties have been resolved, technological decisions
remain. Numerous options in processing, transportation, and end use will
necessarily be examined if the Beluga Coal Field is ta be developed. Each
option would of cours-e, have different economie, social, and environmental
impacts.
Transportation of coal is also a major concern. A variety of alternatives
are available, including truck, barge, rail, slurry pipeline., transmission
lines and combinations of these methods. The construction of compatible
~acilities will be required at least at the point of destination.
~~
~~
Qirfce all other questions have been resolved, the pennitting procedures may
ff'";'~:'.:_
~egin. For virtually all aspects of the development of a coal field th.ere
are pennits which must be obtained from Federal, Sta:te and local agencies.
No major construction, conversion or transportation of coal or any of its
fonns or byproducts can occur wi thout a complete array of permi ts.
It is the purpose of this volume to deal with the problems and procedures
inherent in the development of a coal field. With the proper planning·and
necessary safeguards, coal field development can be a benefit to the
community and an ad di tional source of energy for Alaska.
1-2
\,.J
·~
~
S3AIHfN~311V 1VI~3~VNVW ONV SlJ3::l::l3 lVIJOS
l ~3ldV'HJ
•
..
•
CHAPTER 2
SOCIAL EFFECTS AND MANAGERIAL ALTERNATIVES
DEVELOPMENT.SCENARIOS
INTRODUCTION
The extent to which coal will be mined in the Beluga area during the.
next 20 years cannat be predicted with any accuracy at the present time .
Possibilities range from no mining at all ta large-scale operations of
30 million tons per year. Numerous contingencies wrill affect the eventual
development outcomes, including governmental requir'ements that utilities
substitute coal for nàtural gas for electricity generation (unless Alaska ·
is exempted from this requirement), the market demand for coal in the
United States and around the world, the rate of industrial growth in the
Cook Inlet region, and the responses of native villages and corporations to
economie development in their region.
To take account of this wide range of possible future trends at Beluga,
this report examines three alternative development scenarios: 1} a rela-
tively low level of coal mining to supply fuel for additional electric
genera ting faci 1 i ti es at Beluga; 2) moderate-sca le mining operations for
export, but no on-site use by generating facilities;; and 3) a combination ·
of both these conditions. These are the three situations that are thàught
most likely to occur at Beluga, and they represent c:onsiderably different
levels of coal mining development.
In addition to these three possibilities, there has been considerable
speculation· about various forms of industrial development in the Cook Inlet
region that would require coal for either process heat generation or
electricity generation, or bath. These possibilities include a petra-
' chemical plant, an LGN plant, and an aluminum smelter. However, none of
these projects is definite at this time. Therefore, their potential effects
on coal development at Beluga cannat be estimated with any certainty. At
one extreme, if a sing1e plant were constructed on tlhe Kenai Peninsula, .and
if coal were already being mined at Beluga, no more than an additional 20 ta
30 miners would be required. At the other extreme, ·if several plants were
/
constructed at Beluga, the construction and operating work forces, plus the
as soc i ated seconda ry economi c growth and influx of dependents, mi ght push
the population of the coTI111unity at Beluga to 3D_00-4000 people. Consequently,
this analysis does not specifically take into account the possibility of
coal-dependent industrial growth in the Cook Inlet region. If and when such
,plans become more definite, however, their likely social and economie effects
on Beluga could.be incorporated into the scenarios·analyzed here.
BACKGROUND DATA.
The data used in constructing the scenarios for this report were obtained
from a variety of sources, through personal interviews. These sources were:
• Placer Amex, Inc.
• Chugach El ectri.c Association
• Pacifie Northwest Laboratory
• Alaska.Division of Energy and Power Development
• Alask'a Division of Co11111unity Planning
• Alaska Division of Conmunity and Rural Development
• Alaska Department of Transportation .and Public Facil ities .
• · Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Department
• Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
• Tyonek Native Corporation
• Tyonek Village Council
Considerable information relevant to future development possibilities
at Beluga resulted from these interviews, the most significant of which was
that:
• The Beluga Coal Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of Placer Amex,
Inc.) would 1 ike to begin mining development in the Beluga area within
1
the next two or three years if possible, but it cannat initiate any
projects there until it nasa firm market for the coal. At the present
time that market does not exist.
2-2
'c...J
"'i
•
•
~
t
! f
·~
1!
• If mining is begun at Beluga, it will likely be limited to the Capps
coal field for the immediate future, since it is the most accessible of
the three deposits for which Placer Amex, !ne" holds leases. The land
on which the Capps field i s located wi 11 be o~med by Cook Inl et Region,
Inc., so that it would receive the royalties from all mining activiti~s
in that field. These operations would be striip-mining with heavy
equipment, since the coal 1 ies qui te close to the surface. It is
subbituminous coal with a moderate heat value of 7500 Btus per pound,·
1 ow sul fur content (O. 2 percent), but a high ash-moi'sture content
(about 35%) which makes it expensive to transport.
• Chugach Electric Associati·on has no plans at this time to construct ~ny
coal•fired electric generating plants at Beluga. The company estimatès
that the Beluga gas field contains enough natural gas to meet all its
needs until at least 2020, even with an annual delriand growth rate of.
13%-15% (which has been the case recently but which is not expected to
continue indefinitely). Any future electric g4~nerating untts the
company installs at its Beluga plant will be convertible to coal if
necessary, but the company will not burn any C<lal unless required. to by
governmental mandate. Such legislation is presently under consideration
by the U.S. Congress and is likely to become latw, but the statute might
provide exce.ptions for situations such as Belugra where ample natural
gas supplies are available. If such a requirement were imposed on
Chugach Electric Association, however, it would undoubtedly install a
minimum of two coal-firecl generators, so the case o.f a single generator
need not be considered.
• Chugach Electric Association is not presently c'onteritplating constructing
an underwater electric power cable across Cook Inlet to the Kenai
Peninsula. There is considerable disagreement among experts at the
present time concerning the engineering feasibillity of such a project.
• The Al as ka State Department of Transportation and Public Fa ci 1 ities h~s
laid out ~ route for a road from Knik to Beluga,. but it presently has
neither plans nor funds to construct that road. Moreover, it will riot
2-3
.,,
··l'
consider building the raad unless there is extenshe development in the
Beluga area ta justify its expense. ln ether words, the road wi11
. ' ' . .
depend on prior development at Beluga, and would be constructed by the
state as a means of promoting growth on the west side of Cook Inlet.
• Chugach Electric Association believes that if coal-fired generating
plants were constructed at Beluga, a permanent settlement should also
be built somewhere in that area. It would not consider rotating a
labor force/.of several hundred people back and forth betwe~n a temporary
work camp and Anchorage. The company would not assume .. responsibil ity
for providing any of the infrastructure necessary for such a C0111J1Unity,
however, for it sees th,at as the responsibility of the state.
• Cook In.let Region, Inc. favors the creation of a moderately large,
permanent cQmmunity somewhere in the Beluga area that would presumably
attract several industriesbecause .of .the availability of coal and
electricity.. It wants to participate in promoting this development,
but also assumes .that the state has the primary responsibility for
providing the infrastructur.e for the new coll1Jlunity.
• The Kenai Peninsula Borough government has governmental jurisdi.ction
over the land where a town would most likely be built near the Beluga·.
coal field. Members of the Borough Planning Department believe, however,
that the borough has. no intention of actively encouraging or facilita..:
tingsuch a venture. Their view is that this would be a private activity
of the companies and iridividuals involved, and that the role of the
borough government would be limited to reviewing requests made by the
settlement for zoning, platting, schools, and solid waste disposal.
The community itself would have to decide if and .how it wished ta
obtain any other public services or faci litiès.
• The village of Tyonek might likely seek to minimize contacts between
itself and a town in the Beluga area. Since a road already exists
betw.een Tyonek and the proposed town site, howe.ver, such contact would
probably be di ffi cult to avoid.
2-4
···~
•
'· j ~
..
1f
~·
~
. t.
..
•
Several conclusions were drawn from these data and used as a basis for
constructing the scenarios for this report:
• There is a distinct possibility that no development of the Beluga coal
field will occur before 1990, if at all.. .
• Any suçh development would depend on at least one of three conditions
occurring:
1. a governmental order to Chugach E1ectric A;ssociation to use coal
ra th er th an na tura 1 gas for genera_t i ng e 1 ectri city, e i th er in
place of its present gas-fired turbines or in any additional
generating units.
2. construction of one or more industrial plants in the Cook Inlet
reg'ion that require large amounts of coal for process heat or
large amounts of electricity, although in the latter case Chugach i
Electric Association would likely produce us much of that electricity
as possible with natural gas unless requirE~d by the government to
burn coal.
3. establishment by the Beluga Coal Company or· by ether èoal lessees
of external (outside Alaska) markets for at least six million tons
of coal per year.
• If moderate levels of development did occur in the Beluga coal field,
the labor force would most 1ike1y be housed in what might be termed a
permanent work camp. Workers would remain there for periods of severaJ
months to a few years, with occasional trips to _)\nchorage or elsewhere.
They would not be rotated back and forth on a weE!kly basis as1 is now
done with the crews of the oi1 platforms in upper· Cook Inlet. Some·'of
the workers would bring spouses to the work camp~, but virtually all of
these people wou1d 'àlso be emp1oyed in sorne capacity at the camp, since
there would be little for a nonemployed person to do there. Therè
would probably be few school-age children at the camp because ft would
have limited or no school facilities, and Tyonek ·would probably resist
2-5
any significant influx of nonnative students into its school. H~nce
the number of nonemployed persans at the camp would be limited to.a
relatively small number of spouses and children.
• If a high level of development should occur at the Beluga coa1 field,
however, a more complete community would probably have to be created
there. It would attract a secondary labor force composed of bath
persans directly supporting the primary labor force, and persans.
employed in otber activites stimulated .by the needs of the growing .
town. It would also include a sizable number of nonemployed depen-
dents. Such a community could be supported by air and water transpor-
tation, but demographie and economie growth at Beluga would be greatly
spurred by the construction of a raad from Anchorage. An alternative
to creating a full community would be to .merely enlarge the size of the
work camp, but that possibility was judged to be relatively remote and
hence is not considered in this report.
• At the .present time, only Placer Amex, Inc. has assumed any responsi-
bility for planning a townsite at Beluga. The Kenai Borough government
is likely to play only a passive role of rèsponding to whatever might
occur at Beluga. Chugach Electric Association and Cook Inlet Règion,
Inc. are bath business concerns that do not consider community organi-
zation to be the ir responsibil ity. And state agencies are just
beginning ta establish policies concerning economie and corrmunity
development in the Beluga area.
FlRST SCENARIO: COAL-FIRED GENERATING PLANTS
If the federal government should require Chugach Electric Association
~o burn coal in the future, either in place of its present gas-fired turbines
or in any new generators it constructed, it would probably build a plant
with at least two 200-megawatt coal-fired generators at Beluga. Since there
is no way of knowing when such an edict might be issued, this scenario,
assumes the most demanding casé of 1ssuance in 1979. Construction of the
first generator might then begin in 1980; using a semi-modular form of
2-6
v
..
,, .~
~
it
lt
l.J .·
\~
"'-'.
construction. On that schedule, the generator would be completed by 1983,
with 1 imited mini.ng beginning that year and full-s,cale mining and gener~ting
operations beginning in 1984. This generator would require approximately
730,000 tons of coal per year. Construction of a second generator would
begin in 1982 and be completed by 1985. Full-scale operation of this
generator, which would require another 730,000 tons of coal per year, would
begin in 1986.
Estimates of the labor force needed to construct the two generators are
quite tentative since no previ?us construction experience is direct1y
comparable to this plan for semi-modular assembly. The construction labor
force figures used in this scenario are derived f.rc1m estimatès made by the
Chugach El ectric Association and Burns and Roe Co., and from a recent study
of construction manpower requirements by Argonne National Laboratory. Cl)·
(The latter figures are scaled down to take account of the planned semi~
modular mode of construction.) The labor force for the first year (1980) 'is
composed of 100 construction workers to prepare the plant site and 50 workers
to build the work camp. The labor force needed to 1construct the second
generator is assumed to be only two-thirds the size of that required for the
first generator, since many of the plant facilities for both generators
would be insta11ed with the first one. Figures for the number of workers
needed to operate the generators were estimated from the Argonne study,
although this figure can vary widely from plant to plant depending on the
nature of the equipment used.
Estimates of the labor force requirements for coal mining in this;·· '·
scenario are based on figures provided by Placer Amex Inc., on the current
experience of the Nenana coal field, and on the Argonne study. The base··
figure of 60 persans needed. to mine 730,000 tons per y~ar is composed of
35 production'. workers, 13 maintenance workers, and 1:2 supervisory personnel.
In addition to the primary labor force, a relat'ively small support
staff would be needed to operate the work camp. A coefficient of 1.3 was
used to estimate the size of this support staff (0.3 support'persons for
each primary worker). No secondary economie activity is assumed to occur
at the camp.
2-7
It is possible that sorne residents of Tyonek might join either the.
primary or support labor. forces at Beluga, thus reducing somewhat the
number of outside workers required. However, since there are only 60 men
overa~e 17 in Tyonek, almost all of whom are presently engaged in sorne
kind of occupation, the number of people who might do this is tao small
to significantly affeçt the scenario.
Because of the isolation of the Beluga area, the scenario assumes that
none of the construction workers would bring any dependents with them who
were not also employed there. All those. persans would be counted as part
of the labor force, not as nonemployed dependents~ A few mining, operating,
and slJpport workers might bring nonemployed dependents with them, but for
the reasons mentioned above this number would be rather small. The multiplier
used to estimate the number of nonemployed. dependents in this scenarto was
therefore onJy 1.2 (0.2 dependents for each mining, operating, and support:
worker). Since the standard multiplier used in estimating the number of
nonemp 1 oyed dependents who wi 11 ac company. each opera ting ( noncons truction) . .
worker is 2,2, :the scenario is assuming·only one-sixth the usual number of
dependents at Beluga because of its work-camp nature.
The population estimates for thiS first scenario are given in Table 2-1.
Initial constructiôn activities in 1980 would create a total population of
about .200 persans; this figure would increase to over 500 in 1982 and 1983;
it would level off at 320 beginning in 1986 when the construction phase
was completed. Since the scenario does not assume any secondary economie
growth, the Beluga coal development populatio.n should remain relatively
stable after 1985 unless there. were further expansion of èither the coal
mining or electricity generating activities~
The permanent work camp that wôuld be established a{ the Beluga coal
field under thiS scenario would contain a11 housil1g, serv'ice, and recreatio.nal
facilities needed by the labor force and their depende'nts. These would likely
all be owned and operated by either Placer Amex, Inc. or Chugach Electric
Association. There would be no indepe11dent economie enterprises., and most
public services--from·water and sewerage to retail merchandising and
2-8
\ '-"
··.:
v
....
;._;
f
\_
•
..
.... :,
TABLE. 2-1. Population Growth with the First Scenario
for Beluga Coal Field Developn1ent
Construction Mining Opera ting Support Second,ary Nonemployed Total
Year Workers Workers .Workers Workers Workers De2;endents PoEulation
1980 150 ·----50 ----20()
1981 300 ----90 ----,390
1982 400 ----120 ----520
1983 350 JO --120 ----500
1984 200 60 90 100 --50 500
1985 100 60 90 80 --50 380
1986-on --90 120 60 --50 320
governmental administration--would be provided by the parent companies or
the support staff. Kenai Peninsula Borough would have to approve the land
use plans for the work camp but would not otherwise b<ecome involved in its
operation unless the people there applied for incorporation as a first-class
or second;..class city. The North Kenai Recreation Service Area {a special
service administration that is responsible to the borough government but
functions relatively autonomously) does include the Bt~luga a rea, and hence
it mi ght be drawn upon to pro vi de revenues for es tab 1 1i shi ng sorne outdoor
recreational facilities accessible to Beluga. Alaska state troopers would
provide police services to the work camp when needed. All serious medical
cases would have to be air evacuated to Anchorage. Finally, various state
agencies might provide sorne planning and other support services to the
settlement, although these would probably.be minimal because of its desig-
nation as a work camp rather than a normal community.
SECOND SCENARIO: COAL EXPORTING
In this case, we assume that Chugach Electric Assll)ciation does not
construct any coal-fired generators at Beluga, but that by 1990 Beluga Coal
Company has established sufficient markets for its coal to allow it to
produce at least six mill ion tons per year--the minimum amount necessary for
2-9
cast-effective exporting. To export coal it would be necessary to tonstruct
doc king and loading fa cil ities at Beluga, which would occur in 1989. A rough
estimate of 200 construction workers was made for this effort, plus 40 workers
to cci'nstruct the work camp facilities and 60 persans to operate the camp.
No,ne of these people is assumed to bring any nonemployed dependants during
the first year. Mining wouM start in 1990and would require a laber force
of approximately 180 miners (based on the Argonne study), 30 workers to
operate the docking and loading facilities and 60 support personnel. As
in the fïrst scenario, there would be no secondary economie growth and on1y a
few nonemployeddependents (again estimated with a coefficient of 1.2).
The population estimates for this second scenario are given inTable 2-2.
The total population of 300-320 sbould remain fairly stable un1ess the volume
of coal being mined and exported were considerably increased in the futuf'e.
Year
1989
1990-on
TABLE 2-2. Population Growth with the Second Scenario
for Beluga Coal Field Development
Construction Mining Opera ting Support Secondary Nonemployed
Workers Workers Worl<ers Workers Workers Depèndents
240 --. --60
--180 30 60 50
Total
Population
300
320
The total population figures for. the second scenario are identical to
those for the first scenario after its construction phase (from 1986 on)~ '
Hence the permanent work camp envisioned in the two scenarios would be the
same, except that in the second scenario it would not be established until
1989 and it would not have to accommodate a temporary "bulge 11 of 500 persans
during the construction phase. Consequently, a single analysis
will cover both scenarios except for the differing time frames and the
short-term bulge of construction workers in the first scenario.
2-10
' )t ~&
..
·'v)
..
·~
"
t.
THIRD. SCENARIO: GENERATING PLANTS AND COAL EXPORTING
This third scenario is simply a combination of the first two. It
assumes that two coal-fired generating plants are constructed at Beluga
between 1980 and 1985, and that Beluga Coal Company begins exporting
six million tons of coal in 1990. Through 1988, therefore, it is identical
to the first scenario in both its total population siz~e and its work camp·
settlement. The population would begin to increase in 1989, however, with
the arrival of the construction workers to build the d1ocking and loading
facilities. Then in 1990 the number of miners employed at .the site would
greatly expand, together with a corresponding increase in operating workers.
At this point, the work camp woul d begin to evol v•~ into a more normal
type of community because of its growing size and divel"Sity. Secondary
economie growth would develop 1n the area, thus the camp support staff
could be eut in half in 1990 and eliminated in 1991 as support activities
were taken over by private businesses. To estimate the size of the labor
force employed in these secondary economie activities, a multiplier of 1.5
was used in 1990 and 2. 0 in 1991. The latter fi gure--r·epresenting one
secondary worker for each primary worker--is somewhat higher than the
overall Alaska figure of 1.46. (2) since this would be a1 case of creating' an
entirely new community rather than just expanding an already existing o~e.
However, this multiplier is still considerably lower than comparable figures
for qther parts of the ~nited States (which coi'TI110nly range between 2.5 and·
3.5).{3 )
With the avail ability of more housing and community services at Beluga,
additional nonemployed dependants would also begin to arrive. Because of
Beluga•s isolated location, however, this growth would probably not be as
great as in most ether communities. Hence a multiplier of 1.4 was used to
.. estimate the number of dependants in 1990 and 1.8 in 19!91 (compared to the
standard figure of 2. 2 for Alaska as a who le as well as the rest of the
···,country).
2-11
.....
The population estimates for this third scenario are given in Table 2-3.
. . . ' ' ' ~
The total population of this new commt,mity would jump to approximately 700
in 1989 and to over 1300 in 1991. After that time it is virtually impossible
to make meaningful population estimates, since any of three different
conditions could occur: (1) with no further major economie devel'opment,
the population could stabilize at around 1300 people; (2) secondary economie
growth could continue at Beluga becauseofthe availability of coal, elec-
tricity, and land, thus increasing the community's population to 2000 or
more within a few years; or (3) industrial growth in the Cook lnlet region
or expanding export markets for coal could lead to rapid increases in the
amount of coal being mined and electricity being produced, which could
eventually increase Beluga's population to several thousand people. Cense-
,
quently, the entries in Table 2:-3 for 1992 and subsequent years are merely
question marks.
TABLE 2~3. Population Growth with the Third Scenario
for Beluga Coal Field Development
Construction Mining Opera ting Support Secondary Nonemp 1 oyed Total
Year Workers Workers workers WOrkers workers DeEendents , Population
1980 150 ----50 ----200
' 1981 300 ----90 ----390
1982 400 ----120 ----520
1983 350 30 --120 ----500
1984 200 60 90 lOO --50 500
1985 100 60 90 80 --50 380
1986 90 120 60 --50 320
1987 --90 120 60 --50 320
1988 --90 120 60 --50 320
1989 240 90 120 120 --1:30 700
1990 --220 150 60 210 .260 900
1991 ·-220 150 --310 590 1330
1992-on ? ? ? --? ? ?
2-.12
i~
,.
'~
'
..
,.
\,_,/
As long as the Beluga settlement rematned a work c:amp with 1 imited
facil ities and services,. it would .not likely attract a heavy flow of visits
from the residents of Tyonek. Si nee a road presently r·uns directly from
Tyonek to the proposed town site at Congahbuna Lake, however, it would be
i~Dll,OSsible to' prevent interaction between the two settlements. And if the
Be:\uga settlement evolved into a more complete community, this could pose
se•rious problems for Tyonek if it desired to preserve its native culture.
The consequences of this interact.ion between the two co1mmunities could be
bath beneficial and harmful for Tyonek, as will be examined in detail in
the section on Psychosocial Prospects for Tyonek.
KEY FACTORS AFFECTING BELUGA DEVELOPMENT
·~·~
A Wide variety of interrelated factors could influence whether or not
development occurs at Beluga, and if sa, in what form and at what rate. A
few of these factors appear .to be especially critical, since they could
markedly affect what happens at Beluga in the future. All of them .are
incorporated 'into. the scenarios as fixed assumptio.ns, but in reality they . .
are dynamic variables that will require more detailed e.xamination in future
S't#dies of energy development in the Cook Inlet region. These key develop-
m4t factors are: . , •
1. if and when the federal government should require electric utilities
to burn coal rather than natural gas or ail, whether this require-
ment is partial or total, the time limit for ·its implementation,
and whether any allowances are made for special circumstances
such as Beluga where adequate natural gas res•!rves are availablè
for long-term use. Under the National Energy Act, provisions are
made .for exceptions to switching requirements.. Regulations for
general application of these provisions and specifie decisions
regarding conditions in Alaska have no~ yet be!en handed .dawn.
2. the amount and rate of future industrial and Clther economie
growth in Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula that would .require
additional coal or electricity for manufacturing processes
2-13'
\
3. the amount~nd rate of population growth in Anchorage and the
Kenai Penins~a that would increase the demand for electricity
4. exP;anl)ion of mar\~ts for coal in the United<States (especia1Jy
the West Coast st\~es) or in other countries (especial1y Japan)
. .
5. whether or not an underwater power'èable were laid acrOs$ Cook
lnlet from Belùga to Kenai a~dthe arrlount of additiona1 demand
for e.lectricity st.imuHitéd by thé cable .....
6. whether or not a road were·constructed from Knik to Beluga (con~
struction of a causeway across the Knik Arm would shorten the
road distance from Anchorage to Beluga but is not necessary since
it is presently possible to drive from Anchorage to Knik)
7. if and when any industries should decide to locate plants in the
Beluga area to take advantage of the availability of coal and
electricity, as well as the energy requirements of those plants
and the sizes of their 1abor forces
8. the rate and nature of secondary economie growth that would occur
in the Beluga area if a permanent work camp or èo11111unity were
established there
9. policies and actions of the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. to promote
economie development in the Beluga area
10. policies and actions of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly
concerning development in the Beluga area; especially in regard
to·land use and schools
11. poli ci es and actions of the Tyonek Vi 1lage Council and the Tyonek
Native Corporation to ei ther resist or facil itate population
and economie growth in the Beluga area and the création of a
town at Beluga
12. pol ici es and actions of the state of Alaska to restrict or promote
population and economie growth in the Beluga area.
2-14
•
....
~....,, w
0,:
-""""'"-'-v
Most of these factors are outside the direct control of the Alaska
State government. They will be largely determined by decisions of the
U.S.' government, private businesses and organizations, and individuals.
Nevertheless, the government of Alaska could play a df!cisive role in shaping
the future of Beluga by adopting a definite policy re9arding development in
the Beluga a rea, and by establi shing programs to carry out that pol icy ~ At
one end of the pol icy spectrum; ~he state could decide! to vigorously promte
development in the Beluga area. 'Programs to support that policy might
1 ncl ude constructing the road from Kni k to Beluga prfo,r to the ti me it was
urgently needed, aiding coal lessees to locate export coal markets, providing
inducements or requirements for Chugach Electric Association to switch from
natural gas to coal, encouraging ether industries to locate there., providing
(through loans or grants) the initial capital needed to construct housing
and community facilities in the Beluga area prior to the community's
• i
becoming financially self-sustaining, and working with the Village of Tyonek'
to ensure that its autonomy and cultural heritage were protected as fully as
possible. At the other end of the policy spectrum, th1e state could decide
to oppose all development in the Beluga area, although this is relatively
unlikely considering the support it has already given to the Beluga Interagency
Task Force.
In reality, the exact nature of the state's policy toward Beluga
development will probably evolve gradually over the ne>(t several years through
a process of negotiation among all the involved parties· .. A central concern ·
throughout this negotiation process will be assigning r·esponsibility for
managing the ·various economie and social impacts and ne:eds associated with
coal development in the Beluga area.
2-15
01--------------------------------r-------
REFERENCES: DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS
1 ~ Erik J. Stenehjem and James E. Metzger, ''A Framewotk for Projecting
Emp1oyment and Population Changes Accompanying Energy Oevelgpment,n
Argonne National Laboratory, 1976. · ·· · · · · · ·· ·
2. K1ockenteger, G., 11 Impact Madel of Sub-Regional Alaskan Employment:
EconomicAnalysis.11 State of Alaska Department of Labor, 1972.
3. Argonne National .Laboratories. A Framework for Projecting Employroent
and Population Changes Accompanying Energy Development. Argonne, IL.
1976. .
~-~
'
2-16
~
."
t.._j
v
..
~~
"
REGIONAL SOCIOECONOMIClmpacts
INTRODUCTION
The regional impact area surrounding a developrnent activity is generally
defined as that area that is likely to include most of the significant impacts
associated with the project. The region that will experience most of the
socioeconomic impacts from coal development at BeluHa is limited ta Anchorage
and the Kenai Peninsula Borough in South Central Alëlska. The analysis in this
chapter excludes the immediate Beluga and Tyonek arE~as, however, since the
impacts on thosè ·areas are examined in 'greater detai'rl in subsequent chapters.
The principal conclusion that emerges from the analysis reported in this
chapter is that the socioeconomic impacts of Beluga coal development on
Anchorage and the kenai Peninsula should be quite limited in nature. Several
factors contribute ta this conclusion, the most crucial of which are the
isolated location of the Beluga coal field and the r·elatively small scale (in
regional terms) of the development anticipated in all three of the scenarios
',
sketched in the previous chapter.
Notwithstanding the paucity of data on which to base an assessment of
potential regional socioeconomic impacts, three broad categories of impacts
will be analyzed: 1) impacts associated with the regional labor force;
2) impacts associated with the market for coal and its by-products; and
3) impacts associated with the generation and distribution of revenues
associated with the development, including secondary regional economie
impacts.
The Alaskan economy has recently experienced extremely rapid growth,
spurred in part by the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline and other energy development
activitfes. This social and economie growth will undoubtedly continue in
the future, regardless of what happens at Beluga. Consequently, it is quite
difficult to forecast the regional socioeconomic impacts that might be ca1.1sed
by Beluga coal devel opment, apart from the more gener·al effects ·of rapid
2-17· .
economie growth in the region. The analysi s· reported in thfs thapter tnust
therefore be expressed in rather general terms with a considerable margin'
of uncertail'lty. The analysis uses the three development sC.en.ar'fos from .the
previous chapter, as well as existing socioeconorilîc conditions in the impact
region, as points of departure.
IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORKFORCE
The three .scenarios estimate the size of the workfo'rce, secondary · ·.·
employment, and nonemployed dependants associated with the construction and
operation of a coal-fi red generrating facflity, a coal mining and exporting
operation, and a combination of these two. The mâximum constructi'on work
force requirement in any one year under any of these scenarios is 400. These
workers woul d be drawn primarily from the 1 arge unemployed construction la bor
force pool (union labor) in Anchorage.· Sorne of them would also be drawn from
the approp.riate local unions that cover the Ke11ai Pe~insula .area. A few
workers might be hired from the native villa~e of Tyonek. Although the size
of theunemployed labor force pool is influenced by seasonal factors, as
' ' ', '•· _.' . ., ' '·· :, ' '
discussed below, more than enoughconstruction workers .should be availab]e
, . '•.' '
within the region to meet the construction work fo .. rce ne .. eds of each of the . . '' '' '
development.scenarios.
As provided by the Alaska :oepartment of tabor',' the preliminary' estimate
for 1977 mean an nua 1 nUJnber of unemp 1 oyed workers in the ci vi 1 i an la bor' force
in Anchorage, adjusted to the current populat1on survey of the u.s. Blilreau of
the Census, is 5490, representing a11 uhemployment rate.of 6.5%. Approximately
80% of the se unemp 1 oyed fi 1 ed for unemp 1 oyment · 1 rtsuranc:e·. · Of this grbup, ·
about half listed contract construction as their previous otcupa.Uon during
1977, although there is seasonal variation in this figure. Assuming that the
20% uninsuréd workers are di stri buted s'imilarly and that 45% of· the total;
unemployed were contract construction workers, thetl approximately<2500
unemployéd contrac.t construction workérs were avaHable in Anchorage doring
1977. Given estimated employment in contra ct constructi9n of 7600',, this
suggests a local ùnemployment·rate for contratt construction'Of 25%t or about
2-1.8
~
' ,_-
~
~
four times the overall unemployment rate. Moreover, the total number of
unemployed workers across all industries is projected to increaseby about
2000 over the next five years. Clearly~ there should be no need to bring in
workers from outside the Anchorage-Kenai area to meet the employment require-
ments for Beluga coal development, unless other majo1r construction projects
such as the natural gas pipeline or the Susitna Dam) were drawing on the local
Tabor force at the same time.
Si nee a 11 coa 1 mini ng associa ted wi th these devE~ 1 opme nt sc ena ri os i s
surface strip mining, it would probably not be neces~•ary to go far afield to
fi nd workers wi th speci a 1 mi ni ng ski 11 s. The ski 11 s requi red for this type
of operation are similar to many construction skills,, such as operating
bulldozers and scrapers, and could be adequately met by available construction
workers with only a minimal amount of training. The addition of a coal mi.ning
work force to the required construction work force would not raise the total
Tabor force requirement above the single-year figure of 400 workers. No other
skill or industry category would place a demand on the Tabor force equalling
~ the requirement for construction. Locally available unemployed workers woul,d
be more than adequate to meet the projected needs for· operational and other
secondary workers under the three scenarios.
. ~ .. ·· .;
The ready availability of local workers for future Beluga coaT develop-
rnent has several implications for potential socioeconomic impacts. These
projects should not induce any significant in-migration of workers from ,,
ouside the Anchorage-Kenai area. Although there r.1ight be sorne tendency' for
Anchorage workers to transfer to Kenai labor union locals in the belief·that
this would enhance their employment opportunities in the Beluga area, the~
magnitude of the potential Tabor force demand is small relative to the
available labor pool. This means that there would be little job switchi,n9 and
1 i tt le excess migration into the a rea in response to news of job opportunities ~
assuming that a large wage differential does not exist. Excess migration of.
workers responding to news of employment opportunities has been a serious
problem on past development projects in Alaska, often resulting in increas,ed
levels of local unemployment. Thus, the main regional Tabor force impacts. of
2-19
-,..,<!ll'!l;t~
Beluga coal field development would be positive in n.ature .. ·There would be
a modest decline in the rate of regional unemplayment for the duration of th'e'
project, with a commensurate increase in wage incarne available for reinvestment
in th~ r~gion and a reduction in the number ofworkers. recetvtng unetnployment
insurance payments.
these effects would be further minimizèd tb 'the extentlhat tocal resi-
dents of Tyonek were hi red for construction or ITiining jobs. · Even though there ··.
are sorne unemployed males with the requisite s'kilTs in Tybnek, few are union
members, which puts them at a competitive disadvantage for this type'of employ-
ment. However, any employment pf Tyonek résidents that did occur would reduce.
local unemployment and provide valuable skill training, bath of wMch would
.di rectly ·benefit the Tyonek cominunity.
IMPACTS ASSOCIATED ~IITH THE t-1ARKET FOR COAL
The third scenario assumes the construction of two electr:it 'ger1e'rato~s
along with the annual production of six million tons of coal for. export.
i
The major market for the export coal would almost ceFtainly be outsid~ Jnaska,
so that regional market impacts woi.fld be minimal. lf Chugatn Electric Asso~
ciation merely substitutes coal for gas in the production of electricÜy' at.
Beluga, the regional market impacts attributable to coâl development per se·
would be negligible, but there could be a significant increase in the prièe
' of electricity. On the other hand, if the availability of coal at Beluga ;
results in significantly altered energy costs and supply reliability, the
impacts of Beluga coal development on the regional economy wouM be substan-
tially greater. Chugach Electric, however, will not. volunt:arily switch from
gas to coal. Natural gas. supplies, as a by;..product of oil; development, a.re in
abund<mt supply, sufficient to meet regional ne.eds beyond the ;Year 2000~ It
' is: unJ i kely tb at heavy .indus trial us ers. of electricity, such as .the. aluminum
industry, would ever be placed on interrupted service solely becauseof
insufficient. supply of the prtmary energy source·, .be tt gas o,r .coal. ln ·
additi·on, the cost of gas. (at control}ed priees) is substantially lower than
any ·projected<price of coal.'. Thus, the substitution:ofcoal for gas <is
2-20
i.J
·;,
~
·v.~
expected to make the regional cast of electricity more than at present, ~nd
this relative cast differential would likely continue into the foresll!eable
future.
Other regional use of coal as a primary energy source could attract new
industry into the region in si tua tians where gas was not economically sub-
~ stitutable for coal. An analys1s of potential secondary'coal-based indiJstrial ' '
development of this sort is beyond the scope of this re:port but would have to
be made in arder to forecast properly the full potentia.l for regional socio-
economic impacts implied by this initial development activity. To the extent
that these secondary or derived developments should occur within the local
impact area, socioeconomic impacts on Tyonek would be e:ven more severe than
those likely to be associated with the three scenarios. The construction,of
a raad from Anchorage to Beluga would be a ma5or factor· precipitating these
1
kinds of impacts.
IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT REVENUES
The development of the Beluga coal resources and the production of
electricity from coal would significantly add to the Ke:nai Borough's tax base.
Specifically, Tax Code Area (TCA) number 54, which cont:ains Tyonek and the
Beluga coal fields, would become the source of further revenues. These would
be in addition to the substantial existing revenues obtained from ail and
gas properties situated in TCA 54. It is difficult to estimate the amount
of new revenues that would be generated under each of the three development
scenarios. · Presumably, the assessed value of the coal lands around Belug~
woul d increase, resulting in additional property tax re!venues accruing to
the Borough and the state. Cook Inl et Region, Inc. owl'1tS 1 ease holdings on
the Capps coal field and would be the recipient of roya1lties from the develop-
ment of these coal resources. Further revenues could be generated from
severance taxes and sales taxes to the extent they are levied on coal pro-
duction.
2-21
The problem of estimating regional economie impacts associated with
these revenues is limited to ascertaining the magnitude of future income flow
in the. region, though this is an important factor. The more serious problem
involves the distribution of these revenues within the Borough. While the
overall impact of i ncreased regional revenues coul d be interpreted as bene-
ficial, inequitable distribution of these benefits to vïHages, towns and
cities causes adverse social impaêts~ This problem is chara.cteristit of most
1 arge-scal e devel opment acMvities, especially energy development. The
people who suffer 1110st of the primary impacts, in this ·case the Tyonek>natives,
tend not to receive benefits adequate to compensate fo.r the negative effects.
Publ'fc revenues are typically redistribÛb~d through tfu:~ provision of··
publlc serViCes. the Kenai Borough presèntly provides three main services:
education, s6lfd waste disposal, and planning (ioning.and sobdtvisiont.~ The~
av ai labll ity of these services thr.oughout the Borough is at least .. in part l
a function of the abili ty and will ingness of. the Borough to dis tri bute. suf..:
ficient funds.for their support. To the extent that the Borough can·
effecti'vely and equitably deal with the issue of revenue redistribution, the
region could be made more attractive to business and. industry~ .. In· this· way,
coal development in Beluga could encourage growth·in the region beyond that
which wot.lld be· expected in its absence, though the separation of these effects
is extremely difficult.
CONCLUSIONS : .REGIONAL SOClOECONOMIC IMPACTS
With the present rate of· rapid growth in the Anchorage .. Kenai region as
a baseline, coal development at Beluga should have only a few small socio-: ' ' . . . ' ,. ~ .
economie impacts on the region. These would result from reductions inregiona1
unempl6yment, provision of a new regi9nal en~rgy source, and the g~neration.
of new economie revenues in the region. Although a reduction ..in unemployment
would be positive for the region, the magnitude of this effect would not be
great. As a new regional source of energy, coal would likely be more costly
than gas at its present, priee. Requiring Chug·ach Electric Association to
convert to coal would represent a financial burden to its customers because
2-22
~
~
•
"-'
of the higher priees it would be forced to charge. Re~1ionally, this would
provide a disincentive to industrial development. The greatest potential
impacts are associated with the generation of additionnl revenues to th·e
region. These could serve both to reduce absolute tax levels and to
redress existing or created regional fiscal inequities ..
2~23
SETTLEMENT REQUIREMENTS
SETT~EMENT SITES
Exi stlng Settle~nts
Tyonek is a village of sorne 270 Tanaina Athabasçans lqcated 'On .the west
. 1
side of Cook Inlet about 40 air miles west-southwest of Ançhprage. The ..
village was originally located south of its present site, but was relocated
in. the 1950s to higher ground. The settleme~t includes a store, bank, gas
station, and 66 housing Ünits and is served by a water system and electricity
from Chugach Electric Association. Most of the houstng andcolTillunity facili-
ties are located on about 90 acres of 1 and.
The Tyonek Timber Company camp is located abou.t 3 mile.s south of Tyonek
Village on. former Moquawkie reservation land. Kodiak Lumber Company is sole,
owner of the chtp mill operation, wh.ich· processes timber received from a sale
on the west side of Cook Inlet. The. chip mill ope.ration. has been temporarily
v
scaled-down because of a weakening in the Japanese market and shutdown of. . ·~ ·
the timber salvage sale. (1) There are currently ,20 peop,le at the c~mp. When
the mill was in full operation, it supported a community o( about 200 residents
that included about 30 school-aged children.
In addition to these.settlement sites, there are several oil-a~d gas-
related facil ities on the west side of Cook Inlet at Drift River, Trading Bay,
and Granite Point. Marathon 011 Company's Trading Bay facilityhas a large
dormitory building to house workers.
Three-Mile Creek Subdivison, located north of Tyonekon the coast, con:-. -,·· .. . ·-·
sists of privately owned recreational lots and covers about one-half square
mile of land area. Sorne of the lots have cabins and trailers. In addition,
fishing and hunting cabins are scattered throughout the studyarea, especiâlly
along the coast.
2-24
~·
~
Site Characteri sti cs and Land Regui rements
The land requirements for a new settlement will var·y, depending on
wnether a work camp or permanent new conmunity is planne!d.
There is very little data to substantiate the amount of land necessary
tt}.· support comnercial and residential development in are~as such as Beluga.
A,fvillage or town will typically have a small amount of corrmercial develop-·
ment to supply the local populationwith essential goods. Anchorage will
still be lik~ly to supply the majority of household goods and specialty items.
Commercial·development would tend to remain relatively small in a work camp,
but would expand in the case of a permanent conmunity to reflect ether
Al as kan towns.
Land needed for residential development will vary, according to preference
and a.vailability. The work camp described in scenarios 1 and 2
. !
would tend to be compact and dense since industry-provided housing will have'
double occupancy. If the work camp is relatively compact, up to 8 to 10 units
per acre would be accommodated. A permanent community 111ould be less dense.
Workers with families will tend to seek space and privacy and will be more
likely to build single-family, detached homes. The den:sity of subdivisions
fiJr single-family residences could range from two to six units per acre,
'
dèpending on bath the type of sewer and water system and the Kenai Peninsula·
Borough's subdivision standards.(a)
A 500-person work camp, with dormitory housing, a kitchen-dining annex,
and a recreation annex may require about 40 acres of land. A permanent
comrnunity for 1500 people, however, would likely requir~e from 600 to 1200 acres,
depending on density and design. The permanent conmunity might include a
school, recreation complex and park, clinic, and retail commercial area, in
addition to both single .. and multi-family housing.
{a1The Kenai Peninsula Borough Subdivision ordinance allows a lot size of
6ooo· square feet for single-family residences served by 'public water
and sewer. A 20,000-square-foot minimum is placed on a lot that has
on-lot systems for both sewer and water.
2-25
A number of factors affect the choice of settlement site, includi.ng
slope, drainage, soils conditions, land ownership, and access to transporta-
tion facilities. Land ownership is shawn in Figure 2-1.. The major landholders
in the Beluga study area are the state (mental health lands), Cook Inlet
Region, Inc., Tyonek Village Corporation, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
A new settlement could potentially be located on any of.these lands where
slopes and drainage characteristics are not a limiting factor.
For purposes of this analysis, several assumptions were made regarding
site suitability for development:
• A new community should not be located in an area with poor drainage
or with slopes greater than 10%.
• Based on an analysis of slope only, there appear to be sorne potential
settlement sites on State Mental Health lands to the north and northw~st
of the reservation, and northeast of Capps Field on land owned by Cook
Inlet Region, Inc. (south of Beluga Lake, north of Chichantna River,
and wèst of Beluga River):
• A new settlement is not likely to be located on the lands owned by
the Tyonek Village Corporation (former Moquawkie Reservation lands)
(see Chapter 4 of this report).
• Coastal lands northeast of the reservation may be unsuitable for
buildin9 and raad construction because of sail and drainage character-
istics. l 2)
• Land along Trading Bay, to the north and east of the McArthur River,
appears to be unsuitable for development because of sail type and
poor drainage.
• Lands west of the reservation (Township llN, Range 12W} appear to
offer the best potential for community development.
Beluga Coal Company, owned by Placer Amex Inc., has suggested an area
near Congahbuna Lake to the west of the Tyonek Reservation as a possible
settlement site. {J) This area has slopes of less than 10% and includes two
large land parcels, owned by the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Cook Inlet
2-26
' . ..~ .....,
·'·
Rl2 Rll
R 12 Rll
D
KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
LAND
MAT ANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH
LAND
WILDLIFE REFUGE
(Trading Bay and Susitna)
FORMER STATE MENTAL
HEALTH LAND
STATE GENERAL GRANT LAND
Those lands not indicated as Former
Mental Health, Tyonek Native
Corporation, or U. S. Survey are
General Grant Lands
TYONEK NATIVE CORPORATION
OWNED AND SELECTED
COOK INLET REGION, INC.
SELECTIONS
PRIVATE LANDS
[Xl 0 1.5 3 6 miles
[!J ~, --~--~~------~
Source: 1. State of Alaska, Department of
Commerce and Economie
Development, Division of Energy
and Power Development
2. Beluga Coal Company
3. CH2M HILL, Consulting Engineers
The land status designations shawn on
this map reflect the best available
information at this time and should be
confirmed.
September 1978
FIGURE Land Status: Surface Estate.
Central Beluga Coal District
2-27
llN
lON
R 14 ·
There is another proposed
dock located on the north
s1de of MCArthur River
R 13 R 12
! i
POTENT IAL
DOCK
LOCATIONS
Rll
l3N
[;]. ACCESS CORRIDOR
300' wide floating transportation
easement BJ LOGGING ROADS
0 WINTER ROAD
k-::::=:1 PROPOSED KNIK HIGHWAY
0 EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINES
1 ""' PRIMARY AIRSTRIP
ffi o,..l ___ 1.53 r _____ _::6 miles
.____.JI
Source: 1. State of Alaska, Department of
Commerce and Economie
Development, Division of Energy
and Power Development
2. Betusia Coal Company
3 · CH2M HILL. Consulting Engineors
Tt!• land status designations shown on
~·s map _reflect the best. availablë
mforma.tJoh at this ti me and should
be confJrmed.
Saptember 1978
FIGURE2-2 •. Transportation Facilities.
Central Beluga Coal District
2-28
~
'
Region, Inc. These two ownerships are shown in Figure 2-1. The borough-o\'med
land covers about an 8-square-mile area (about 5000 acres). The Cook lnlèt
Region Inc. land is just to the west and south of the borough parcel and
inciudes about 2800 acres of land. The distance from Congahbuna Lake to the
village of Tyonek is about 10 miles.
The 1 ake a rea off ers an attractive site for a new corrmunity. The re a're
views to the Inlet and the lake can be used for recreation and float-plane
landing. The area is served by existing logging roads and has easy access
to the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. transportation corridor to Capps Field. Poor
drainage may present sorne problems for developmenton the west side of
Congahbuna Lake. Drainage char~cteristics appear to be. more suitable to the
east side.
Figure 2-3 shows a conceptual layout for a. corrmunity at Congahbuna Lake
developed for Beluga Coal Company. The lake has also been suggested as the
possible site for a power plant, with lake water serving as cooling water
for the power plant, which, in turn, might increase the lake's fishery ·
potential.(:3)
HOUSING
l
Existing Conditions
Three primary settlement sites exist within the study area, including
the, village of Tyonek, thé Tyonek Timber Camp, and Marathon Oil Company's
!
Trading Bay facility.
The major housing concentration is at Tyonek Village, which has 66. housing
units (60 woodframe; 6 mobile homes). Many of the wood-frame houses are .in
need of rehabilitation. They are poorly insulated and energy inefficient.
Twenty~s~ven HUD-financed houses are planned for construction this year.
This will satisfY the immediate need for additional housing, but many young,
people in the village will sti11 want the opportunity to have their own house.
In addition, t~acher housing iS in short supply; six 'ûnits are needed~
All villaQe housing is owned by the Tyonek Village IRA Council. The
Ken~i Peninsula Borough School Distric
2-29
N
1 w
0
(.
'~·
SHOPPING AND
COMMERCIAL
HOTEL ETC.
SCHOOL
~'iii'""''''"""'''"""iif!f![ffff!!fHJ[f[ii!!~~GAHBUNA lAKE
··PLAN
0 500 1000 . 2000
FEET
1 , .
.FIGURE 2-3, Conceptual Residential Layout
ROAD TODOCK
AND PLANT
(
All village housing is owned by the Tyonek Village IRA Council. The
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District might be able to subsidize tea·chet"·
housing si~ce the district has responsibility for ~~ducation within the
borough. Once built, a program for managing the housing units would need
to be established.
Village houses are heated by electricity, whic:h is provided without
1 .; '
charge through an agreement with Chugach Electric. The contract for tne
electricity was signed in 1972 and is scheduled to expire when the village
has used a total of 50 million kVh. At current rates of use (under 5 million
kVh per year), this is ·likely to occur between 1982 and 1984.
1
The costs of heating with ,electricity are higher than those assocjated
with oïl heat, and village residents may find it diifficult to pay for the
e1ectricity when the contra.ct with Chugach Electric: expires. The new ho'using
units will have oil-fired, forced-air heating syste!ms, with fuel purchased
from Tyonek Timber. The older units can be converted from electric to oil
heat, but at a cost of at least $2000 per unit.
Housing is also located about 2 miles from thE! village at Tyonek Timber
Camp. The camp has six 20~person bunkhouses, five 3-bedroom modular hOmes,
about 12 trailers, and six duplexes. This number Clf units i.s capable of
housing about 200 individuals.
Marathon Oil Company has one dormi tory buildir11g with a capacity of about
60 people at their Trading Bay facility. There are: several trailers at
Granite Point, and both trailers and cabins at the Three-t4ile Creek recre-
ational subdivision. In addition, small shacks and shelters are scattered
along the coast at private fish sites.
Housing Reguirements
The coal development scenarios presented at tlhe beginning of the chapter
suggest two possible types of settlement: a perment work camp and a small., community.
The first and second coal development scenarios described
would establish a permanent work camp at Beluga. In 'the''first scenario
for coal-fireQ generating plants, the first-year (1980) labor force is
\
2-31'
composed of lOO construction workers to prepare the plant site and 50 workers
to build the permanent work camp. About 50 support workers are projected to
be needed initially. The total first-year population is projected to be 200,
rising to 500 i.n 1983-84, and declining to 320 from 1986 on.
Because the Beluga area is isolated from other development, this scenario
assumes that none of the construction workers would bring any depen:dents who
would not also be employed. The mining, operating, and support workers.mi'ght
bring nonemployed dependants with them, but very few are expected.
The pril)lary means of housing for construction workers and support per-
sonnel is typically mobile home~, modular houses, or prefabricated, dormitory-
like sleeping structures in a permanent work camp. The permanent work ,eamp
would contain all housing, service, and recreation facilities needed by the
labor force. Based on the design of much construction camp housing, we have
assumed an overall average of two persans per housing unit. Sorne units with
single occupancy may be built for executive quarters, but most workers are
1ikely to be housed in double occupancy rooms. The number of housing units
projected for the work camp is based on two persans per unit for construction
workers and a small number of four-persan families among the permanent workers.
Estimates of projected housihg 4emands are presented in Table 2-4.
TABLE 2-4. Projected Housing Demand for the First Scenario
Year PoRulation
1980 200
1981 390
1982 520
1983 500
1984 500
1985 380
1986·on 320
2·32
Dormi tory
Units
100
195
260
250
220
160
130
3-4
Bedroom
Family
.Uni ts
15
15
15
:~
'· .1 ~
i
The total population in the second scenario (coal exporting) is the same
as in the first development scénario beginning in 1989. The permanent<:work
camps are expected to be si mil ar, except that in the second scenario the
temporary 11 bulge 11 of 500 persans would not have to be accommodated. The
estimate of units needed would be about 160 from 1989 on.
Portable ATCO-design prefabricated structures have often been used for
construction" camp housing in Alaska. These are typically single-storystruc-
tures with segmented, 2-person sleeping rooms off a main hallway that connects
to lavatories. These dormitor~-like complexes can 1range in size from a 4-
to a 400-person unit. This type of sleeping structure was typical of pipe•l ine
construction ca~ps.
Families can be accommodated in prefabricated :2-and 3-bedroom modul.ar
homes or mobile homes. This is typical for family housing at many lumber.
camps and was used at Valdez during pipeline construction.
A prefabricated kitchen annex and recreational annex are likely to be
included as part of the construction camp. Most bu1ildings will be wood-
frame on a steel chassis with steel roof and siding with baked enamel
finish.
The cons truc ti on ma teri a 1 s can either be ba rged to the site or trans ... ·
por;ted by airplane. Barging may require a temporary dock and roadway.from
the dock to the camp site. Barges can also be off-loaded onto the beach.
For; construction camp development at Beluga, materhls could be trucked from
Anchorage to Kenai and then barged across Cook Inlet. to Trading Bay or the.
Tyonek Timber dock. Materials could also be barged directly from Anchorage
or Seattle. A rough cost estimate (in 1978 dollars) for work-camp housing
is $250,000 for a 52-person sleeping complex and $700,000 for a 500-person
kitchen-dinins facility.
The third scenario, which combines generating plants with coal export,
is identical to the work-camp scenarios through 1988 in terms of total popu-
lation and size of the work-camp settlement. The popula~ion begins to
increase in 1989 as construction workers arrive to begin work on the docking
2-33
and loading facilities. Mining and operating workers increase rapidly in ·
1990. By 1990, the ''permanent work camp" will develop into a corrmunity, with
ancillary businessesll services, and facilities.
For the purpose of projecting housing demand, we have assumed that the
construction workers will all 1 ive· in two-person units (as in the previous
scenarios). A few nonemployed dependents would accompany mining, operating!l
and support workers through 1988, as in the fi rs t two sc ena ri os. After 1988,
there would be a diversity of household sizes, including single persans,
couples, and families with children.
To project the demand for permanent housing, we have estimated a possible
mix of housing types based on thel nonconstruction worker population and on
what construction companies are li kely to build. After .1989, demand for
dormitory housing wi.ll cease. In 1990, we have assumed a demand for about
100 3-to 4-bedroom houses, 225 2-bedroom units, and 50 1-bedroom units. The
number of fami,lies with children is expected to increase in 1991, requiri·ng,
additional 3-to 4-bedroom housing units. Projected housing demand by t,Ype
of unit is shawn in Table 2-5.
TABLE 2-5. Projècted Housing Demand for the Third Scenario
2-34
~
·~
SCHOOLS
Existin<l Conditions ,·
Bob Bartlett School serves grades K through 12 and is ffnanced and
managed by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Schoo1 District. Located at the
village of Tyonek, it is the only school servi11g the1 Beluga are.a. The school
has four regu1ar classrooms, a home-economies suite, and a portable classroom,
for a total capacity of 240 students. (4 ) . ·
Enrollment history and school district projections are presented in
Table 3-3. The total 1976-1977 enrollment was 108, with 75 in grades K..:·8,
and 33 in grades 9-12. As of May 1978, 98 students were enrolled and 7 teachers
(5 regular and 2 cultural resource teachers) were employed. The Borough•s
1977 school-construction report indicates that no facilities other than a
new home-economies suite need to be provided during the 5-year period ending
in 1982.
When the Tyonek Timber Compaoy mill was in full operation, approximately
20 children were bussed from the camp to the village to attend the schoo1.
TABLE 2-§. Pupil Enrollment and Projections
Bob Bartlet School, Tyonek{a)
School
Vear . K-8 9-12 Total --
1972-73 '76 21 97
1973-74 65 22 87
1974-75 73 18 91
1975-76 87 28 115
1976-77 ; 75 33 108
1977-78 82 34 116
1978•7·9 90 34 124
1979~80 ' 95 37 132
1980-81 103 38 141
1981-82 llO 41 151
mKenai Peninsula Borough School District, Enrtollmènt .
· , Projections and Schoo1 Construction Reporr;-April 1977.
2-35.
School Reguirements
The permanent work-camp situations described in scenarios 1 and 2 (seè
Chapter 1) are expected to inc1ude few, if. any, school-aged children .. The .
possibil ity of a 11mited number of schoo1-aged children should be anticipated,
however, and ways to provide for their educationa1 needs should be ccmsidered.
At its maximum 1 evel of operation, the Typnek 1 umber camp had. a ratio of
about 0.10 school children per adult. ·If this ratio is applied to the mining,
operation, and support workers i.n scenarios 1 and 2, a possible. schoo1 popu-
lation of 30 students for the wo,rk-camp situation is derived.
Even in the third coal development scenario, where a· permanent community
is anticipated, a lower than average pupil-per-household ratio,should be used
to estimate numbers of school chi1dren. Few school-aged children are likely
to arrive unti1 1989, when the number of nonemployed dependents wo.uld begin
increasing and secondary workers would begin arriving to pr.ovide services.
Total housing (nondormitory) units are expected to .reach 310 in 1989, 375 in
~
,.
1990, and 475 from 1991 on. \wÎ
The current pupil-per-household ratio in the Kenai Borough is 0.74, but
the isolated nature of the Beluga sett1ement is expected to dis.courage
families with schoo1 children from moving to the new sett1ement. A gradually
increasing pupil-per-household ratio has been used instead to estimate numbers
of school-aged children. (a)(5) For 1989, a ratio of 0.3 yie1ds appr.oximately
90 pupi1s; for 1990, a ratio· of 0.4 yie1ds 150 pupi1s; from 1991 on, a ratio
of 0.6 yields 285 pupils. Assuming a class size of 20 pupi1s with one
teacher per' c1ass, 5 to 14 classrooms and teachers wouldbe required to
serve their needs. (b)(G) .· · .
. .
The educationa1 needs of school-aged children·in the Kenai Peninsula
can be met in a variety of ways, depending on the number and location of
the pupils to be served. The school board of the Kenai Borough School
District is rèsponsible for making final decisions on such matters. Several
options are listed below:
2-36
~
• New pupils could be accommodated at the existing school at Tyonek.
' .
• A school could be constructed at a new settlement site.
• Portable classrooms could be used to handle a temporary peak in school
enrollment during construction periods.
• Pupils could be enrolled in correspondance classE!S through the school
dis tri ct.
The Bob Bartlet School facility has the potentiall to serve another
100 pupils given its current cap~city and enrollment trends. For students
1
to attend the Tyonek School, however, roads and bus tt~ansportation must be
established from the new settlement to Tyonek. If a new school were built
at the settlement site, it would probably be a prefabt"icated structure
similar to the ATCO-designed dormitory housing.
The decision of whether to send children to the I?:Xisting school at Tyonek
or to cons truc t a new schoo 1 wi 11 be based on a numbe1r of factors. The number
of school children associated with a work camp would probably not justify the
cost of new school construction, although a school mi!~ht be bui1t to serve
the combined needs of the lumber camp and the coal development work camp~
On the other halid, a full-scale corrmunity in the Beluiga area (scenario 3)
would almost certainly require a new school facility. Another important
considerat-ion is the attitude of Tyonek vi llagers tow1ard use of thei r school
' ' j f
by nonnatives. Issues related to this concern are discussed in the sections
whi ch· fo 11 ow. ',
Correspondance courses are an alternative that should be explored if
only a few children are associated with a work-camp situation. The Kenai
Borough School District currently has one of the 1 arg~est correspondance
programs. in the state, with over lOO students participating.
2-37
POLICE, FlRE, AND EMERGËNCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Police Services
Police services in the Beluga area are provided by the.Alaska State
Troopers through a resident constable. The cons tab 1 e serves the a rea from ·
thë Beluga power station south to Trading Bay, incl uding .the oi 1 and gas
facilities at Trading Bay and Granite Point and the lumber mill camp near
Tyonek ... A four-wheel drive vehicle is used by the constable to J)atrol the
area and an airplane is available to fly the area if the need arises~
The constable at Tyo~ek has the time and ability to.handle an additional
number. of complaints and other police activity, but the point at whichp()pu-
lation increases will require the state troopers to add another policeman is
difficult to estimate.
A need for additional police officers in the Beluga area will definitely
be generated by the combined activity of the village, the Tyonek lumber camp,
v
and any settlement associated w.ith coal field development. ln ~nost cases, .·.
the state. tr.oopers wait to add staff unti.l the new. position can be justified ~
by increasing population numbers. During construction of the Alaska pipeline,
however, police service needs were anticipated and additional troopers were
assigned to affected areas in advance of actual population increases.
ln a work-camp.situation, the troopers encourage private companies to
hire their own staff for internal security. The troopers are then available
to provide emergency assistance. The temporary assignment of additionaT
troopers to. the area is another option, especially i.f· camp activity is short-. ' '--. '., ,-,_ . ,·' . '. :'
term or seasonal. In the Beluga area, this would involve assigning staff
from the Soldotna regional office of the state troopers.
A permanent community of 700 to 1400 residents. in the. Beluga area is
likely to require a full-time police officerjust to serve .local community·
needs. The city of Seldovia, with a population of 600 and no raad access to
' -:
the other Kenai Peninsula cities, has one police officer and police car.· The
Kenai Peninsula cities of Kenai and Soldotna maintain a ratio of about two
police officers per 1000 residents. (G)
2-38
. •. 1 ~··
The method of providing police services to a new community in the Beluga
area will depend somêwhat on whether the community inc:orporates as a city •
. A rough estima te of police manpower requirements can be obtained by applying
a ratio of 1.5 policemen per 1000 residents to the projected population under
coal development scenario 3. <7> These estimates are shown in Table 2-7.
TABLE 2·7• Police Service Projections for the Thi rd Scenario
.Y.lli.
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
. 1990
1991
Population
200
390
520
500
500
380
320
320
320
700
900
1330
Pt:>1 ice
Of:ficers
0.3
0.6
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.4
2.0
If the new community does not incorporate, the present constable can
pro~ably handle the increased work load until 1989. During the years 1982-84,
however, he may require sorne staff assistance from the Soldotna office of
the state troopers.
Fire Protection
No publicly provided fire protection services are currently available
in the Beluga area except through the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau
of Land Management. However, a work camp would typically have its own fire-
fighting equipment on hand. A permanent community of 1400 residents would
require sorne fire-fighting capability and equipment of its own.
Estimates of staff and equipment needs can be ba.sed on the experience
of other Kenai Peninsula towns. The city of Seldovia, with 600 residents,
has 24 volunteer firemen, 2 pumper trucks, and a jeep. pumper. Soldotna,
2-39
with about 2500 residents has 3 paid staff, 20 volunteers, 2 pumper trucks,
and 2 tankers. Fire services may also be provided through a borough servicé
area. An example is the Nikiski fire service area, which serves a 33-square-
mile area, including the unincorporated residential and industrial area north
of the city of Kenai on the east side of Cook Inlet. The service area has
2 fire stations, a paid staff of 19, 20 volunteers, and trained emergency
medical technicians. One pumper and tanker are located at each station.
F.ire protection needs for cities of all sizes are based upon the wate.r
flow in gallons per .minute that may be required. According to the Nàtional
Fire Protection Association, one pumper truck (plus supporting units) is
required, in general, for each 500 gallons per minute (gpm). (7) ReqUired
water flow by community population size is presented in table 2..:s.
TABLE 2-8. Water Flow Requi rements for Fi re Protection
In Million Water Flow
In Gallons Gallons Pumper Ouration In
Population Per Minute Per Da,x Trucks Hours
1000 1000 1.44 2.0 4
15.00 1250 1.80 2.5 5
2000 1500 2. 1'6 3.0 6 >' \
3000 1750 2.52 3.5 7
Health Care and Emergency Medical Services
The state troopers are responsible for supervising rescue operations
for emergency situations in the Beluga area. Medical evacuations are usually
accomplished by private charter plane. The RCC (U.S. Air Force) also handles
sorne emergency evacuations.
Health care services are available to the residents of Tyonek 'through
a medical center located in the vi 11 age. The fa eni ty handl es bath medica 1
and dental work and is staffed by a resident, licensed practical nurse.
Emergency medical care is received at the ANS hospital in Anchorage.(B)
The clinic also has a community health aide (and alternate) provided through
2·40
{ l'
"J
,..~
\._
..:..0
the U.S. Public Health Service. The heal.th aide may provide services to
nonnatives on an emergency basis only. Nonnatives are billed for the
service. (9)
The Kena; Borough•s .Central Hospital service are:a encompasses over
1000 square miles of land on both the east and west side of Cook Inlet. On
the west side of Cook Inlet, the service area extends~ from Beluga River tQ
Drift River, including the study area. A 32-bed hospital is located at
Soldotna.
The health care needs of a work camp of 300 to SOO workers could be
met in several ways. The camp could train or hire its own paramedics or
obtain the services of a resident nurse or doctor. Tyonek Timber Company,l
for example, has its own paramedics at the lumber camp. Emergency medical·
situations could be handled by air evacuation ·to either the Soldotna hospital
or a hospital in Anchorage. A small clinic could aho be built at the work-
camp site. Prefabricated first-aid units are availalble and can be barged
to the site. A 14-bed, 58-foot by 56-foot unit costs about $125,000 in
1 978 do 11 ars .
A permanent community of 1000 or more without road access should have
its own resident doctor, nurse,~ and clinic. Needs for hospital and c11nic
facilities and staff are usually based on the expected number of patients,
but, a rule-of•thumb 11 bed multiplier 11 is 4.0 to 4.5 beds per 1000 population.(?)
RE.CREATION NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
For either a work camp or a community, adequatE! opportunities for both
indoor and outdoor recreation must be provided. Libraries, parks, commiJnity
centers, restaurants, bars, and shops all help to mE!et recreational needs.
Sorne problems were encountered during pipeline construction in those camps
that did not provide adequate recreation opportunitiles. Studies of energy ·
development communities elsewhere in the United States have also demonstrated
that a lack of recreation facilities and services céln contribute to stress
2-41
and mental health problems, especially for nonemployed dependants. In
addition, worker productivity may decline if opportunities for rest and
relaxation are absent.(lO) .
Recreation needs in a work-camp setting can be met in several ways ..
Work schedules might be arranged on .a 11 three-weeks..,on, one•week-.off 11 basis,
with transportation provided to Anchorage (or elsewhere) during the off..,.
period. The camp operators could also provide a recre.:1tion annex om;ite,
including indoor exercise facilities, informal meeting space, reading mate-
rials~ and a bar.
Business opportunities will generate restaurants and other retail estab-
lishments in a permanent small city. In addition, residents will wantto
develop a range of faèilities, including libraries and parks. Req~irements
for park and library space will vary depending on the expectations and
desires of community residents. General standards for small rural· communi-
ties indicate that a 1 ibrary facil ity for a populati<m of lOOO should •have ·
a miniml,lm.of ôOOO square·feet, 10 patron seats, and 3000 ta 4000·volumes.
The facili ty shoul d be open at 1 east 20 hours per week at fixed times. (7)
Bookmobiles (in this case, airpla.nes) may also be used to provide library
services ta an isolated area. If a school is built ta serve the community,
the school 1 ibrary might also be designed ta serve. the adult. population.
The need for pa rks wi 11 be i nfl uenced by the cha racter of the 1 ëmq
surrounding the settlement site and the opportunities it offers for outdqor
recreation--hi king, picnicking, and sa forth. In any case, park space within
the city for children is undesirable. Community-based park facilities are
generally of three types: playgrounds (about 3 acres), neighborhood parks
(about lO acres), and community parks (about 60 acres). A new community in
the Beluga area of 700 to 1400 residents could require a total .of about
4 acres of park space. Parks might include play apparatus, a baseball
diamond~ and tennis courts.(l)
2-42
-·-'""\ v
~
""'-
"'-'
WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM$
Existing Systems
Existing water sources for the village of Tyonek, the Tyonek Timber
Company and the Tradipg Bay are described below.
Village of Tyonek
The existing water source for the village is a nE!arby lake.{a) The
former ground water supply was abandoned because of its high iron content
(with manganese).
The water system, which inçludes an infiltration gallery and pump house,
was installed by the village in 1976. The lake water is chlorinated, stored
in a tank, and ftltered with activated carbon before loeing delivered to the
underground distribution system~ which was completed in 1972 under an EDA
contract. A previous groundwater well was developed in 1964 by the u.s.
Public Heal th Service, but i s used only for public water supply .. Each house
and the school is served by the distribution system. The 27 new housing .
~ .
units planned for the village by Cook lnlet Housing Authority will be con-
nected to the distribution system.
Several water system problems were identified in a reci:lnt Public Health
Service survey:{ll)
• The chlorinator is not working properly.
• The activated carbon supply needs to be replenished.
• The lake level is very low, primarily because of extensive winter
pumping to keep waterlines from freezing.
The report also identified other potential water sources, including
Second Lake, Chuitna River, and Bunka Lake. Water qlllality tests indicate
mwater quality, prior to treatment, has the followilng characteristics:
Fe (Iron)
Hardness
Total Dissolved Solids
2-43
O. 2 mg/t
9.0 mg/t as Caco 3 10.0 mg/t
that bath Rainbow and Second Lakes are low in iron and should be good water
sources. The Public Health Service is investigating future water-source
development.
The primary method of wastewater disposal is septic tanks with sub-
surface leach fields; sorne cesspools are also used. The septic tanks were
installed in 1965, have a capacity of 200 to 400 gallons, and are constructed
of law-grade steel. Sorne of the tanks are rus ting. (ll)
Th.e sail s h.ave a gravel base, making them good for. subsurface di spo~al.
The problems that have developed with the onsite systems are probably a
result of the small size of the tanks and inadequate maintenance.
An uhfenced sanitary landfill is located 4.2 miles from the yillage. · ·
The Kena.i Peninsula Borough is in the pr:-ocess of establ ishing a new laf1dfill
' . • ' ' ' ; • . .. ' • • ,., è ,. . "
for the vi nage, but i t may be a year before all appro~a 1 s a~e obtained. . .
Tyonek . Ti mber Camp
Water is supplied from three wells, which ha~e been adequate to·support
200 people to date; no water shortages ha.veoccurred. The water. contair:ts
an excessive amount of iron and barely meets water quality standar;ds.
However, no bacteria problems exist.
Water is distributed through an underground system that requires standard
maintenanc,e. No winter freezing problems have been encountered.
Septic tanks with perforateq-pipe drainfie1ds are used for waste di.s-
posal. The systems have required normal maintenance; no special problems
have develo·ped .. The soils ·:.(consisting of a gravel base, covered with a few
feet of sandy l~am and sorne clay) are good for subsurface d~sposaL -
Trading Bay
Water 1S supplied from ·wells at Marathon OH Company• s Trading Bay
faciHty and no shortages have occurred. Septië tanks with drain fields
have also been used with very few problems.
2-44
·~
Reguirements
To project water demand and system requirements for conmunities asse-·
ciated with Beluga coal-field development, we have assumed a demand of
70 gallons per capita, per day (gpcd) for a resident ~rork camp(a) and
90 gpcd for.a permanent conmunity. We have also assumed that 100% of the
total w~ter supplied becomes sewage.
The first coal development scenario (generating plants only} estimates
an initial population of 200 in 1 1980, or a water demand of 14,000 gallons
per day (gpd}, that must be supplied, treated, and di~•posed of. In the
peak year (1982), a 36,400-gpd capacity is required. This demand declines
in 1985, and the system requirements from 1986 on should be capable of
hand1ing about 23,400 gpd.
In the case of coal export only (scenario 2}, water demand is likely
to remain fairly constant, ranging from 21,000 gpd in the first year to
23,400 gpd from 1990 on.
Water demand for the third scenario is initially quite similar to
scenarios 1 and 2. Water supply, treatment, and di sp1osal systems must
acconmodate 21,000 gpd in 1980, rising to about 36;0010 gpd in 1982-84, and .
then declining to abou~ 23,000 gpd in 1988. Estimates for 1991 and after
assume a permanent comniunity with a 90-gpd demand; or a total daily demand
of about 120,000 gallons.
Water Availability
Water to meet the demands of a work camp or permanent settlement can be
supplied from either surface water or ground water sources. Potential .
surface water supply sources in the Beluga area include. the Beluga River,
with an average flow of 2400 cubic feet per second (cfs), and the Chuitna
River (about 5 miles northwest of Tyonek), with a minimum flow of 60 cfs.
Water
1
quality data indicate that Chuitna River water would be acceptable
for dr1nking with minimal treatment. (b) ,
(a) Based on the experience at Alyeska pipeline construction camps.
(b) USGS surface flow and well records for several l<J1cations in the
Beluga area are contained 1n the Appendix •.
2-45
System Alternatives
·The alternatives available for meeting the water supply and wastewate'r
disposal needs of new settlements include onsite systems, new community
\ ' < ; ' 1 . '' i ~~-;
s,ystems, and expansion of existing systems.
Onsite Systems
Onsite systems (wells and septic tanks) wiJl function wel1 if good
soj]s and adequate separation (about 4 feet)are available betwee.nthe.
. . . . ' ' ' ' .' ' ; ' : ' ' -: ' ' -' . ; ' .' : . ' ;_ ;-" ~. -
leaching bed and the wa.ter table. In gener:al,. areas .sui table for ~UQ$Urface
> ' , . ' ' -' ' ' '' -., -. . ' . .. -" ' '
dispp~al ~,ystems have graval and ether perme(lble soils.
Onsite systems are best used where residential lot sizes are 20,000 ta
40,000 square,feet. When QOth.indiyidual ~~ns and septictanksare
employed, the minimum ,lotsizeshould be 4o,Ôoo squar~ 'tee'!;; whe~ water is
', ~-• '<"-, • . . • ' ' ' ': ., . ,. ; • : : '·! ;_: :: :· ' ":_ ~ ' .. '. '
supplied through a community systell], b~t w~ste disp<;>s,al is .Qrysi1;e,. a
20,.000-squëire-f~ot mini~um lot siz~ is desir~bl~.fll)' ,. ..
'· '., • . • '-1-' .•.
. Mul,tifamily .residences {including W()t;k c~mp dor,mi 1tor;ie.s (inq b~~~~ouses)
are les,s suitecl 1;ha~ single-famïlY re~idenç:es, for: ogsite 'waS,te ~js,pos~I!
', ,. • "; y -. 1 ' ', • ' ; \ -:: >:.· • ·,: ' ,' . -.. ·~· .· '
LarQe qu~ntitje~.of was,t,ewate~.m~st ... ~~.dispp~ed of,t req~.tripg,.}~r,~e.s7~~tc
tanksandleachfields. ..... · · ... · · · .· ..•. ·.·. ··· ··
• "~ ', ' • "' ' . \ 1 ' -:;•j
Comrouni.ty Water and Sewer Systems ·. \
I{'onsite disp6sal f!i nôt p:dssible, :either'bècaos~':of ~dvef~è' sôi1 '
conditioh's or living unit configuration, community water and sewer syst~ms
must,.be developed.
· A water· treatrrlent plant ;may be·. reqûired·~ especiâlly ln the èasEFof a··.
permàriênt .. édmrtiurii ty.' <The 1 ength ·of wàter transmisii:o~ ma iris wi il vâfy,' ..
based or( tHe plant l'écati on in relation to the supply source. Small, out-
lyi ng ,communities of •low density are. l ikely to.:ha:ve :deep~wen systems 1 ocated
adjacent ,ta t~eatment<plants and distr.ibution points and,.·.:tnu:s, do not~require
transmission mains.
Water-savi ng fi xturès shoul d be a 'part of the commun'itY watér systêJTI~'
and their use should be encouraged. They will help ta decrease the total
water demand of a new settlement.
2-46
"-/
~
'-'
For sewage treatment, the system should be as simple as regulatory
agencies will allow, while still maintaining adequate •~ffluent discharge
quality and receiving water quality. Types of sewage treatment systems,
in order of preference, are listed below:(a)
1. facultative lagoon (requires the greatest land area of the
alternatives)
2. aerated lagoon
3. mechanical systems (biological: activated sludge, RBS, ABF; or
physical/chemical).
Di scharge of sewage to a stream wi 11 requi re appr·ova1 from EPA an~ the
Alaska Department of Envi ronmental Conservation. Di sc:harge to Cook Inlet
is another possibility if the new community is located close to the Inle.t.
This would not be feasible for a community in the Conç1ahbuna Lake area
because the distance to the Inlet is too great to makE! it economically
feasible.
For solid waste disposal, the sanitary landfill method tends to work
best, especially for a publicly used and operated system. In most cases,
incineration is uneconomical when compared with sanitary landfill disposal.
If the flow of solid waste can be carefully controlled (as in an industry-
operated work camp), an incinerator might be an economical alternative.
Expansion of Existing Systems
A new ~omnunity in the Beluga area is unlikely to be able to use ~xisting
water systems to serve its needs. For example, the present Tyonek water .·
supply system is too remote to be used by a community next to Congahbuna
Lake.
\a1 For a brief description of each of these system types·, see Appendix.
2-47
TRANSPORTATION AND POWER
Existing Systems
Exjsting road, air, and shi.pping.,transportation, f~dHti~s ~s well as
power supplies are described below.
: Roads
Mast of the road system in the Be 1 uga a rea·· has bèem deve 1 dpèd ·· by Tyonek
. Timber Company in the form of' logging' roads that connetf Granite Po1~t,
Tyonek, Nicolai Creek, Kaloa, North Foreland, and Beluga. There are about
lOO miles of primary and secondary roads. These roads are in good condition,
especially the main roads (see Figure 2-3).
The main logging roadextends approximately 16 miles northwest of
Congahbuna Lake to within 8 miles of Capps Coal Field~. Most roads are·sand,
overlain with gravel, and require no special maintenance·; The roads are
retopped fbllowing breakup.
Road rights-of-wày (lOO feet Wide) 'arè éstablished along the section
li nes of a11 state land (or land acquired 'firom. the state) •. All ether land
has a 66-foot,right•of-way along section lines. Sorne legal questions have
been ra.ised about how tMs right,..of-way provision applies. to hnd · "reserved
for publk use. 11 No rights•of-\IJay are associated with the network of 1()gging
roads. ·Access· was permitted as part •of 'the state • s ·timber sa 1 e, con tract wi th
Tyonèk Timber Company.
Beluga and Anchorage are not connected by a year-round raad; however a
wi nte.r road has been used in the pas t wh en the Sus i tna Ri ver was fro~en. The
raad ~as origin~lly constructed to carry large, heavyequiptnent to the area,
but 'i t has not been used for the 1 as t two wi nt ers. (a) "
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has
1'' ~
studied the Beluga area and developed plans for river trossings and rdadways.
A proposed highway would run from the Moqtiawkiè Reservation to Goose Bay
(about 65 miles), crossing the Susitna and BèlugaRivers. An existing road
,J
ta) During the 1975-1976 winter, the Susitna River'did not freeze''over.
2-48
v
~
'-!
already connects Goose Bay to Knik (10 miles), Knik tc• Wasilla (19 miles),
and Wasilla to Anchorage (47 mi1es). The approximate location of the road
i s shown in Figure 2-2. ·
The proposed highw.ay is not. likely to b.e construc:ted in the near futu"'-e,
primarily beca.use the economie .benefits to be derived from it do not justify
the construction costs. The river crossing alone would cost an estimated
$250 million (1978 dollars). This may be comparéd wi1ch an annual state
highway budget of a little over $100 million. The prj)posed highway may
. become more attractive as addi~ional projects for rest)Urce and industrial
development in the Beluga area (aluminum smelter, coal generating plants,
etc.) are proposed or become feasible.
Airport Facilities
Four primary airstrips are located in the Beluga area: at the Belugâ'
power plantsite, Tyonek Village, Kaloa, and Granite Point •. Characterist;ics
of these four strips are described briefly:(a) ·
• Beluga: 5000feet, gravel surface, landing lights, good condition
• Tyonek: 3500 feet, gravel surface, landing lights, good condition.
• Kaloa: 5000 feet, gravel surface, landing lights, good condition_.
• Granite Point: 3500 feet, gravel surface, poorly maintained.
Other airstrips in the ar~a include a poorly maiintained 3500-foot City
Services Oil Co. field, 8 to 10 miles west of Beluga;~ a 1700-foot airstrip
in good condition at North Foreland thatwill handle a Sky Van; and several
light aircraft strips, including two 900-foot strips at Capps Field. (J) ,
All airfields in the Tyonek-Beluga area are privately owned andmai~:
tained. Use of the airstrips requires permission of the owners ...
'(à1 Airstrip length requiremerits vary by type of airtcraft. 8oth the Sky Van
and Titan need about 2000 feet of runway.-A C-1:30 requires close to
5000 feet. (A Titan will ho1d 10 people, or can be .converted to cargo
only up to 3500 poünds. A Sk~ Van wi11 hold 10 to 12 people or 3000 to
3500 pounds of èargo. A C-1j ls a lar9e, 4-engine, turbo-prop plane,
much larger than the Titan and Sky Van.)
2-49
Dock Facilities
,AJ466-foot dock at North Foreland is the only dock located in the
'" .· .. \'
Beluga area. Owned by Tyonek Timber Company, it has 685 feet of berthing,
space and a water depth of 36 feet at mean low water. The largest ship to
dot'k at North Foreland was 607 feet long and 45,000 metric tons. The dock
woul:d', need to ex tend about 3700 feet from shore to reach a 60-foot depth.
.. .
The dock is used from April to November, depending on shipping schedules.
No unusual maintenance has been required to date with respect to ice or
current problems.
Power
Chugach Electric Association operates a large, gas-fired generating
plant at Beluga with a present capacity of 297.7 megawatts (MW) and ·a planned
capacity in 1979 of 362.1 MW. (l) Chugach Electric supplies power to Three-
Mile Creek Subdivision, the village of Tyonek, the Tyonek limber Company~
and others. Transmission line location is shown in Figure 2-3.
The village of Tyonek constructed a Hl MW generating plant sorne years
ago to bè run with gas from two prospective wells. \4hen these wells faÙed
to produce, the generating plant was sold to Chugach Electric Association
în 1972 for $447,500, a contract was negotiated to supply Tyonek with
! 50 million kilowatt hours (kWh). Tyonek has used somewhat less than
5 miflion kWh per year since 1972.
Reguirements
Future power and transportation requirements are discussed in the
fol lowil1g. sections.
~
Power for a work camp in the Beluga area could be supplied from the . . .
existing Beluga generating station, especially during the initial con-
struction phase of coal field development. If coal-fired generating plants
are constructed in the Beluga area (scenario 1), these could eve.ntually
supply the work camp with electricity. Standby generators should also be
available in case of a power or transmission line failure.
2-50
"'-''
A pennanf!nt coomunity of 1300 people or more (as projected in scenario 3)
c~~Jd eventually be suppl ied with power from a coal-fi red genera ting st~ti=on,
dep~nding to sorne extent on its distance from the corrmunity. Power would.
prg~ably be available from.the Beluga generating station during the initial
Pi~es of comunity development.
;..{<\>.,
A peak demand of 2.0 to 2.5 kW per household can be used to estimate
minimal power requirements for a small, isolated residential conmunity. (a)
For the community described in scenario 3, a 1500-kW-demand load should be.
anticipated. This would be adequate to serve residences, small businesses,
and a school but would not supply the power needs of an.v .heavy industry in
the area. The potential 1500 kW demand is an almost in:significant percentage
. '
of the Beluga generating station's eventual 400-megawatt capability.
Airport Facilities
A 3500-foot airstrip can support a work camp of 200 to 500 people if
barging is also relied on to bring in construction materfal, equipment, and
other bulky goods. Currently, all people, and most goods, are transported
t\the Beluga area by air. Sorne goods are also shippedl by small barges.
J A permanent comunity of 1300 people or more will likely require at
lliast a 5000-foot airstrip with adequate lighting and ët building for
travelers and cargo.
Dock.Faci1ities
Dock facilities will be required to export coal f1rom the Beluga area.
Coal transport ships must have a water depth of 65 feet at low tide in
which to maneuver and take on cargo. (3) A barging operation requires less
depth; a 1oaded barge draws from 18 to 30 feet, depending on its size. (l 3)
Placer Amex, Inc. investigated a number of potential harbor sites Jor
dock facilities on the west side of Cook Inlet between West Foreland and
North Fore1and. The thr~e potential harbor sites that were identified are
h • F. ~·· .(3) s own 1 n 1 gure ~---2.
(il CH2M HILL estimate.
2-5l'
One site is adjacent to the Tyonek Timber Cpmpany dock ~t t4orth Foreland;
access to the doc·k woul cl be through Tyonek vi 11 age 1 and$. The ether two si tes
are" adJacent to state ... QWned lands at Granite Point and Trading Bay.
The shprtest distance to 66•foot depths is at N<:>rth Foreland (about
3700 feet from shore). The distance at Granite Point iS over 8000 feet and
over lZ,OOO f~et at Trading Bay. These lengths anume that berthing m~;~st be
available on a 24-hour basis {i.e., inchtcling the periocl of lower low watet).
If berthing space is required onJy part of the day, $horter dock lEmgths are
possible.
A road or rail connection must be constructed frôm the dock to the new
community and to Capps Field. It would be easier to build and supply a ..
settlement in the Be1uga area if it were tocated fairly ç1ose to the dock.
Construction materials, equipment, and othèr supplies couldbe barged or
shipped in and then trucked a short distance to the site. The Granite Point
dock location is about 4 miles overland from the proposed community site
at Congahpyna Lake. This configuration of dock and co!llll1unity site would
avoid the need to cross Tyonek village lands.
Dock s 1 ting and construction requi re a permi't from the Corps
ofEngirieets~ The permit is subject to public notice and review before
it can be issued. Although the Corps has indicated t;hat the permit should
pr~sent few problems, it could be the subject of considerable controve.rsy
if raad access is required across Tyonek lands to connect the new corrmunity
anet dock.
Overla.nd Transportation
Of primary concern for coal development in the Beluga area is trans ..
porting the coal overland from Capps Field to either a coal.;.fired generatil'lg
faoi 1 ity or a dock for export. Gravel surface roads are preferable since
they are fairly stable, can handle heavy traffic, and are easy to maintain,
especially given the frost heave problems. A road from Capps Field must bE;!'
designed for at least 150-ton haul trucks. (3)
2-62
\;; ....... ,~· ....
v
The quantity of coal required to supply coal-firE~d generating plants
does not justify a rail connection. Rail becomes a fE~asible alternative
when over 2 million tons of coal must be transported. (J) The two meth~ds
of transporting coal, railroad and truck, are not mutually exclusive. A
truck-haul system may be used initially until the market has built up
sufficiently to warrant railroad construction. ·
A third overland transportation method for coal is the slurry pipeline.
Slurry may be a mixture of coal and either oil or water. The capital costs
associated with a pipeline are,much lower than with railroad construction.
Costs are increased somewhat by other factors, however, such as storage and
use of oil to mix with the coal. The coal must be cr·ushed more fine\y than
is necessary for truck and rail transport. The more finely the coal is
ground, the more fly dust is produced and lost ..
Loading would be simplifièd with a pipeline, since extending a pipe out
to a large ship is simpler than constructing a dock. A catenary (à meta'l
trestle), built to withstand the ice conditions and Gurrents would suffice
for a pipeline. A platform or T-section would be am:hored at the end .of the
pipeline, so a ship can berth. A road would still bE! needed along the. pipe-
line for maintenance and personnel transport, but less road maintenance would
be required for this than with the truck-haul system ..
The amount of road construction required to sup!Port a work camp or
full-sca 1 e permanent communi ty will depend on si te d1es i gn and 1 i vi ng con-
figurations. A work camp 'with bunkhouses would require a minimum road
network. A full .. scale community might require anywhere from 6 to 20 miles
of local streets. The city of Seldovia {population 600) maintains 6 miles
l
of community streets; Homer (population 1800) has 8 miles of local streets;
Soldotna (population 2600) has 27 miles of city-maintained roads. (S) .· .
2-53'
REFERENCES: SETTLEM.ENT REQYIREME~TS
1. Institute for Social and Economie Research, Energy Intensive lndustry for
Alaska Phase IV: Social and Economie Impacts, DRAFT, June 1978.
2. State of Alaska, Division of Energy and Power Oevelopment, Department
of C01m1erce and Economie Development. Alaska Regional Energy Resources
Planning Project, Volume 3, Chapter 1 "Environment,11 DRAFT, July 1978.
3. Placer Amex Inc., Beluga Coal Project Status Report (December 1977);
interview with Benno Patsch, Placer Amex, Inc.
4. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Enrollment Projections and
School Construction Report, April 1977. ·
5. CH2M HILL, Offshore Oil Development in Lower Cook lnlet: Implications
for the Lower Cook Inlet, July 1978.
6. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Annual Financial Report,
FY 1976-77.
7. Argonne National Labo ra tories, A Framework for. Projecting EJ!!Ployment ·. •··
and-Population Changes Accompanying Energy Development, Phase II, 1976.
8. Kenai Peninsula Borough, Tyonek Comprehensive Oevelopment Plan, 1972.
9. U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service,
Area Planning Office, Anchorage.
10. u.s. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Rapid Growth from
Energy·Projects: Ideas for State and Local Action, 1976.
11. U.S. Public Health Service, .. Tyonek House-to-House Survey," May 1978.
(A sunmary of survey responses is contained in the Appendix.)
12. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
13. State of Alaska, Division of Energy and Power Oevelopment, Department
of Commerce and Economie Development. Alaska Regional. Energy Resource.s
Planning Project, Volume 3, Chapter 3 "Transportation, .. DRA.FT, July
1978.. Transportation options for coal export are discussed at length
\ .
in this r•port.
2-54
w
~\
·~
-/
PSYCHOSOCIAL PROSPECTS FOR TYONEK
OVERVIEW
The development of coal in the Beluga field is likely to have extensive
impacts on the residents of the native village of Tyonek. Both negative and
positive consequences may occur. Unlike many native villages in Alaska,
Tyonek has previously experienced the impacts of development through:
{1) royalties·obtained from gas and oil leases in 1964, and (2) the con-
struction and development of a large lumber chip mill just outside village
boundaries. ~ike all native villages, Tyonek also faces the complicated and
sometimes con~using conditions created by the Alaska Native Claims Settlemerit
Act of 1971 (ANCSA). Past and current experiences with economie development
have made Tyonek residents more sensitive to their consequences thanmost
native Alaskans. They view development of the Beluga coal field with appre""
hension, skepticism, and caution because its impacts may .forever change their
village life style, quality of life, and life satisfaction.
This section of the report focuses on the concerns of the village
residents. It examines the potential impacts of development on their
community and life style and includes recommendations for minimizing negative
social and individual impacts on village residents. Throughout this settion
emphasis is placed on the unique cultural orientation ~:>f Tyonek residents
and on prob1ems faced because of accelerated contact with the values,
beliefs, an~ life styles of nonnatives and outsiders.
The scenarios presented and discussed earlier in this report suggest
various levels o.f coal development. Elements suèh as the presence of a
mining camp and the population size would vary as a function of the level
of development. Any one of the scenarios would affect: the quality of life
and lifestyle of the Tyonek people, although the ful1-·scale development
depicted in the third scenario would have the greatest effects on the Tyonek
village. To an~icipate those maximum impacts, this secti~n focuses entirely
on that scenario, which inclùdes the development of a new cominunity of
approximately 1~00 people at ~eluga.
2-55
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE VILLAGE OF TYONEK
No one is certain when the first residents settled in the area now ·
known as Tyonek. As 1ate as 1880, Ivan Petroff, a Russian territorial
governor, :·ioted that the area around Tyonek contained "2 whites, 6 creoles
and 109 natives. u The native population has 'steadily increased to the
present-day 1eve1 of 271.
The native residents are related to the Athabascan-speaking clans and
tribes that i.nhabit the central interior of Alaska and certain provinces of
Canada. Many of the early folkways and mores of the Cook Inlet natives were
heavily influenced by various Eskimo groups and Northwest Coastal tribes.
Anthropologists noted that the Alaskan Athabascans displayed a "lack of
precisely definable cultural base". (l) The tribes and clans have always
been hunters and fishermen; as a consequence, they experienced a great deal
of ,mobility and mingling with members of other villages. These factors have
led many historians and anthropologists to believe that the Athabascan groups
were highly adaptfve, resourceful, and susceptible to external influences.
While the residents of the northwest shore of the Cook Inlet are often
referred to as Tyoneks, they are actually of the Moquawkie tribe and of the
Tanaina component of the Athabascan linguistic group. Through the years,
outsiders have referred to the area as Moquawkie (many maps still show it
as the Moquawkie lndian Reservation), Tyonek, and in rare instances, Beluga.
Today, the native residents are identified as Tyonek.
Vestiyes of traditional life style are still apparent in present-day
Tyonek. Fishing and hunting are highly valued among villagers and the
catches form the mainstay of the typical diet. Family networks are extended
to include all relatives, however far removed. As one resident pointed out,
11 In one way we are probably a11 related.11 Tenets of the Russian Orthodox
Church dominate religious beliefs and values and have a strong, bonding
influence on everyday behavior. But while the tenets of Christianity guide
behavior, values generally attributable to American Indian and Alaska Native
groups are apparent. Tyonek residents value generosity, sharing, cooperaUon,
2-56
'·
-··
humility, and a present-time orientation. In general, the villagers believe
in living in harmony with nature and using only what is necessary. In this
regard, every part of something (such as a moose, fish, or tree) has a func~
tional use and should not be wasted. Moreover, most Tyo1neks bel ieve that
the old traditional ways are functional and should not be changed simply
because something new might be better.
Up to 1963, few major changes occurred in the Tyom~k region. Oaily
living patterns centered around routine subsistance tasks. The quality of
life was well below modern standards; many considered it close to poverty
level because of substandard housing and diet and lack of basic utilities.
However, the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the region and around th~F
boundaries of, the community had 'a dramatic impact on the Tyonek life style
and quality of life. In 1964, the Tyonek community, with the assistance
of the Bure_au of Indian Affairs (BIA) and a few beneficient attorneys, gained
about $12 million from oil and gas leases. In additiqn to undertaking many
profitab 1 e ventures, the Tyonek Vi 11 age Counci 1 approvE~~ a program that
included improvements to roads, the airstrip, and community buildings, and
increased opportunities for youth. More importantly, !59 new homes were
constructed, one for each family residing in the villa<ge.
Sorne of the lease money was also invested, primarily in the Anchorage
area. The Tyonek Management Corporation was established to plan and oversee
those investments. Buildings were purchased and leased, and a construction
campaign was initiated that resulted in office buildings and homes for Tyonek
natives living in Anchorage. About 302 enrolled membe!rs of the village \share
in the profits from the investments.
Money generated from the 1964 oil and gas leases had a dramatic impact
on the quality of life and life style of Tyonek residtants. Many claim that
their diets have improved, resulting in better overal1 physiçal health.
Educational opportunities have been expanded with the construction of a new
school. Emp1oyment opportunities and skill training have advanced, particu-
larly in the construction fields. But wealth also br·ough't the Tyoneks into
closer contact with outsiders, largely through individual purchases of
2-57
television sets, home entertainment equipment, and motor vehicles. Most
villagers welcomed the sudden change and adapted to it with ease, but sorne
did 1 not and resented the intrusions and distractions created by the wealth.
Through all these changes, however, the village remained a reservation and
the Village Council retained the right to control access by outsiders and
developments on reservation lands.
The second major impact on the Tyoneks came about seven years after
the oil and gas lease. In 1971, the Alaska 'Native Claims Settlement Act
went into effect. Through ANCSA, sorne 79,000 Aleuts, Eskimos, and Indians
in Alaska were given about 40 million acres of land and close to $962,500,000.
Tyonek natives shared in the settlement through their choice to become part
of the Cook lnlet Region Corporation, one of 12 native regional corporations
establ i shed as a re sul t of ANCSA. Within five. years after ANCSA went into
effect, each regional corporation was required to distribute 10% of the. monies
derived from ANCSA to shareholders. Tyonek residents participated in this
settlement and received an average payment of about $400 each.
While ANCSA meant income to Tyonek residents, problems emerged that
seemed to outweigh the small amount of money received. Questions concerning
jurisdiction, land use, water rights, and enforcement of village ordinances
soon plagued the Tyonek Village Council, otherwise referred to as the Indian
Reorganization Act (IRA} Council. Many village residents today.
feel that outsiders have abused visiting privileges, have contributed to tne
disruption of hunting and fishing patterns and, in general, have negatively
affected the life style. In effect, ANCSA has led to the dissolution of the
reservation status, has created complicated institutional arrangements, and
is threatening traditional life styles among the Tyoneks.
The third major impact on the village of Tyonek occurred in 1975. At
that time Tyonek Timber Company (TTC), a subsidiary of Kodiak Lumber Mills
(KLM) began operations. TTC basically reduces wood to chips, which are
eventually marketed for newsprint and paper products. The main processing
plantis located just south of the present Tyonek village' and occupies land
2-58
1,!'', .~
~
~
i'.J
-"
once 11 0Wned 11 by the Tyoneks. From time to time, TTC employs Tyonek residents,
but the bulk of the employees are transient nonnatives.
KLM and the accompanying housing settlement was the first 11 outsid~11
ve.nture to locate near Tyonek. Whi le TTC means jobs for Tyonek residents,
it also presents sorne problems:
1. Job opportunities for Tyonek residents are seasonal and skil1-
dependent, i.e., many jobs require speciali2:ed skills.
2. Work schedules are oriented around a nonnatiive way of life ..
Workers are required to put in eight hours a day, five days a week.
Many Tyonek residents are not accustomed to this schedule and find
it tao constraining Although sorne residents want to work at KÜ'l;
their first priority is fishing. When the season starts, many
would rather be in their boats and at their sites casting nets
than operating heavy equipment.
3. The presence of outsiders who have a different cultural life style
i s vi ewed with suspicion and con cern. Sorne: vi 11 a gers fee 1 th at
the TTC workers have con tri buted to the i nc:rease of a 1 coho 1 i sm
and drug abuse in Tyonek. Others feel that teachers are more
responsive to the educational needs and life orientations of the
nonnative students attending the Tyonek school than they are to
those of the native students. There have been a few isolated
instances of hostili:ty and overt conflict with TTC workers whid1
have tended to heighten suspicions and concerns. Overall, many,
villagers feel they have little to gain from TTC's present
operation.
By way of review, village life at Tyonek has been dramatically affected
and altered by three major events. Within the past 14 years, Tyonek revenues
have increased owing to gas and ail leases, ANCSA, atnd employment opportullli-
' '
ti es at the lu111ber cnip mill. Nonetheless, the thre:e events have created
problems in life style, organization and management of the land, and
individual preferences for improved standards of living. Tyoliek residents
2-59'
have coped reasonably well with the changes evoked by the three events.
However, many problems have been introduced that are creating adjustment
and adaptation difficulties. By nature of their cultural tradition, Tyonek
natives have had to adjust and adapt to many circumstances, for the changes
introduced in the past decade and a half have posed problems never before
faced by the Tyonek people.
PRESENT LIFE STYLE
At present, slightly more than 270 people live in the Tyonek village.
Most, if not all, live in the houses constructed during the mid-sixties.
Most families have established a moderate standard of living; trucks, cars,
television sets, and citizens band two-way radios are co0111onplace. It is
apparent that the diffusion of technology and contact with the outside world
are influencing their life style.
For the most part, five major families tend to dominate village life
and decisions made by the IRA Counci1. This does not imply, however, that
other families are exèluded from participation in community activities and
the decision-making process. Rudiments of traditional decision-making pro-
cedures are clearly evident in the efforts by the IRA Council to involve
everyone in current and future ventures affecting the village as a whole.
Participatory management seems to be the main organizational style of village
government.
At present, women hold key leadership roles in the village: the presi-
dent and vice-president of the Village Council are women, as is the president
of Tyonek Native Corporation in Anchorage. As a result, sorne outsiders
consider the Tyoneks to .be matriarchal (i.e., women control decision-making
patterns). However, the present administrative arrangement is unique in the
long history of the Tyoneks. Instead of Tyonek social organization being
matriarchal or pàtriarchal, it is probably more a system of shared responsi-
bility in which males and females are joint participants in decision making.
Kinship is typically traced through the lines of the father {patrilineality);
but otherwise neither sex appears to exert more decision-making influence
than the other.
2-60
-At one time, the Village Council prohibited outsiders from living in
the village. In fact, at one point during the late sixties, visitors wer-e .
not p~rmitted in Tyonek unless they had been invited. This policy is still ·
nominally in. effect, but i.t is not enforçed as rigorously às in the past.
Moreover, a few nonnatives married to native residents ar·e now living in
the vi 11 age. Ordi na ri ly, nonnati ves were supposed to apr>ear be foré the
Council to make their resident requ.ests known. In addit·ion, such individuals
ha~ to statetheir intentions; i.e., what they planned to do, where. they.
would work, etc. The Village Council has also become somewhat lax in
enforcing this policy, although there is talk that it will be reaffirmed
in the near future. This reaffirrnation is closely aligf1ted with the senti-
ments of a few villagers who feel that ouside influences are becoming too
disruptive and are having a negative effect, especially on youth.
Employment opportunities in.the village are limited. Apart from the .·
seasonal employees and the lumber chip mill, the major employer is the ..
Village Council itself. Positions are varied and include secretarial/
clerical work, heavy equipment maintenance and operation, .and unskilled
labor such as painting, janitorial service, etc. Apart from those who
work in the native store, and occasionally on offshore oil rigs and at the
Beluga power station, most natives' are subsistance fishermen. Fishing seems
to be the main interest, as it has always been. Many look forward with
great enthusiasm and anticipation to the fishing season. Although it is
not entirely true, it often appears as if all nonfishing-related village
activities cease during the season and everyone seems to participate in the
fishing activity. ·
In July 1978, 44 village males were unemployed a·lthough able to work
if jobs had been available. In addition, 40 individuals were receiving
sorne form of state welfare assistance, 10 of whom were participating in the
food stamp program. While the unemployment rate is consistent with other
native villages, participation in the welfare program \'las slight1Y less
than the average for the region.
2-61
Tyonek residents have more contact with urban life and the nonnative
world than do typical Alaska natives. Their close proximity ta Anchorage
{about 88 air kilometers) affords them line-of-sight television and commercial
radio reception and easy air access (round-trip air charter fare ranges from
$30 ta $60} ta the city. Through the media and visits ta the city, many
Tyonek residents are keenly aware of the impacts of industrial and land
development and of population expansion on people and communities. Many
recognize that idleness and boredom sternming from unemployment can lead ta
socially disruptive behavior such as vandalism, alcoholism, and drug abuse.
Similarly, the role models provided youth by the unemployed and their
exposure ta the electronic media are potentially disruptive and considered
counter to the preferred village pattern of living.
The present living standards of Tyonek are perhaps changing more
rapidly now than ever before. While Tyonek received an earlier start than
most Alaska native villages, its attempts to adjust to and cape with social
change differ little from those of Alaska natives in g~neral. The preferred
life style is to retain the cultural traditions within a typical slow-paced
rural environment. Tyonek's future is tenuous, however, like that of many
Alaska native villages; it hinges on the potential impacts of coal and
industrial development in the region.
EFFECTS OF COAL DEVELOPMENT ON COMMUNITY LIFE STYLE
Life in Tyonek would indeed be changed by coal development in the Beluga
coal fields. Everyone in the village would be affected by it. Coal
deve 1 opme nt wou 1 d mean more jobs and ove ra ll economi c growth fo.r the vi 11 age
as a whole. It would also mean accelerated contact with outsiders and an
introduction to new life sty1es.
Coal development would also produce population increases in the north-
western area of Cook Inlet. As many as five times the current population
of Tyonek could settle in that area temporarily or permanently. Along with
these people would come support services and other econom'ic activities.
Children from the community might attend the school at Tyonek, and because
2-62
(.)
of their numbers could relegate the Tyonek youth to miinority status. Overall,
the changes induced by this population expansion coulcl have extensive and
very disruptive effects on Tyonek.
At a broad social level of analy~is, development implies that t~o
distinctly different cultures would come together rapidly. Although Tyonek
residents have had considerable contact with the dominant American lifestyle,
this contact would be greatly expanded by coal development~ Under those
circumstances, a variety of interpersonal and intergroup conflicts would
1 i kely surface.. The contact generated by employment, the proximi ty of the
mining ca~p to Tyonek, and the presence of nonnative children in Tyonek
schools could intensify salient and subtle cultural differences between the
two groups. The values, beliefs and customs of both parties would be chal-
lenged and could become points of controversy.
Goal development would also mean that, for the first time in their
long history, Tyonek residents would be in the minority in their own region.
Minority status usually is often a breeding ground for racism and discrimi-
nation. Status and cultural differences therefore can be factors in intensi-
fying unfriendly and perhaps hostile relationships.
With the potential for social conflict cornes a potential for social
devi ancy su ch as vanda 1 i sm, 1 a rceny, a 1 co ho 1 i sm, and drug abuse. A 11 of .
the se forms of devi ancy con tri bute to one another and 'In many cases can be
emphasized by prevailing differences of opinions, inte1·group relations, and
feelings of inferiority, especially on the part of the group relegated to a
minority status. Intergroup conflict can also affect E!mployment, job pro-
ductivity, learning in the classroom, and can disrupt a community's total
way of life. At present, however, Tyonek is faced with only limited forms
of alcoholism and drug abuse. Relationships between village residents and
TTC employees and their familias appear amiable. Tyone:k residents have had
only limited experience with the sort of problems gener·ated by rapid economie
and community development. Long-term development of the Beluga coal fields
could therefore set in motion an irreversible change process in .which the'
negative outcomes might far outweigh the economie benefits to Tyonek residents.
2-63
COMMUNITY PERCEPTION TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT
In contrast to the Kenai Peninsula area on the eastern shore of Cook
Inlet, the northwestern shore is relatively isolated and, as yet, undeveloped.
The power station at Beluga, the TTC lumber chip mill, the Gran'ite Point Oil
Facility, and the village at Tyonek make up the bulk of the activity and are
the primary populated areas. At the same time, the area is ripe for extensive
industrial development, especially if a plentiful supply of coal were readily
av ail able. How do Tyonek village residents feel about this present and
potential development? What are their preferenees? Can they hope to maintain
their present life style in the face of population expansion? What are their
major concerns? In their opinions, who is responsible for preventing the
negative consequences associated with development?
Tyonek residents have had experience with developmental efforts. Through
the media and visits to other conmunities outside the region, residents have
acquired a sense of what the affects of development would be on the land and
their conmunity. To assess conmunity feelings towards the questions listed
above, interviews were conducted with a small representative sample of Tyonek
residents. The results are summarized below.
All of the respondents expressed concern about the affects that coal
development would have on their way of life, their culture, and the land on
which they live. They recognize that development is inevitable. Sorne prefer
that it not occur at all; a few acknowledge the economie benefits and hope
that development will occur in an orderly, nondisruptive manner. All of the
elderly respondents questioned are against development occurring within the
village and especially in outlying areas. One elderly male best summarized
this feeling when he said: 11 We want to live our lifethe way we have lived
it. We don't want to be impacted in a sudden manner by something that•s
different to our way of life.11 One woman expressed concern for her children
and grandchildren and saw more negative consequences than positive benefits
emerging from coal development. She was especially concerned about "the
abuse of alcohol and dope" and the effect these elements would have on the
community as a whole.
2-64
1~
··..J·
Most people acknowledged the opportunity for emJployment and train.ingt
but· sorne defini te concerns were rai sed. 11 It wi 11 be a 11 ri ght,.. sai d ô ne
yoùng male respondent, "if the coal ··company gives us training~ But after
the coal is gone what good are our skills? There's 110thing else to mine in
the area and I want to live here, not in Anchorage o1r sorne place else."
Another male focused on the job requirements when he said, 11 1 can do the
work but I don' t 1 i ke to punch a c1 ock and have the uni on te 11 me wh at to
do. I know fishing and that's what I like to do. Vou can't fish all the·
time so I cari use the job [at the coal field]. When it's time to fish I
want time off to do that and still have a job to go back to. The union and
coal company won't permit that.11 In general, the respondents felt that jops
were probably the only positive benefit associated wiith development. ·
Many respondents raised questions about j.urisdic:tion and use of present
facilities at Tyonek. Since Tyonek has the only schc1ol in the region, many
expressed concern over student enrollments, cl assroorn space, student/teacher
ratios, and curriculum content .. Of particular concern was the possibility
of the school lpsing federal manies for education. Villagers believe that
increases in nonnative student ·enrollment would lead to decreases in federal
support for educational programs earmarked for native~ students. 11 Who would
pay for the additional teachers, secretaries, additio~nal classroom spacè, and
facilities?11 asked a mother of four children. She continued, 11 We buïlt that
school with our own money and assistance from the BIA [Bureau of lndian'
Affairs]. Those developers and Kenai Borough can't expect us to foot the
bill for something we don't want in the first place ... Another respondent
added, "Right now we get along with the nonnative children in the school ..
Pretty saon there will be more nonnatives [in th.e sch1ool]'and our kinds :
will be left out. A few of the elderly are teaching the children the native
language, native crafts such as making moccasins and weaving baskets,
including legends and stories about our history. What good will this be?
Our culture is. very important to us and we want to ket!p it. The school i.s
the best way to teach our children the things they should know about our
1
history. the lang~age, and our way of life. We want to keep this ...
2-65'
Preservation of culture, intensification of external influences, and
pressures to change are serious matters of discussion in Tyonek. Equa11y
i mpot·tant are concerns over maintenance of cul tura 1 i den ti ty, a persona 1
sense of worth, and the way of life. Problems have arisen. over the matter
of jurisdiction, since with the advent of ANCSA, traditional Tyonek forms
of government and control have been challenged. Said one respondent, "Look,
there was a time when the Village Council had complete control over use and .
occupancy of the land. Now, Kenai [Borough] wants ta tax us, build public
roads through our village, and bring in new laws. Now, who's going to
enforce them? There is a constable for this whole area and he can't enforce
anything. People come and go. Pilots bring in booze and dope. Hunters
shoot moos.e and 1 eave i t 1 yi ng in the v ill age dump. Now, we '11 have 3000
mining people around here and they'll probably take over the whole damn
p 1 ace. 1 • m 150% aga i ns t deve 1 opme nt a round he re. Our 1 ife will be. rui ned
and the land destroyed, all for coal that isn't very good anyway. u
Tyonek residents have strong feelings about the land and wildlife. Like
their ancestors, they want the area ta stay pretty much the same as it has
always.been. Many feel that they have lost the opportunity to exert control
over land use through ANCSA, sorne are bitter and wish they had not made the
choice, others reluctantly accept their situation, and sorne prefer ta go
along with development without cornnent. Nonetheless, the deep-rooted feelings
for the community and its way of life are strongly entrenched. One young.
student best summarized these feelings when she stated: 11 There is a certain
warmthand sense of belonging here. When away at school, 1 look forward to
coming home to be with the people and live with the land. When 1 finish
school, I want to live here and provide a service. But, if coal development
cames and change happens, I'm afraid our people will be faced with their
greatest challenge ...
The Tyonek community is apprehensive, even fearful, of th~ consequences
of growth and development in the region. They have experienced the effects.
of progress and know that large-scale development can be ,overpowering. They
recognize the negative impact of alcoholism, drug abuse, and other forms of
deviancy, but feel that as long as they have sorne jurisdiction, reasonable
2-66
·~
\, .J ,..,.
\ \._
1;
controls can be maintained. However, the location of cl mining camp sorne 10
to 15 kilometers from their village would present jurisdictional problems and
would challenge the authority of the IRA Council to govern and to regulate.
Current IRA Counci 1 members are exp lori ng the nature and extent of thei.r
powers in an attempt to define, once and for all, how much control they do
have. Tyonek residents are not bitter over past exper'iences with development.
Instead, thos.e experiences have made most re~idents cautious and somewhat
pessimistic toward future development.
Currently, Tyonek residents have a sense of freedom of expression and
movement. Apart from difficulties and problems associated with ANCSA, the
the Tyonek do not feel subordinatedor restrained in terms of mobility. In
sorne ways they are fairly autonomous and value the sense of freedom that
cornes with living in a somewhat isolated environment. Should development . '·;
occur, however, their autonomy would be challenged. Their energy would h~ve
i
to be redirected to protect their autonomy and to avoid feelings of powerless-
ness.
The presence of an outside conmunity with a populëltion five times
greater than that of the native people would directly challenge traditional
authority and group norms. Under similar situations, E!specially when communi-
,
ties are quickly and abruptly relegated to a minority status, feelings of
alienation and powerlessness have tended to increase. Along with experiencing
such feelings, individuals may find life meaningless. People in this situa-
tion not only attribute similar characteristics to thos;e about them, butalSo
become confused about norms and values. Insight, clarity, practicality,'and
thought processes in turn can be distorted. Taken togerther these physiologi~al
and sociological phenomena can lead to low levels of pe!rsonal involvemerit
in family and corrmunity responsibilities, lack of persc1nal support, high
levels of aggression, and premature speculation about r·emedial recourses of
action.
It is probable that many residents could effective:ly adapt to the
changing conditions brought on by development. Nonethele'Ss, they would
experience sorne psychological and cultural loss. The prace of daily living
2-6·7.
could change, values and beliefs could be altered to accomrnodate changes,
and a bit of the cultural heritage could disappear. As long as the residents
remain at Tyonek during the development process, there is every reason to
speculate that, even in a small way, everyone will be negatively affected.
The anticipated psychological and sociological problems, therefore, demand
that preventive and corrective mental health efforts be undertaken.
The Tyonek people are proud of their life style, their village, and the
environs, and they want to protect it. Just as federal and state governments
seek to protect flora and fauna through environmental impact statements,
village residents feel that their cultural life. style should be equally con.-
sidered and protected under the same guidelines.
SUMMARY : PSYCHOSOéiAL PROSPECTS FOR TYONEK
Development of the Beluga coal fields--especially under scenario 3--
would likely have serious effects on the cultural life style of the residents
of Tyonek. Increases in population could place Tyonek residents at a distinct
disadvantage in maintaining their preferred standard of 1 iving .and cultural
heritage. Indeed, they could become a minority in their own region. Distinct
social problems cou'ld emerge that would affect education, traditional sub-
sistance efforts, community feelings, and beliefs and attitudes, and that
could permanently alter the current way of life. Development could mean jobs
for a few Tyonek residents, and with those jobs, increases in economie
opportunities. Nonetheless, such gains might be overshadowed by the potential
negative impacts associated with large-scale development in remote, rural
a reas of Al as ka. Preventative measures could be taken before development ·
begi~s, including establishing a standing committee composed of developers,
plan(ers, and Tyonek residents.
REFERENCE: PSYCHOSOCIAL PROSPECTS FOR TYONEK
1. Spencer, R. · F. , et al. l'he Native ·Ame ri cans. New ·Ye>rk, Harper and Row.
1965,1'55.
2-G8
~
~
t...J
DECISION MAKING FRAMEWO.RK
GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICTION AND POWERS
This chapter describes the governmental and private agencies with major
jurisdiction in the Beluga area and suggests possible ways to influence coal-
field development. The principal agencies(a) that will be involved in any .
future Beluga coal development project are:
• Tyonek Village Council
• Tyonek Native Corporation
• Cook Inlet Regional Corporation
• Kenai Peninsula Borough
• State of A 1 as ka
/ Tyonek Village Counci 1
The Tyonek Village Council is the federally chart1ered local 11 government 11
that manages Tyonek• s public affairs. The council acts as spokesperson for
the community-at-large, controls local use of village JP.ublic lands and
buildings, and has responsibility for public services 111ithin the conmunity.
The Tyonek Village Council, at this writing, beli1aves it can control
access to 1 ands encompassed by the fonner Tyonek reser,t~at ion. Wh en the
federal reserve was abolished by the Alaska Native Cla·ims Settlement Act,
the village councn•s authority over the reserve lands was terminated.
This did not, however, negate the role of the council ·in speaking for the
village nor the importance of the views of Tyonek residents toward develop~
ment at Beluga.
Tyonek Native Corporation
The Tyonek Native Corporation owns surface title to the site of the
former Moquawki~ Indian Reservation as well as ether lëtnc\s within .the area.
(a) The role of Federal agencies will not be d.iscussed e.xcept for those
programs administered at the State level•
2-69
As a major landowner, the Tyonek Native Corporation's policies toward
industrial development and use of corporation lands may affect transportation
routes, location of community and industrial facilities, and location of
transshipment or power plant facilities.
Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated (CIRI}
As a result of an exchange of land between the federal government, the
state of Alaska, and the Cook Inlet Region, Inc., CIRI will become a major
landholder in the Tyonek area. In addition to holding the subsurface rights
to most of the land selected by the Tyonek Village Corporation, CIRI selected
the surface and subsurface rights to major portions of the
and including the private coal leases within Capps Field.
granted a 300-foot right-of-way to connect its holdings in
field area to land along the coast.
land surrounding
CIRI was also
the Capps coal
As a further condition of the land trade, CIRI took over the ownership
of leased lands within Capps Field~ Future lease revenues will accrue to
the corporation, and any lease renewals or extensions must be negotiated
with CIRI.
Because of its land ownership, CIRI will have a major role in determining
the development of coal deposits and access to those deposits.
Kenai Peninsula Borough
The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) is the only local, general government
in the project area. As a borough of the second class, KPB is charged with
providing education, planning, and tax ·assessmerit in the area. In addition,
KPB has ta ken over res pons i bi 1 i ty for the provision and management of pub 1 i c·
solid waste disposal sites throughout the borough.
Under its planning authority, the borough is charged with land-use
planning, zoning, and platting. No borough land-use plan now exists for
the area surrounding Tyonek. The project area. is zoned "rural,11 which allows
any use except sorne specifie activities that are noxi()US or harmful to public
' health. Subdi,vision of private land must be approved by the borough, but
the subdivision ordinance has few requirements for subdivision improvements
in rural areas.
2-70
:;l<
:,, ",if ~
'>,
\'Wfl
,.;
'
The borough also owns land that contains one portion of Congahbuna Lake
and part of the proposed site for a permanent conmunity. As sucht the botough
may have sorne ability to influence the nature of community development through
land' leasing agreements.
~'Il-1 ~ ~.
Although a proposed land-management system ordina1nce is under KPB Assembly
review, the borough has not yet devel oped policies reg1ardi ng lease ofborough
land for industria1 or community development. The bor·ough would consider the
implications of the project after recejpt of a land-le!ase application.
Two borough service areas encompass the project site: the North Penin-
sula Recreation Area and the Central Hospital Service Area. Neither of these
service areas provides facilities in Tyonek or the Beluga area, although· the
North Kenai Recreation Area is considering extending sorne form of outdoor
recreation programs to Tyonek.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough is initiating a coastal zone management
policy study and a study of ports and harbor needs in relation to energy
facility development. The coastal zone management policy study will recom-
. .
me nd a set of po 1 ici es for the management of coas ta 1 r·esources. This docu ...
ment, designed for extensive public review, will be usred by the KPB as a
basis for their own coastal management program. The question of coal develop-
ment at Beluga will not be specifically considered, and energy facility
siting will be included nnly in a general discussion of policies.
The port and harbors study wi 11 focus on the harbor resources and
facility needs related to energy development in the KPB. As sucht it will
consider thé possibility of development at Beluga, but will recommend
policies only in relatjon to the location and provision of port facilities.
The KPB is a participant in the Cook Inlet Air Resources Management
District, a three-borough organization responsible for air-quality monitoring.
and enforcement in cooperation with the Department of E~nvironmental Con-
servation (DEC). DEC retains the authority to set air quality standards,·
grant air emissions permitst and regulate surface air E!mi,ssions.
'
2-71-.
In sunmary, the Kenai Peninsula Boro'ugh is unlikely to begin developing
a ~olicy for development at Beluga until industry approaches the borough with
a 1and-1ease or subdivision application.
State of Alaska
The state of Alaska, through its various departments, has broad authority
t~ mitigate the environmental and, to sorne extent, the socioeconomic impacts
of coal development. Two inter-agency organizations, the Beluga Interagency
Task Force and the Coastal Zone: Regional Planning Team, could also provide
a means for state intervention in energy development at Beluga.
The principal state agencies wit~ program interest or responsibility
are:
• Office of the Governor, Division of Policy Development and Planning (DPDP)
• Department of Commerce and Economie Development (DCED)
• Department of Community and Regional Affairs {OCRA)
• Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
• Department of Fish and Game (DF&G)
• Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Although it would not have a major regulatory role, the Department of
Labor would have a voice in the setting of policy concerning labor needs,
local hire, and in the inspection of construction-camp housing.
The Coastal Zone Regional Planning Team, headed by DPDP, includes the
Departments of Fish and Game, Community and Regional Affairs, Natural
Resources, Environmental Conservation, and Commerce and Economie Development.
The team is charg·ed with preparing a regional resource management program
for the Cook Inlet Region for submission to the State Coastal Policy Council.
At present, the planning team is developing criteria for identifying uses
of state concern and areas meriting special attention. It is studying
whetner these uses and areas should be specifically idenUfied and located
or def1ned more generally. As a result, the extent to which Beluga-area
2-72 .
!~
~:
deve 1 opment wi 11 be addressed under the regi ona 1 reso11Jrce management program
i s une 1 ea r. However, i ts progres s to da te and i ts De11:ember 1978 report
dead1ine suggest that recommendations and policies on dev~lopment at Beluga
will be limited and fairly general.
·-
The Beluga Interagency Task Force, chaired by DCED's Division of Economie
Enterprise, includes the Department of Environmental Conservation, Community
and Regional Affairs, Fish and Game, Labor (in a rese,arch and information
capa city) , Na tura 1 Resources, and the Governor' s Division of Po 1 i cy Deve 1 op-
ment and Planning--in addition to DCED's own Division of Energy and Power
Development. The task force is charged with providin'g a coordinated state
response to industry proposals on energy development in the Beluga area.
Office of the Governor, Division of Policy Development and Planning (DPDP)
DPDP's role in the Beluga project will primarily be one of ag~ncy coor-
dination and policy formulation. As a policy spokesman for the Office of
the Governor, DPDP can encourage 1 ine agen ci es to a do pt programs in support
~· of a state policy position. DPDP chairs the interagency Cook Inlet Regional
Planning Team, which may address the siting of an energy facility at Beluga
in the regional resource management plan in progress.
Department .of Commerce and Economie Development (DCED)
DCED's Division of Economie Enterprise (DEE) also has a coordination
and policy role in the Beluga project. As head of th1e Beluga Interagency
Task Force, DEE is primarily responsible for coordinating state agency
information-sharing and policy deveJopment.
In the latter stages of Beluga development, DCED's role as a regulator
of private and public commerce, especially through various licensing
authorities and the regulative powers of the Alaska P11Jblic Utilities Commis-
sion, may allow it to influence aspects of Beluga dev1elopment.
Department of Community and Regional Affairs (DCIRA)
DCRA's primary responsibilities regarding the Beluga proje~t would
involve analyzing the public costs and benefits of establishing .a new
v community" including an evaluation of its effects on the provision of public
2-73·
:\!HL itlt$.N~!l!ll!it!,_,,
facilities and services. DCRA•s ability to provide technical assistance and
~rogram funds for local planning and management efforts could be used to
affect the nature and extent of new community development. In addition,
DCRA•s participation on the coastal zone regional planning team and the
Beluga Interagency Task Force gives it a direct voice in fonnulating overall
~tate policy on the Beluga project.
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC}
The Department of Environmental Conservation regulates the environmental
effects of industrial development, construction, handling of petroleum
products, and the disposal of solid waste and wastewater. In general, any
activity that affects air and water quality or involves the {potential}
spillage of petroleum products or noxious substances falls within the scope
l
of OEC regulations. Of importance for the Beluga project is DEC's administra-
tion of permits related to air quality, wastewater discharge, and solid waste
disposal. OEC's regulation of activities affecting air quality includes
identifying air quality districts and emissions standards under the FedePaZ
CZean AiP Aat.
Oepartment of Fish and Game (OF&G)
The Department of Fish and Game has primary responsibility for the
management of fish and game populations and the protection of their habitats.
Any activity that could. potentially disrupt an anadromous fish stream or
affect an established game refuge or critical habitat area must be reviewed
and approved by the department.
Department of Natural Resources {ONR)
The Oepartment of Natural Resources has a potentially important role
to play in developing policy toncerning Beluga coal-fie.ld development.
DNR regulates the use and disposal of state land and tidelands, including
temporary access and rights-of-way across state land, and the appropriation
and use of surface and ground water. The use of surface materials located
on state land (such as rock and gravel) also falls within'DNR's jurisdiction.
2-74'
~
\wl
DNR' s responsibil ity for classifying and managing statf! lands affords the
state a useful tool for dealing with activities on state land. DNR may also
include performance stipulations in its land leases and permits.
DNR is preparing a land management plan for state lands within the Kenai
Peninsula Borough. This plan will identify land and r•~source entities,
develop resource management objectives and implementat·ion recommendations,
and set guidelines for management and disposal of stat•~ lands. This manage-
ment plan will be coordinated with ohter state, borough, and private sector
planning efforts and will involve extensive local revii!W and input. Land
management options and poli cy al ternat ives are schedul1~d for public pre-
sentation and review in November 1978.
The department will also have responsibility for administering and
enforcing federal regulations on surface mining and land reclamation. The
procedures for administering the surface-mining regulations will be established
by DNR.
OPPORT~NITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT
A number of opportuni ti es wi 11 arise for government and priva te interests
to influence Beluga coal-field development. Potential areas of involvement
include:
• environmental concerns
• land management
• creation of a new settlement
• provision of community services and facilities
Environmental Concerns
Sorne environmental issues can be considered in advance of the review
of a specifie project proposal. These general environmental issues include
air quality, water resources, fish and game populations and habitat, and
surface reclamation and revegetation.
2-75
Air Quality
Air-quality issues involve the overall effect of industrial activï'ty
on air quality in the Beluga area and the surrounding region.
The responsibility for air-quality control lies with the State Depart-
ment of Environmental Conservation. DEC•s authority stems in part from its
role in implementing the regulations of two federal programs--the CZean
AiP Aat and the National, PoUution DisahaPge EUmination System.
The provisions of these programs do more than give DEC authority for
the review and permitting of new sources of air emissions. The CZean AiP.
Aat also requires any proposed new point-source developer to supply DEC with
sufficient background data on ambient air quality at the project site; This
allows DEC to adequately review the effects of the project and the proposed
emissions control technology. This background information must include .
meteorologie data, measurement of a variety of pollutants, and analysis of
area topography. DEC has indicated that a 1-year monitoring program would
be required in the Beluga area before a coal-fired generating plant could
be approved. DEC determines the nature of the monitoring program to be
undertaken by the applicant, based on the expected project emissions. ·Con-
sequently, the applicant must inform DEC of overall project plans prior
to initiating the monitoring.
The proposed Tuxedni wilderness area, located about 50 miles south of
the Beluga area, has been designated as a Class I air-quality-control area
under the FedePaZ CZean AiP Aat. Under current regulations, new sources of
air emissions in the surrounding region must not have significant effect
on the ambient air quality of a neighboring Class I area. In addition to
ensuring that any development at Beluga will meet the discharge limitations
for a 11 Class Il 11 area, DEC must determine that coal-related facilities will
not exceed the deterioration standards established for the proposed Tuxedni
wilderness area nor adversely affect air quality in the Anchorage bowl. Air-
quality standards could become a major obstacle to the d~velopment of coal-
fired generating plants.
2-76
v.J
~
. While OEC cannot change the air-quality standard!i and deterioration
limits established in the FedereZ CZeq.n Air Aat, it dt>es have the author'ity
to determine the methods or processes of pollution control. This allows .DEC
to influence the design and. operation of a facility and its process of
development.
Water Resources
,.,
Water-resource issues involve the allocation and use of water for indus-
trial and community purposes in relationship to existiing water supply and
other area water requirements. · Also involved is the E!ffect of industrial
activity on water quality, both during the construction period and over the
life of the operation.
Three state agencies regulate water use. The Department of Natural
Resources is responsible for arranging the appropriation of water rights for
ground and surface water located within state-, local-·, and privately-owned
lands. DEC is responsible for approving the dischargE! of pollutants into
water and any discharge of wastewater. The Department of Fish and Game,
under its authority to protect anadromous fish populations, reviews and
approves activities that could affect the nature of an anadromous fish
stream.
The Department of Natural Resources•s (DNR) progr·am of permitting the
appropriaticin of water rights is based on the legol principle of prior
appropriation; in effect, it is a first-come, first-served system. Because
of its backlog of applications and limited staff, DNR has not given much
attention to determining the affects of a new appropriation on ground water
regimes or to forecasting future water requirements. DNR has the authority:
to regula te the taking of surface and ground water from priva te lands. · ·.
Attaching conditions to a permit for the industrial us~e of water is one
method of intervening in industrial development.
DEC permits and monitors wastewater discharges and the design and
construction of public wastewater systems. The agency plays an_important
role in the granting of Environmental Protection Agency NPDES wastewater
2-77-
discharge pe~its, since permits must be certified by DEC prior to approval
by EPA. ln those cases where an EPA permit is not required, the developer
mùst ~btain a DEC wastewater-disposal permit to discharge wastewater or
pollutants into waters or onto land. This permit authority allows DEC to
influence the planning and design of industrial water treatment and liquid
waste discharge systems. The wastewater discharge permit application requires
'information on the proposed facility; the nature of the discharge, treatment,
and planned disposal methods; and proposed sites.
The Department of Fish and Game•s authority to protect anadromous fish
streams enables sorne public intervention into those industrial activities
that occur near streams or require crossing fish streams. Directed primarily
at the protection of habitat, any activity that could affect the natural
flow or bed of any anadromous water, including the use of equipment in or
crossing such waters, must be approved by DF&G prior to the initiation of
that activity. This includes all stream crossings by heavy equipment and
the construction of bridges and culverts. Through its authority to regulate
activites that could affect the flow of water in anadromous streams, DF&G
could require the submission of an overall plan for water use and for the
management of surface and ground "Water flow at the mine site.
Fish and Game
Fish and game issues related to Beluga area development include the
protection.and enhancement of habitat and identification of critical habitat
areas. The effects of industrial and residential development on the Susitna
Flats and Trading Bay State Game Refuges, and the protection of fisheries
resources in the Chuitna and Beluga river drainage systems are also major
concerns.
The Department of Fish and Game has identified the need for more back-
ground information on fish and game populations and use of the Beluga area
by wildlife. In addition, more information on industry plans and activities
is required in ~rder to assess the potential impacts on habitat. A memo · . '
submitted to the Beluga Task Force by DF&G listed the major issues to be
addressed in reviewing any project proposal: the formation of acid mine
2-7..8_
''VI
/--.,
~
waters, the disposal of mine waters, site restoration, anadromous streàm pro-
tection, effect on water table, disturbance of waterfowl population, 'effect
of dock construction on tideland morphology and fish migration, and the
potential linkage .of the Beluga area to a regional road system.
An applicant for DF&G'.s "Waterway/Waterbody Use Request" must submit
a plan for fish and game protection; a project schedule; an outline of.
materials, equipment, and activity proposed in the project; and a description
of the project si te. Most of DF&G' s concerns about Bre 1 uga coa 1 deve 1 opme nt
could be addressed during the permit process if an ovrerview of the entire
project's effects on fish and game resources and full plans for the protection
of fish and game are included with the permit application. OF&G can pr~bably
require such a broad overview under state statute [AS 16.05.870(c)].
Proposed activity or development within a state !game refuge must be
approved by DF&G before a project is initiated. However, activity.that will
take place within the boundaries of the Trading Bay State Game Refuge will
most likely be located on land owned by the Cook Inlet Regional Corporation.
Under the statute that establishes the Trading Bay refuge, lands owned. by
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. are specifically excluded from refuge protection
[AS 16.20.038(j)].
Surface Revegetation/Reclamation
In response to enactment of the federal Surfaae Mining Cont:i>oZ and
ReaZamation Aat of 19?7,(a} the Department of Natural Resources has been
designated as the state agency that will administer and enforce regulations
governing surface mining and reclamation.
Under provisions of the federal act, state regulations must be at least, . .. )
as stringent as the federal regulations. The federal government has published
a set of interim surface mining and reclamation regulations that have been
adopted by the state with minor modifications. These interim federal reguJa-,
ti ons' will be replaced by final regulations in early 1!979; these final regu-
lations will then be adopted as the state regu1atory ~~rogram.
taJ PL 95-SÎ' •
2-79
Surface and subsurface coal mining operations with surface impacts must
comply with provisions of the act. The regulatory provisions include require-
ments for surface contouring, reclamation, revegetation, reestablishment or
replacement of ground water tables and surface and subsurface water flows,
as well as treatment and disposal of acid, taxie, or harmful wastes or
products. In addition to performance standards for reclamation, the regula-
tions also describe standards for industry operations such as preparation of
sites for mining and storage of materials, blasting, and drainage diversions.
Before activity can be initiated at a surface-mining site, plans for
the eventual use and reclamation of the area mus·t be reviewed and approved
by the state regulatory agency. This includes approval of postmining land
uses as well as projection of the highest and best future use of that land.
The scope of the surface-mini ng regulations apparent] y incl udes any arèa ·
where activities attendant to the coal-mining operation disturb the natural
land surface. This would caver such activities as raad construction and
coal transport, remote storage areas, processing areas, transfer and shipment
sites, and other areas that are used in relation to surface mining, proces-
sing, and shipment activities. The broad scope of the regulations will
enable DNR and other state and local agencies (through permit application.
review procedures) to shape the conversion and future use of coal development
areas.
Land-Management Issues
Sorne land~management issues have already arisen from the complex land
\ ownership patterns in the Beluga area and differences in the objectives of
the various land owners. (See Figure 2-1).
Prior to passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Aat (ANCSA) in
1971, the Tyonek Village Council controlled the use of all village lands
within the Tyonek reservation. However, that reservation was abolished by
the act, with ownership of the reservation eventually passing to the corpora-
tions established under the act. The Tyonek Village Council maintains that
it still has the right to control the use and disposal of its former trust
'~
lands and any lands that it owns now or will receive title to from the "~ v
2-8'0
Tyonek Native Corporation. The Council's desire to control the land
surrounding the community reflects its objective of minimizing outsiéJe
influences on village life and community services.
The Tyonek Village Council's position has been reinforced by the
-~ ""'-
recent initiation of a HUD housing project in the village. The project
consultant convinced HUD that the Council was the authorized land-management .
' ( ~ i
authority in the area, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough's subdivision review
process was bypassed. The Council believes that borough planning, zoning,
and subdivision authority does not apply to their land.
Es tab 1 i shed as a profit-maki ng corporation und,er the Native C~aims
Setttement Aat, the Tyonek Native Corporation {TNC) holds title to the
surface estate of the land over which the Council Claims jurisdiction. TNC
has indicated it will defer to the opinions of the council on local land-
management questions. Hence, regardless of its legal authority, the Council
wi 11 have an effective voi ce in contre 11 i ng the surface use of surroundi ng
lands.
Section 14{c)(3) of ANCSA provides that 1280 acres is to be conveyed
to the state by the Tyonek Native Corporation to be held in trust for future
cormlunity expansion. Under Alaska Statutes (AS 44.47.150), the state as
trustee cannat transfer the land, or any interest in the land, \'tithout a
resolution to that effect from the villate.
TNC's surface ownership of the former reservati:on lands is complemented
by ownership of the subsurface es tate by the Cook lnlet Region, Inc. · {CIRI).
Therefore, each of these two corporations has sorne a1bility to regulate the·
other's use of land. Any disposals of land by TNC must be reviewed by CIRI;
conversely, the disposal of subsurface rights by CIRI may be vetoed by TNC
under provision of ANCSA 14(j). CIRI presently favo,rs devel opment in the
Beluga area more than·does the TNC or the Council.
Another major land-use issue concerns the public role in managing land
use and development. The ability of state agencies to g_yide land use in the
Beluga area is limited by the existence of large, privately-owned tracts.
2-St.
The state can influence land use through the classification and disposal of
the remaintng.state land, most of which was acquired under the Mental Heaz.th
EnabUng Act. Under the provisions of recently adopted state legislation
(H.B. 720 and S.B .• 159}, land acquired under this act will become general
grant Lande, thereby facilitating the state•s disposing of that land.
H.B. 720 includes broad policy guidelines concerning the management of state
lands for public use and their disposal for private use that could influence
state land management in the Beluga area. The granting of an unspecified
easement across state lands to the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. under tenns of the
State-Native corporation land trade has eliminated a major means of public
intervention in the coal-field development process. On the other hand, the
use and disposal of state tidelands for industrial or public use 1could be
an important means of guiding the location of port and transshipment
facilities.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough pas general authority to regulate.land use
in the Beluga area through its mandatory planning, zoning, and platting
responsibilities; but no zoning review or land-use permits other than sub-~
division review are required by the borough for developmerit in the Beluga
area. This situation could change once more specifie proposals are pre-
sented by i.ndustry, especially if borough-owned land is included in~ or
affected by, a development proposal.
Creation of a New.Settlement
Under state statute, a deve"lopment city may be established to insure a
cooperative relationship between state agencies and private industry in the
creation of a new community and the provision of services and facilities. (a)
A development city may be created either by act of the legislature or through
an action of the state•s Local Boundary Commission, following petition by an
industrial developer to the Department of Community and Regional Affairs.
This petition must be reviewed by the Department of Community and Regional
raJ This analysis is based on AS 29.18.220-460.
2-82
''-'
Affa,irs to detennine if the development project is lik1ely to occur, and if
the industry proposal for conmunity development appear:s to be in the public
interest.
, In the case of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the creation of a develop-
ment city could proceed in two ways. The Local Boundary Conmission might
find that a special service area could be created within the borough for
the purpose of guiding and supporting conmunity development. The Borough
Assembly, in turn, could agree to approach the proposed project as a
development city by creating a special service district at the site. In
this case, the borough would present the Local Boundary Corrmission with a
aontraatu.aZ agreement outlining the responsibilities of both the developer
and the borough to provide for corrmunity services, facilities, and the imple-
mentation.of the development project.
Alternatively, the Borough Assembly could decline to establish a special
service district, instead requesting the Local Boundary Corrmission to create
a development city that would function independently f1rom the borough. ln
this case, an appointed city council would proceed witlh preliminary compre-
hensive planning for the community. Included in the p'lanning process would
be economie and population projections, a capital impri:>Vements program, an
environmental assessment, and a land-use plan.
· Designation of a community as a development city has a number of bene-
fits in tenns of program funding. First, state agenc_i1~s are specifical,ly
directed to g.ive priority to a development city in allocating program funds.
Second, a development city is granted housing and urban renewal authority
for a period of sorne 15 years and planning powers during a 5~year develbpment
period. Third, a development city is granted the right to select 10% of the
unappropriated state land within its boundaries. (In 1the case of the Beluga
area, however, the city would probably not be located near availablestate
land.) Fourth, the development city is eligible to receive funds under the
state shared-revenue program, based upon a projected population figure.
Finally, the city council is granted broad powers to entèr into·agreements
and raise and spend funds without voter approval, including issuing revenue.
bonds, during the development period.
2-83.
When industry proposals for a new cornmunity in the Beluga area are: .
more definite, the applicability of the development city's legislation to
that community should be analyzed in greater depth.
Provision of Community Services and Facilities
The best mechanism for providing public services, as well as the role
of state agencies in public service delivery, will depend largely on the
legal status of the new settlement. This community might be a work camp
or company town, an unincorporated community within the borough, a speciaJ
service area, or a development city. As the community grows, it might
incorporate as a home-rule, first-class, or second-class city, as provided
in state statute.
State agencies would be required to provide sorne services, whether or
not a community is incorporated. State support of local public services
could vary from the actual provision of services to the financial support
of programs administered by a local government. If the community remains
unincorporated, planning and coordination of public service delivery could
be accomplished at the state level, through either a task-force approach
or direct policy direction from the office of the governor.
The community itself would be responsible for planning and coordinating
state agency programs if it were designated as a development city or special
borough service area. In both cases, a prope.rty-tax base would be available
to help support public service provision. State âgencies are àlso specifi-
cally directed under state legislation to give priority in the allocation of
program funds to a development city or to a specially identified borough
service area.
Education
The major issue in the provision of education services is the potential
impact on the Tyonek school, in light of that community•s desire to maintain
a strong role in the local school program and its opposition to. use of the
school by large numbers of students from outside the vil1age.
2-84
·~·
Education at Tyonek is provided by the Kenai Peninsula Borough, which
is responsible both for the provision of facilities and the educational
program. Program decisions are made by the KPB School Board, with input
from local residents. The borough school board would need to determine
whether the Tyonek school will be used by all Beluga-a,rea residents or
whether additional education facilities should be provided outside of the·
vi 11 age. The needs and wishes of a rea residents wouldl be considered in
1 i ght of the av ai 1 a bi 1 i ty of program funds and dis tri c:t-wide ca pi ta 1
improvement plans and program cori1Tlitments.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough receives support from the State Department
of Education in the form of capital construction funds, and funds for program
operation, based on school attendance levels. The principal mechanisrri for
obtaining additional funds is the borough property ta><:. Tax revenues are
used to repay construction bonds as well as to meet operating expenses.
The village of Tyonek, however, participates dire:ctly in the federal
Johnson-o•Malley (JOM) program, which funds supplement:ary educational
programs for native Americans. JOM program funds are currently used to
retain two local residents as cultural instructors. The Tyonek Village
Council administers the JOM grant, under the guidance of a JOM committee
composed of parents of the students in the program.
1 The Tyonek Village Council is concerned that an increase in the number.
of nonnative students would adversely affect their standing in the JOM
program. JOM program allocations, however, are based on the number of'
native students in the program and are not related to the proportion of
native students in the total enrollment.
According to the state attorney general, a develo,pment city created in
the Beluga area could not independently receive or expend program or capit~l
funds for education from the Department of Education.
Public Safety
Fire protection, police protection, emergency medical services, and
justice services in the Beluga area could become the program responsibility
2-85
of either the state or the new community. The industry itself would have
major responsibility for providing fire protection and emergency medical
services initially. Training of residents in emergency medical techniques
could later be requested from the state's Departments of Public Safety and
Health and Social Services. Although industry would probably provide fire
equipment for protection of industry facilities that would also be satis-
factory for community needs, forming a volunteer fire department might be
desirable. This would make the community eligible for technical assistance
from the state fire marshall as well as funds from the state shared-revenue
program. Bath of these sources could be used to increase the volunteer
department's capacity to respond to residential fires. Police protection
would be provided by the state troopers if the area remained unincorporated.
If either a special borough service area or incorporated city were
created, the primary responsibility for the provision of public safety
facilities and services would shift to the community. The city would work
directly with the Department of Public Safety, the Criminal Justice Planning
Agency, the fire marshall, and state court system.
Public Utilities
Provision of public utilities to a new community in the Beluga area
would present a number of opportunities for state involvement in the develop-
ment process. These public utilities would include community water and
sewer systems, solid waste disposal, and power.
Under recently adopted regulations, plans for new or expanded community
water systems must meet certain standards and have plans approved by the
Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC also approves plans for
community sewer systems. DEC administers water system and sewer system
const~uction grant programs that may provide up to 50% of planning and con-
struction project costs not funded by the federal government. Under this
program, DEC also sets the priorities for EPA-funded projects within Alaska.
Construction funding programs available through the federal Economie Develop-
ment Administration (EDA) include two programs for funding economie develop-
ment projects. Under the provision of the "section 304 11 grant program, EDA
would fund projects requested and prioritized by the governor's office.
2-8§
v
" l . .._,
The industrial developer might provide a major p1ortion of the initial
capital facilities for utilities; the state and industry could cooqeratè in
the funding of facilities; or the public could carry the entire cost of the
utilities. A city or service area would support utility construction and
operation by issuing revenue or general obligation b01r1ds. Industry purchase
of local bonds is also a possibility.
One means of exerting state influence over privately operated utilfties
is through the ~laska Public Utilities Corrmission•s r1equirements for a cer-
t i fi ca te of pub 1 i c conven i ence and ne cess i ty. This p1ermi t i s requi red of
any organization, other than a municipality, thatwislhes to operate a public
utility, including electric power, corrmunications, gas, water, sewer, or
refuse utilit1es. The Alaska Public Utilities Corrmis:sion has broad authority
to review the nature of the proposed utility system andits ability to serve
public needs adequately.
Housing
For a work camp in the Beluga area, employee hou:sing would probably be
built by Placer Amex, Inc. (the coal-field developer) or Chugach Electrk
Association (if it chooses to develop coal-fired generating plants).
The state•s Department of Labor adlllinisters health and safety standards
for construction-camp housing under Alaska•s Industri;al Housing Code. The
Department•s Safety Compliance Section inspects housing only after construc-:
tion to check for compliance with state and federal standards. However, the
Voluntary Compliance Section is available to review housing plans in advance .
of construction at the devel oper• s request. The stat1e standards requi re a
minimum of 400 cubic feet per person. The state regulations do not require
the developer to remove the structures when industrial activity terminates,
although this can be stipulated as a condition of oth,er state or local permit
approvals.
In the case of full-scale community development, housing can be provided
through the private market, with or without a government ,subsidy, or through
a housing authority. The permanent corrmunity described in coal development
2-8!.
scenario 3 would-proba"bly require a combination of industry•providêd ··
hbusing for construction workers and privately financed family residences
to accommodate permanent residents.
There are two basic home-ownership alternatives for permanent residential
development:
• conventional, single-family dwellings (individually financed and insured)
located on individual lots in a residential subdivision
• individual family cooperative shares in a residential complex or planned
unit deve 1 opme nt, us i ng common project financi ng, ut il it i es, open spa ce,
and insurance services.
The construction of rental units (apartments) is also a possibility.
Financing for permanent housing may be obtained through a variety of
programs. The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) housing finance program
funds construction of both single-family housing and rental housing. The
programs are designed for low-and moderate-income families; the effective
incarne ceiling for Alaska is about $25,000 per family. In 1977, the state's
total allocation for FmHA rental-housing-construction assistance was $3 million.
The FmHA area office in Soldotna serves the Kenai Peninsula Borough,
Kodiak, and the Aleutian Chain. Currently, 90% of the office's home-loan
activity is concentrated in the Kenai-Soldotna area. In the 1976-77 fiscal
year, the Soldotna office of the FmHA lent a record $6.2 million for
128 single-family dwellings and $2.1 million for rental-unit projects _in
Kenai.
FmHA will fund individual home construction involving on-lot systems
if the property is owned by the prospective resident. However, on-lot
systems are not encouraged. Larger developments would be required by FmHA
to include community or package water and sewer systems or, at a minimum,
sewer systems with evidence of gooçl water available on a lot-by-lot basis.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a range of
programs to assist in the development of new housing. Included in its
2-88
programs are mortgage and loan insurance assistance to low-and moderate-
income families through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for sing1e-
family homes, including mobile homes. FHA also insures mortgages made by
private lending institutions to finance the construction of multifamily
rental housing by either private or .public developers. The project must
contain at least eight dwelling units. Application for funds under this
program can be submi tted by i.nves tors, bu il ders, deve lopers, and any other.s
who meet the FHA requirements if the housing project is located in an area
approved by the FHA for rental housing and if market conditions indicate a
\
need for such housing.
Sorne housing construction may also be possible under the jurisdiction·
of the Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA). It is one of 13 regional housing
authorities created by a special act of the state legislature to meet moderate-
and low-income housing needs. Encompassing the Beluga coal district, CIHA
has worked with the Tyonek Natiye Corporation to finance new housing in the
village.
Community Transportation
Future decisions by industry on the volume of coal to be mined will set
the overall requirements for surface transportation in the Beluga area.
Once that information is available to the state, community public transpor-
tation needs can be assessed. The primary state agencies involved will be
the Departments of Community and Regional Affairs, Nàtural Resources, and
Transportation and Public Facilities.
In addition to broad responsibility for planning regional road, mari.ne,<
and air transportation systems, the State Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOT/PF) is respons1ble for the construction of state
roads and federally assisted road and ,highway projects. Local transportation
facilities, such as boat harbors, airports, and streets are also eligible
for DOT/PF funding. Programs range from grant assistance for locally con-
structed projects to actual state project construction, including state
' airport construction and improvement projects, state boat harbor construction
2-89
and grants .to eligible municipalities. Responsibility for maintenance may
be assumed by the state or may be delegated to local government.
DOT/PF grant funds are usually dispersed tc a home-rule city, first-
class city, or a borough. A new community in the Beluga area could apply
directly tc DOT/PF if it were incorporated or designated as a developm~nt
city. Otherwise, DOT/PF would work through the Kenai Peninsula Borough tc
set project priorities and funding le.vels for local projects.
2-90-
~~
'""-'·
RE COMMEN DA TI ONS
RECOMMENDED RE~E~RC~.
As an outgrowth of the research reported in this report, the authors have
become aware of a number of pressing tapies associated with energy and economie,
development in the Beluga area that we believe should receive further study
in the near future. This section briefly describes these proposed research
tapies.
All such future research should be addressed in order to:
1. clarify and emphasize the processes of change and adjustment
associated with energy and economie development that are unique
to Alaska;
2. resolve the problem of distinguishing development impacts from
baseline trends that will occur in any case because of the
overall economie and social growth occurring in Alaska;
3. give special attention to the interests and problems of Alaskan
natives;
4. examine the distribution of economie and socia.l costs and benefits
throughout the impact region;
' .
5. suggest clear policy implications of the development and its
impacts for both the Kenai Peni nsula Borough a1nd the state of
Alaska.
All research and planning efforts concerning the Be!luga a rea shoul d
be approached from an interdisciplinary perspective, with social scientists,
physical scienti sts, planners, public official s, enginee!rs, and representa-
tives ofnative organizations working together as a team. All of this work
should be coordinated by a central body to prevent waste!ful duplication and
to faci1itate open communication among all involved parties. And this work
. 1
should be initiated well in advance of the actual beginrling of development
2-91
activities, t~ ensure that adequate preparatory steps are taken before
rather than after impacts begin occurring.
Alaska Energy Worker Profile
Research has been conducted on the characteristics of construction
workers in the Great Plains area, but the people who work on energy develop-
ment projects in A 1 as ka may be different in many respects. We therefore·
·• propose that a study be conducted to determine the characteristics and
actions of workers who both seek and obtain employment on energy projects
in Alaska. Such information would be of great value in forecasting the
planning for the socioeconomic impacts that might result from a future
project such as Beluga coal-field development. This study should gather
the following kinds of information about the workers:
1. age, sex, race, education, marital status, number and ages of
dependents, income, and similar personal characteristics;
2. previous employment, migration history, labor union status, range
of occupational skills, and other occupational background data;
3. current employment status, job activities and responsibiliti.es,
job satisfaction, spouse employment, and other current occupational
data;
4. residential location and housing preferences, satisfaction with
the area and the community, and similar social orientations;
5. job preferences, anticipated tenure on current job, future job
plans, desire to remain in Alaska, and related future plans.
This research might also explore the role of local labor unions in
finding and recruiting energy workers in Alaska. These.union policies
and practices will significantly i.nfluence who works on energy development
projects, where they come from, where they will live, how they will differ
from local residents, regional employment levels, and future economie growth
in the region.
2-92
~ .. ti .._.,
"-"'
J'
;.nergy Development Monitoring
, Assessments of anticipated future impacts of energy development projects
are forecasts based on judgments and estimates, and hence are subject to
considerable error. If and when these projects are initiated, it is vital
that they be closely monitored to identify and measure their actual impacts
so that appropriate impact management strategies can be~ implemented as
needed. In addition, such monitoring provides much valuable data for
improving future impact assessments. Consequently, as soon as a decision
is made to move ahead with coal development at Beluga, an impact monitoring.
program should imnediately be implemented. This progratm would. collect data
on an ongoing basis on both local and regional socioeco,nomic impacts of
thé project, with particular attention to the native village of Tyonek.
Especially crucial in this endeavor would be identifying the distribution
of costs and benefits associated with the project, to dletermine what people
were bearing what kinds of costs from the project, and what people were
reaping what kinds of benefits.
Meanwhile, prior to the initiation of any energy development projects,
a considerable amount of preparatory work needs to be clone, so that a moni-
toring program can be implemented quickly whenever nece!ssary. This preparatory
resèarch would include collecting and standardizing cur·rent baseline data
within uniform geographical boundaries, identifying key impact indicators
and,devising measures of them, and selecting appropriate levels and units ·
of analysis for impact monitoring.
New Community Planning
With extensive development of the Beluga coal fielld, as depicted in our
scenario 3, a new permanent community would almost certainly be established
in that area. To minimize the problems that could occur in this process, ·
and to ensure that the new community met the needs of iits inhabitants, con-
siderable contingency physical and social planning for the comnunity should
be conducted we 11 in advance of actual coa 1-fi e 1 d deve li opme nt. This planning
' should cover such topics as the following:
2-93
i
1. selection of a suitable town site;
2. comprehensive land-use planning for this site and the surrounding
area;
3. grou nd and surface water av ai 1 ab il i ty and soi 1 candi ti ons
suitable for waste disposal;
4. desirability of applying the development city statute
(AS 29.18.220-460) to the community;
5. design and financing of community public buildings and recreational
faci l ities;
6. provision of adequate housing accommodations;
7. development and financing of public services, especially during
the fi rst years of the communi ty • s existence;·
8. organization of a community government;
9. transportation facilities between the community and Anchorage;.
10. economie and political relationships between the community and
Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the State of Alaska.
Area Oevelopment Assessment
Large-scale coal mining in the Beluga area cou1d induce various indus-
tries to locate there to utilize the coal. If this should occur, the entire
B~luga area would experience rapid and intensive economie and social growth,
leading to numerous socioeconomic and other impacts and proplems. An ade-
qua te impact assessment, perfo.rmed we 11 in ad vance of any su ch growth, coul d
provide the information necessary to plan for and manage these impacts,
however. We therefore suggest that an impact assessment be performed now
on the potential conseq4ences of extensive industrial development in the
Beluga area. This assessment should caver such tapies as:
1. alternative land~us~ plans for the entire area;
2. necessary and feasible transportation facilities between the
area and Anchorage;
2-94
c.J
~
~'
3. responsibilities of the Kenai Peninsula BoroiJigh and the stat~ of
Alaska for coordinating and regulating develc1pment in the aréa;·
4. potential accrual of tax revenues to the borc1ugh and the state;
5. potential lease royalties to Cook Inlet Regi(m, Inc.;
6. effects of development on the water resources, soil conditions,
wildlife and fish habitats, and other environmental conditions;
7. labor force availability and the need to attr·act additional
workers from outside the Cook Inlet region;
8. effects of developmen~ on the regional economy, including stimu-
lation of 'secondary economie growth;
9. possible population growth in the region resulting directly or
indirectly from development in the Beluga arE~a;
10. consequences of su ch deve 1 opme nt for the nat'i ve vi 11 age of Tyonek .
.,._, Tyonek Ethnographie Profile
"'
The sociocultural and historical characteristics of the Tyonek natives
differ markedly from those of nonnative people in Alaska, and the Tyoneks.
are also culturally distinct from other Alaskan native peoples such as
Esk·imos, Aleuts, and southeastern Alaska tribal coiJITiun'ities. If conflicts
over development on or near native lands are to be avo·ided or minimized,
it is vital that.those who initiate and manage this development understand
the Tyonek value and belief systems, normative standards, conflict resolution
procedures, and similar cultural traits. Without such understanding among
developers, planners, and public officials, even minor disputes wi'th the
Tyonek people could easily flare into major confrontat·ions.
At the present time, very little is known about tlhe Tyonek culture.
We therefore recoiJITiend that a carefully researched ethnographie profile of
the Tyonek people and their culture should be compiled in advance of any
development project in the area. Compiling this profile would requir~ ·
considerable effort and time, since the Tyoneks are very.hesitant to talk
2-95-
op~nly with outsiders. Nevertheless, this profile--in conjunction with
the energy worker profile--could provide a basis for establishing effective
' interaction and COIII!11unication processes with the Tyonek people. The resul_t . .
wo,Uld be a more cooperative and beneficial climate for everyone involved, i
natives and developers.
Tyonek Impact Prevention
When energy development projects are located near native villages SIJCh
as Tyonek, the residents of these villages are very likely to experience
se'vere social, cultural, and psychological impacts that they cannot handl'è ..
The consequences of these pressures can range from alcohol and drug abuse
or other forms of personal deviance to the disappearance of native cultural
traditions or destruction of the entire vill•ge.
Two lines of action are required to prevènt these impacts from occurring,
both of which call for extensive research and planning in advance of any
development projects. The first approach focuses on the village as a whole.
lt, involves devising strategies and procedures that the village can use to
minimize the extent to which the development project impinges on village
li fe,. thereby limiting the nature and intensity of the impacts experienced •.
The second approach is aimed at individuals who are seriously affected by
disruptions of native cultural patterns. Common symptoms of such personal
problems are alcohol and drug abuse and mental illness, so that the aim in
th1s case is to establish programs to prevent such problems from developing
by ~elping individuals to co.pe with the stresses they are experiencing.
Tyonek is already experiencing a serious alcohol problem, yet very little
is presently known about how to organize and operate alcohol ëlnd drug pre_,
vention programs in native villages. The goal of research on both these
approaches to impact prevention would be to provide native villages suçh :as
Tyonek with opportunities for exercising self-determination in preservin~
their traditional culture and lifestyle.
2-96
~
~
\
~~
0
"
POSSIBLE STEPS TO PREVENT UNACCEPTABLE IMPACTS ,. . ,.-. . . -. .. . -.
General Guidelines
Interpersonal and intergroup confl ict between Tyonetk residents and coal
field developers can be minimized or prevented. In addiition, the preferred
li fe style of. Tyonek residents can be maintained in the presence of a minimum
of influence and impact by the development. If change 11s to occur in Tyonek,
the decision should emanate from the village residents amd not from an outside
development firm.
An effective procedure for minimizing social impacts and social conflicts
would be to establish an active collaborative arrangemer1t between the two
groups. A standing committee of comnunity representatives could be formed
to meet at least monthly to review, discuss, and recolllJIEmd various courses
' of action. Comnittee members would be responsible for processing in,formation
and preparing relevant materials, distributing materiah to their respective
constituents, soliciting and consolidating feedback from community members
at all leveis, and promoting a consensus concerning steps to take on matters
requiring action.
Needs and concerns of bath communities could be chainneled through t~.e
committee. In sorne cases,. the comnittee might find it necessary to form
subcommittees to address particular comnunity concerns or issues. Equal
representation at all level s woul d be essential if the c:ommunities were to
achieve reasonable policy decisions. The formation of at permanent collabor-
ative working commi.ttee would be a simple but reasonab1E1 approach to main-
taining open ·channels of communication between the two c:ommunities.
It must be emphasized that the Tyoneks are the native residents of the·
region. Their cultural heritage, life style, and desire~ to retain their
way of life must be respected and acknowledged by outsidle developers. The
Tyonek residents have a right to exert sorne controls on the impact that
coal development may have on the village. Whether outsiders intend to resjde
in the region permanently is not important; what is impo~rt~nt is the fact
that Tyonek residents are the permanent residents .
. 2-97
: Coal developers must be aware of the impact of their presence and of
the Jong-term effects on the community produced by the entire coal mining
ope~ation. In planning, coal developers should give direct and immediate
attention to several considerations:
1. recognition of the differences in cultural backgrounds of community
residents. If developers anticipate training and hiring Tyonek
residents, steps should be taken to accommodate cultural and life-
style orientations. For example, instead of requiring Tyoneks to
11 punch a clock" or work "from 9 to 5," developers could institute
flexible time schedules.
2. preparation of formalized and rigid contraTs to regulate the sale
and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Tyonek has an ordinance
that forbids the sale and consumption of alcohol within the village
boundaries. Alcohol consumption and the potential for alcoholism
is a major concern of the IRA Council. Future developers should
be aware of this concern and should take steps to regulate and
control alcohol consumption within their own communities.
3. recognition of the differences between the Tyonek life style and
that of the typical outsider. To understand, appreciate, and be
in a po.sition to respond positively to Tyonek interests, developers
should make efforts to inform incoming residents and workers of the
differences in life styles. This could be accomplished through a
short series of preentry workshops in which the values, beliefs,
preferences, and life styles of the Tyonek are explained in detail.
Tyonek representatives could be extremely helpful in preparing
instructional materials.
4.. assessment of the impact that coal development in the Beluga region
could have on migratory patterns of indigenous fauna. Sorne Tyonek
residents are subsistence hunters who rely heavily on seasonal
wildlife migratory patterns. The impact of the entire coal develop-
ment operation on wildlife should be assessed, not only· for the
sake of the wildlife itself but for its effect on subsistence
hunting.
2-98
\.1
'vJ
~·
\_/
1
"'-"
..
/
5. assessment by the Kenai Borough in collaborati1on with Tyonek repre-
sentatives of the impact and added burden of additional students
attending the Tyonek school. Specifie efforts should be made to
hire more native teachers, counselors, and administrators to ensure
that the particular cultural and educational nŒ!eds of Tyonek youth
will be met.
6. assessment by Kenai Borough and state law enfo1rcement agencies,
in co 11 abora ti on wi th Tyonek representa ti v es a1nd deve 1 opers of 1 aw
'
enforcement issues and policy. Jurisdictional matters should be
clarified and confinned. Use of Tyonek resi.de1nts as potential
law enforcement agents should be encouraged.
7. review and assessment of land use and right-of-way issues. At
present, roads connect Tyonek with the TTC ope1ration and the a·rea
around the coal fields. In addition, several lakes on Tyonek land
could be used for recreational purposes. Use 10f the roads for
travel through Tyonek, and of the lakes and th1e land in general
should be discussed with Tyonek representatives. Village boundaries
shoul~ be made clear to developers and outside1rs and the desires
of the Tyonek residents should be acknowledged and followed.
,·
8. recognition of the Tyonek residents' long-standing traditional
fishing sites. As indicated previously, many 10f the Tyonek are
subsi stence fishermen. Oevel opers and outside1rs shoul d be aware
of the locatjon of· fishing sites and their use should be of
primary concern in planning discussions with Tyonek representat~ves.
9. monitoring and evaluation of the process of co.al development and
its subsequent effects on the Tyonek natives by a third party.
Data could be collected to determine the impacts on quality of
1 ife, li fe satisfaction, impacts on overall standards of 1 iving,
and the success or fa.ilure of collaborative efforts.
2-99
Impl 1ementation Suggestions
These recommendations are offered for discussion purposes. They primarily
su~gest ways to plan for coal-field development so that adverse effects are
minimized.
State Policy Development
An essential first step in the planning effort is formulating an overall
state policy toward Beluga coal-field development and the provision of
related services and facilities. One of the policy questions to be addressed
is whether the state wishes to encourage and subsidize the development of a
permanent, full-scale community 'in the Beluga area. A related question is
whether the success of the coal development project depends on develpping
suc~ a community.
The infrastructure needs and public service costs of alternative community
types (work camp, company town, full-scale community) should be assessed,
along with the possible relationship of a new community to Tyonek and the
Kenai Peninsula Borough. T.Yonek wants to minimize impacts on its facilities
and potential disruptio~ of village life. The borough, on the ether hand,
has,expressed little interest in actively influencing or guiding development
in the area. Together, these two positions indicate that most program
responsibility for providing community infrastructure and support would
rest with the state.
~
The Beluga Task Force should analyze these issues and develop policy
options for review by the governor's office. The ability of each state
ag~ncy to support community development through ongoing programs must be
delineated and a possible plan of action developed. Policy development
should include a detailed investigation of the desirability of applying the
Development Cities legislation to the Beluga project.
The task force should not initiate a detailed analysis of community
development needs until it appears likely that Placer Amex, Inc. will oroceed
with coal developm~nt. As noted early in the chapter, this will depend on
'-"
;,
'~
~
Chugach Electric Association's interest in developing coal-fired generating plants, j~
. ~
2-100
""-'
'1'
'
or Placer Amex•s ability to develop an export market for the coal. In the
interim, the three scenar.ios and possible areas of intervention presented
in this report can guide the task force in assessing sorne of the key policy
issues.
The membership of the Beluga Task Force, with one E!xception, encompasses
the state agencies most closely linked to the policy issues. The Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities, which has respo1nsibility for trans;.;
portation systems and planning, might also be included because questions of
long-term policy related to transportation are important components of new
community development in the Beluga area. Representatives from the Kenai
Peninsula Borough, the Cook Inlet Region, Inc., and the Tyonek Native Corpo-
ration should be invited to participate in at least so~! of the task force
meetings and, possibly, as permanent members of the tas~: force.
Land-Use Planning
The Kenai Peninsula Borough should develop land USE! policies to guide
development on private lands in the Beluga area. These land-use policies
should include criteria or performance standards for siting both industrial
and residential uses. Guidel ines for the lease and sale! of borough-owned
land should also be developed, especially since portions; of borough land
have been identified as possible sites for the proposed corrvnunity. It is
crucial that poli cf es and standards be adopted by the B()rough Assembly before
coal-field development begins.
This planning effort could be coordinated with the borough•s port and
harbor study and development of the district coastal management program ..
Background information and poli cy suggestions will be avai 1 able from the
Cook Inlet Coastal Zone Regional Planning Study and the ongoing South Central
Water Resources Study. Because of the regional and statewide implications.
of industrial development in the Beluga area, it would be appropriate for
the state to assist in funding this planning effort.
2-101
Town Site Planning
If a fu11-scale community is to be developed in the Beluga area, detailed
physical and social planning must be accomplished for the town site. This
plan should be a cooperative effort involving the coal-field developer, the
Ken ai Borough, and state agenci es. Placer Amex, Inc. mi ght be will i ng to
help fund the planning work, possibly in conjunction with Chugach Electric
Association. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Department might administer
the actual planning study, which could be accomplished in-house or by a
private consultant.
Several considerations should be incorporated into town-site planning
and construction:
• Community development should be staged because expected population
levels may change if coal-field development does not proceed as
predicted.
• Utilities (water, sewer, power) could be provided initially by industry,
with eventual transfer to a'public body as the community grows and
revenue sources develop.
• .Transportation facilities such as roads, docks, and airports should
be built to serve the combined needs of the mining operation and the
new community.
• Housing units should be clustered, rather than dispersed over a large
'area, to save costs on the provision of water, sewer, and ether
uti1ities.
• Industries should be required, through contr~ct stipulations, to remove
temporary work-camp housing, and to convert it to ether convnunity uses
following the construction period.
• Potential or typical residents of the new community should be surveyed
about their preferences and expèctations
opportunities, and shopping facilities.
distributed to local builders.
2-102
for housing, recreational
This information should be
'
~
-"'
~.
.-,
1~
...
"'-"'
~'
1
• The conmunity site.should be located at a sufficient distance from the
vi 11 age of Tyonek to mi ni mi ze i nterchange and poss ii b 1 e dis rupti on
to vi 11 age 1 ife.
Employment and Job Training
Coal-field development could benefit the local economy by providing
new jobs for Tyonek and other Kenai Peninsula Borough ri!Sidents. Industry
hiring practices should be carefully monitored to ensur1! that qualified local
workers are hired for both pennanent and temporary jobs. Local job training
programs should be established with financial and techn·ical support from the
coal-field developer.
Financing Community Services
The coal-field developer should be requi red to bea1r most of the costs
of establishing and operating a work camp since its purpose would be to
facilitate coal-field development. A full-scale commun·ity, on the othér
hand, would serve many purposes. Its financial support should therefore
come from a combination of local, state, and private so1urces.
While coal-field development wôuld eventually cont1ribute financially
to service provision through the property'tax, capital improvements are
likely to be required before these new tax revenues bec10me available. This
problem with the timing of property tax revenues can be alleviated through
the prepayment of industry taxes. Several states,. including Oregon and
Montana, have passed legislation to allow for the prepayment of taxes. In
exchange for the tax prepayment, the industrial developrer i s usually offered
a reduction in future taxes directly or, indirectly, through a reduced tax
assessment. The reduction should never exceed the total amount of the pre-
payment plus interest.
In another example, Skagit County in Washington St1ate recently executed
a tax prepayment agreement with Puget Sound·Power and Light Company as a
conditio'n of a zone change agreement for a proposed nuclear power plant.
The agreement provides for aonst~ation impaat payments to,the sc~ool district
and for law enforcement. The school impact payments ar1e designed to cover . .
2-103
whatever additional maintenance, operation, and ca.pitëll costs the-scf'lool
dis,trict incurs as a result of enrollments during project construction. The
developer also agrees to pay the cost of portable classrooms, if they are
required, and any law enforcement staff and equipment costs incurred as a
res,ul t of the construction-period population influx. Tax prepayment agree-
ments should be investigated as a possibility for Beluga-area development.
"
/
2-104
[~
"'
~·
\
\J
..
SUMMARY
Plans are under way to mine the Beluga coal fields on the west side of
Cook Inlet. The coal will be strip-mined for export, or to supply local
electric generating plants, or both. Over the next 20 years, this coal
development activity is likely to generate' social and economie impacts at the
local, regional, and state levels. The purpose of this study is to assess the
potential social and economie effects of coal development, including employment
and population growth, regional impacts, and the facil ity and service needs of
a new settlement in the Beluga area. Of special concern is identifying the'
role of various governmental agencies in the development pr,ocess. Potential
affects on the natural environment are not examined in detail since they are
expected to ,be controlled to acceptable levels thràugh existing federal and·
state laws.
This report examines three possible levels of coal-field development and ·
the settlement requirements associated with each. Scenario 1 postulates a low
~·· level of coal mining to supply local generating facilities. Initial construc-
tion activities in 1980 would create a total population of about 200 persans,
increasing to over 500 in 1982 and 1983, and leveling off at 320 in 1986, when
the construction phase would be complete. Scenario 2 assumes thatmining
..
-. '
would begin in 1990 to supply coal for an export market. A population ôf 300
to 320 would be associated with this mining activity and w.ould remain fairly
stable over the years unless the volume of coal being mined and exported were
considerably increased. 8oth scenarios 1 and 2 would require a permanent work
camp to house construction, mining, operating, and support workers and any
nonemployed dependants.
Scenario 3 assumes that two coal-fired generating plants would be con-
structed in the Beluga area between 1980 and 1985, and that six million tons
of coal would be exported, beginning in 1990. A work camp would .serve workers
until about 1989, when it would begin to evolve into a full-scale community~
with a dive,rsity of housing types and services. By 1991, a population of over
1300 residents might be r~ached.
2-105
J:
The most probable regional impacts associated with Beluga coal~field
development will include effects on the regional labor force, the market for
coal, and the generation and distribution of revenues. The main regional
labor force impacts will be positive in nature. The rate of regional unem-
ployment is likely to decline slightly for the duration of the project, with
an increase in wage income available for reinvestment in the region and a
reduction in the number of individuals receiving unemployment insurance
payments. Coal development is not expected to induce any significant in-
migration of workers from outside the Anchorage-Kenai Peninsula Borough
region.
The development of the Beluga coal resources and the production of
electricity from coal would add to the Kenai Peninsula Borough•s tax base.
The assessed value of coal lands around Beluga would likely increase and, in
addition, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. would be the recipien~ of royalties from
coal leases.
The land requirements for a ne.w settlement in the Beluga area will
vary, depending on whether a work camp or full-scale community is planned.
A 500-person work camp, with dormitory housing, a kitchen-dining hall, and
recreation facil ittes may require about 40 acres of land. A permanent
community for about 1500 people would likely require from 600 to 1200 acres,
depending on density and design. It would need to include a school, recre-
ation ,center and park, clinic, police-fire station, city hall, and retail
commercial area,. in addition to both single-and multi-family housing.
A 'number of factors will affect the choice of settlement site, including
slope, drainage, soils conditions, ·land ownership, and access to transporta.,.
tion facilities. Placer Amex Inc. has suggested an area near Congahbuna Lake,
to the west of the former Moquawkie Reservation, as a likely settlement
site.
Housing requirements for a work camp would pro~ably be met by prefabri-
cated structures, primarily dormi tory units for single workers and a small
number of two-and three-bedroom houses or mobile homes for familles. A
full-scale community would also require dormitory housing initially, until
2-106
v
v
..
•
.... -.......,
·~
~
"
v
thecconstruction period is completed. Housing demand would then shift to a
mixture of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, including mobile homes •. The
total required housing units under scenario 3 is expected to be about 475
from the year 1991 on.
Classrooms and teachers will be provided by the KE!nai Peninsula Borough
School District for any school-age children who live in the project area.
Few children are likely to live in a work-camp settingn but a full-scale
conmunity is expected to attract many famil ies. A contnunity with a popu-
lation of 1300 residents could ;require school facil itiE!S for over 280 pupils.
Other services. and facil ities required by a new st!ttlement incl ude
police and fire protection, recreational services, parks, libraries, medical
care, water and sewer systems, roads, and electrié powt!r. The role of state
and local agencies in providing these services and fac'il ities will depend to
a large extent upon the legal status of the new settlernent. State support
of 1 oca 1 pub 1 i c servi ces cou 1 d range from ac tua 1 pro vi:; ion to fi nanc i a 1
support of programs admi ni ste red by a 1 oca 1 government .. A Deve Zopment City
could be established under existing state statute, inc1reasing the settlement's
el igibil ity for financial assis,tance from state agench!s.
Life in the village of Tyonek could be disrupted lby coal development
and any associated new settlement in the area. Tyonek residents may become
a minority in their own region and have difficulty mai1ntaining their preferred
lifestyle. Social problems can emerge that would affe1ct education, traditional
subsi sten ce efforts, and conmunity bel iefs and attitud1es. However, pre·ventive
measures can .be taken to minimize adverse impacts by assisting coal developers
and new workers to understand the needs and priorities of Tyonek residents ..
Governmental and private agencies with interests in the Beluga area
• include the Tyonek Village Council, the Tyonek Native Corporation, Cook
Inlet Region Inc., the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the State of Alaska~
All of these organizations are li kely to become inval v1ed in various aspects
of coal-field development.
2-107
_. __ _._..__..__._.~.__.._~~_.._._.__..__. __ _._._.._nM .. ~=---~~----~._.__.mm._-.~.--.~~-----~~~~~~~~----~~--------~~~-~
~
CHAPTER REËERENCES
DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
Alaska Consultants, Inc. Cit~ of Lost River Pre~ApKl icaltion Proposal. Dra ft.
U.S. Department of Housing an Orban IJevelopment. · · nchc•rage, AK. October
1972.
Argonne National Laboratories. A Framework for ProJectiing Employment and
Population Changes Accompanying Energy ôevelopment. Arnonne, IL. 1976.
CH2M HILL, INC. Communi ty Impacts of Al umax Aluminum RE!duction Plant Port of
Umatilla. Alumax Pacifie Corp. April 1975.
CH2M HILL, INC. Offshore Oil Development in Lower Cook Inlet: Implications
for the Kenai Peninsula. July 1978.
Institute for Sodal and Economie Research. Ener8,y Int•msive Industry for
Alaska, Phase IV: Social and Economie Impacts.. raft. June 1978.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Department. Comprehemdve Comnunity Develop~
ment Plan for Tyonek. Soldotna,, AK. September 1972.
1 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Annual Financ'ial Report FY 1976.;.77.
"-" 1977.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Enrollment Projections and School
Cons truc ti on Report. Apri 1 1977. · · ·
Klockenteger, G. 11 Impact Madel of Sub-Regional Alaskan Employment: Economie
Analysis.11 State of Alaska Department of Labor. 1972.
Land Design/Research, Inc. Cast Effective Site Planninla: Washington, D.C .•
National Association of Home Builders. 1976.
Placer Amex, .Inc. Beluga Coal Proj.ect Status Report. San Francisco,
December 1977.
Spencer, R. F., et al. The Native Americans. New York, Harper and Row. 1965.
State of Alaska, Division of Energy and Power Developme1nt, Department of
Commerce and Economie Development. Alaska Regional Ene1rgy Resources Planning
Project. Draft Report, Phase 2, Vol. 3. July 1978.
State of Alaska, Office.of the Governor, Division of Pliilnning & Research ..
Review of Preliminary Plan for Development C1t,y of Lost River, Alaska.
Juneau, AK. Septembër 1973. · · ... . · ·· · . · ·
2-108
Susskind, Lawrence and Michael o•Hare. Managing the Social and Economie
Impacts of Ener~ Development. Summary Report: Phase L MIT Energy Impacts
Project. ëambr1 ge, M~. La6oratory of Architecture and Planning,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, December 1977.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Projects: Ideas for State and Local Action, 1976.
U.S. Public Health Service. 11 Tyonek House to House Survey ... May 1978.
Watts, Griffis and McQuat Limited. Communitx Development Program for the New
Cit~ of Lost River, Alaska. Lost River Mining CorporatH:m Umited. Toronto,
197 .
CONTACTS
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Chief Chester Davis, Nikiski Fire Service Area, Kenai Peninsula Borough
Jim Hall, Kenai Peninsula Borough School Dis tri ct
Frank Mcllhargy, Overall Economie Development Program, Kenai Penînsula
Borough
Ron Rice, Engineer, Kenai Peninsula Borough
Ike Waits, Planner, Kenai Peninsula Borough
Philip Waring, Planning Director, Kenai Peninsula Borough
State of Alaska
•
Glenn Akins, Division of Planning, Department of Environmental Conservation
Carol Bennett, Division .of Energy and Power Development, Department of·
Commerce and Economie Development
Lloyd Cavasos, Di vi sion of Land & Water Management, Department of Natural
Resources
Kyle Cherry, Anchorage District Director, Department of Environmental Conser-
vation
John Clark, Habitat Protection, Department of Fish and Game
Romain Clark, Forestry Division, Department of Natural Resources
Matt Connover, Division of Community Planning, Department of Community and
Regional Affairs
2-109
'.J
•"J
\J
Nick Coti, Department of Health and Social Services
Jim Deagan, Division of Economie Enterprise, Department of Cormterce and
Economie Development
Larry Eccles, Cook Inlet Housing Authority
George Gee, Division of Lands, Department of Natural RE!sources
John Halterman, Office of the Governor, Division of Pollicy Development and
Planning
Tom Hanna, Director, Air Quality Division, Department C)f Environmental Con-
servation
Bob Jenks, Municipal. Land Trustee, Department of Community and Regional Affairs
Keith Kel ton, Director, Water Qual ity Division, Depart~~~ent of Commerce and
Economie Development
Dr. Dona Lehr, Office of the Governor, Di vi sion of Pol1icy Oevel opment and
Planning
Jeff Lowenfels, District Attorney General's Office
Don McGee, Division of Geological & Geophysical Survey~i, Department of Natural
Resources
Pete Nelson, Di vi sion of Lands, Department of Natural ftesources
Karen Paulick, Division of Economie Enterprise, Department of Conmerce and
Economie Development
Mr. Plessinger, Safety Compl iance Section, Department C)f Labor
Pat Poland, Local Government Assistance Division, Depay•tment of Conmunity and
Regional Affairs ·
Gene Rutledge, Division of Energy and Power Development, Department of
Commerce and E.conomic Development
Corporal Schaedle, D Detachment, Soldotna Office, Alaska State Troopers
Mark Stephens, Division of Conmunity Planning, DepartmEmt of Conmunity and
Regional Affairs ·
Tom Trent, District Habitat Protection Officer, Depar~~nt of Fish and Game
'
Jim Weideman, Director, Division of Economie EnterprisEl, Departm~nt of
. Commerce and Economi c Deve 1 opmerit · · · ·
2-119.
Maurice Wilson, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Federal
Jim Martin, Director, Johnson-O'Malley Program, Bureau of Indian Affairs
James Patterson, Environmental Health Branch, U.S. Department of HEW
Wallace Riehle, Farmers Home Administration, Soldotna Area Office, U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture
Frank Urabeck, Director, South Central Water Resources Planning Study
Jim Wolfe, Permits Section, Corps of Engineers
Other
Agnes Brown, president, Tyonek Native Corporation
Curtis Dowden, Marathon Oil Comp~ny
Charles. Evans, Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center, University
of Alaska
Roy Huhndorf, President, Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
Roger Imhoff, Tyonek Timber Company
Michael Jones, Habitat North
Esther Kaloa, Village of Tyonek
Carl Marrs, Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
Bonnie McCord, Tyonek Village Council
Kirk' McGee, Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
Stan Miller, General Manager, ATCO Structures, Inc.
Bill Moran, Chugach Electric Assoc.
Jerry Munson, Chugach Electric Assoc.
Benno Patsch, Project Engineer, Placer Amex, Inc.
Tom Riley, PG&E, San Franci seo
L. J. Schultz, General Manager, Chugach Electric Assoc.
2-1,11
~
~
'-'
"-'.
George Spernak, Spernak Airways Company
William Stewa~t, S1masko Production Co.
Ward Swift, Pacifie Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington
Jay Weedenbach, Kodiak Lumber Company
Pat Wennekens, Arctic Environmental Infonnation and Dati!l Center, University of
Alaska
We1ner Wiesinger, Tyonek Timber Company
Ron Winn, Tyonek Timber Company
2-112
·"?
~
'-'•
t
.;.
~
APPENDIX 2-A
TYONEK HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SURVEY*
Total number of dwel 1 fngs in Tyonek -57 hourse and 9 tr•aflers
Total number of dwellings surveyed -52
No. of
Sewage Systems HOt.!!!! Percent
No sewage prôblems in past few years 13 25
Leaching problems ~~0 38
New seepage pit or septic tank wfthin
past 3 years 15 29
Septic tank pumped within last 2 years 11 21
Pipes breaking or seepage pit or septic
tank freezfng 7 13
Water System.
Like the water 2~6 50
Dislike water because of: ~~2 42
Swampy taste or sme11 ( 8} (15)
c1 2 taste or smell ( 4) (; 8)
Iron taste or smell ( 8) (15)
Sul fur smel1 ( 1) ( 2)
"Bad" sme11 ( 2) ( 4)
Do not drink the water but use for washing
clothes and bath1ng purposes 6 12.
NOTE: Sorne houses had multiple sewage and multiple wate!r problems. Above
co 1 umns may add up to more than 52 houses or more1 than 1 00 percent.
*23 May 1978.
2-113
""'-
APf>ENDIX 2-S
COMMUNITV SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM~
1) Facultative Lagoon. This system could only be usecl if ample land is
available {requires the most land).
A facultative pond is a way,of treatment using bacteria that have the
ability to survive with or without oxygen to break down the organic load.
2) Aerated Lagoon. An aerated lagoon is a basin in which wastewater contents
are kept in suspension and to which oxygen is supp11 ied. to provide a
' .
primarily aerobic environment for the microorganisms. {Similar to
activated-sludge system, without sludge recycle.)
3) Mechanical Systems
Biological
Activated sludge. Uses a concentrated mass o'f microorganisms capa~le
of aerobically stabil izing a waste in conjunction with diffusion or
mechanical aeration to maintain the aerobic environment •
.8!§_. A fixed fi lm reactor, in which media ar~e continuously rotated
through wastewater. Biological degradation 01r::curs through both
aerobic and anaerobie processes. A low opera-ting cost system for
small installations.
ABf'. A fixed film reactor. in which wastewab!r is circulated over
solid media {wood, plastic, rock); it is ofte1n used in conjunction
with aeration (see activated sludge).
Physical{Chemical
Chemical s '.are used to enhance physical reactions (i.e .• 1 ime, ferric
ch lo~i de, a 1 um) . This system requ ires hi gh mai nte1nance.
,_\l
2-114
-/
APPENDIX 2•C
USGS SURFACE FLOW AND WELL RECORDS FOR THE BELUGA AREA
Flow Type
Location We 11 Records ( Penni t) (In Pennit}
T13N, R10W
Section 13 50 gpm
24. 50 gpm
25 75 gpm
27 40 gpm, 50 gpm, 500 gpm
'(144,000 gpd) Ground water
34 27 gpm, 10 gpm (28,400 gpd) Ground water
35 8gpm
T12N, R10W
~ Section 4a 60 gpm (2,000 gpd) Surface
4b 25 gpm (1,000 gpd) Surface
8 25 gpm
9 5,000 gpd Surface·
T12N, RllW
Section 8 12 gpm, 16 gpm, 16 gpm
TllN, RllW
Section 1 22 gpm
'
' )
2-115
S11W~3d ONV S3SN3:lll 0131~ lVO:l V90138
t ~3ldVH:l
CHAPTER 3
BELUGA COAL FIELD LI CENSES AND PERMIT$
INTRODUCTION
In March, 1978, the State of Al as ka Department of Commerce and Economie
Development, in cooperation with the State of Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation, published the first compilation of the
approvals required for development activities withtn the State of Alaska.
This compilation, the State of Alàska Directory _gf Permits, (Director.y)
was an inventory of all State and Federal agencies which have a regulatory
i nterest in business or indus tri a 1 deve 1 opme nt. Tht~ re su 1 ting document i s
particul arly appropria te for examination of the va ri ous agencies •
requirements and restrictions pertaining to co;al field development.
The Directory is one component of a larger program whose purpose is the
completion of a Developer• s Procedures Manual. In brief, this Manual
would be similar to an operations manual for dt~velopers. It will be
designed as a permit procedure for indus trial or commercial devel opment
within the State of Alaska.
The concept of a permitting procedures manual is not new. The need for
such a publication has been recognized for a long time. The last attempt
at the creation of such a manual was made by the Division of Policy
Development and Planning, Office of the Goyernor, in 1975. This project
however, was limited in scope, and covered only State land-related
permits. The information given was general and no account was made of the
Federal permit requi rements.
The Department of Commerce and' Economie Development has been interested in·
the procedures manual idea for a substantial period of time. The impetus
for the creation of ·a Developer's Procedures Manual came when the
Department of Commerce ànd Economie Development staff began to work with
the U.S. Borax Corporation on the requirements for opening their
molybdenum minCI! near Ketchi~an. At this point it became apparent that a
comprehensive (\lanual was necessary. Early work sh1owed there was a gap in
understanding between staff and the U.S. Borax people as to the permitting
process. Discussions with other State agencies showed that this was the
case throughout the bureaucracy. The department then decided to begin an
in-depth analysis of the permitting procedures within the State with .. the
ul timate goal being to create a comprehensive Developer's Procedures
Manual. ·
The Oirectory includes a description of the various approvals required and
i ncluded
cations,
examples
follows:
1.
2.
specifie information on plan reviews, permits, 1 icenses, certifi-
authorizations, leases, regulations and inspections. Sorne
of development activ,ity which would require a permit are as
Removal or harvesting of major vegetation;
Grading, removing, dredging, mining, or EXTRACTION of any min-
erals;
3. Construction, reconstruction, demolition, or alteration of any
structure; ·
4. Discharge or disposal of solid, liquid, gaseous or thermal waste
or any dredged material;
5. Placement or erection of any solid material or structure on
land, in water, or under water;
6. Change in dens i ty or i ntens i ty of the use of 1 and; or
7. Changes in intensity of use of water or altered access to, or
course of, water.
Through the issu i ng
influential partner
Beluga Coal Field.
natives). However,
of development pennits, the State of Alaska is an
in the t·imetable of any development including the
(See Chapter 2, Soèial Effects and Management Al ter-
as st~ted· in the introduction to the Directory,
"Wh ile each individual pennit may serve a val id purpose, the combin-
a ti on of many permits applicable to any given project, and confl ict-
ing procedures and regûlations ean act as a serious obstacle to goOd
development ... {The Directory) will hopefully lead to efforts to
ameliorate the. present situation."
3-2
,._J
1, ,i ~
At the present time the Director,y should not lbe considered the final
authority on coal field development permits in the State of Alaska.
Because of time constraints and ever changing procedures and regulations,
(both State and Federal), some permits could not be included. The permit
descriptions are intended to provide basic information, but for the most
up-to-date requi rements and procedures all interested persans shoul d
contra ct the appropria te age ney be fore beg i nning any devel opment activi ty.
(A selected collection of State Permi ts may be fou nd in Appendix I.)
In regard to the Beluga Coal Field development, a pennit scenario was
prepared by the State of Alaska Division of Econom·ic Enterprise. Although
this document is not in its final form, a draft copy of the outline · is
included to illustrate the stages of development as they are affected by
pemtit regulations. The final version of this paper will be completed ~Y
the State of Alaska Oepartment of Commerce and Economie Development,
Di vi sion of Econanic EnterpriSe. The final repo1rt will include the new
coal mining regulations which are presently being revised by the State of
Alaska Department of Natural Resources~
This chapter will r,eview permits and approvals nec:essary for the initial
development of the Beluga Coal· Field. Oevelopment: of this coal field and·
the recovery of the coal reSO\Jrces will be significantly impacted by the·
State of Alaska • s attempt to streaml ine the process of issuing pennits to
qualified developers.
LOCATION
Beluga Coal Field is approximately 40 mil es to the west of Anchorage and
is situated south of the Bruin Bay-Castle Mountain fault zone and has been.
extensively explored by pr·ivate industry since 1969. · From two to nine
exploration or mobile drills have been active in tlhe area each year. The
me a su red reserves amou nt to several tons of coal av a il able for surface .
m1n1ng. Unfortunately, the lease reserve figuries are still held as
confidential. Beluga Coal Field was origi nally leased to Pl ac er Amex by
3-3
the State of Alaska but the land is presently or soon will be partially
under State and partially under Native ownership. The area covered by th~
original lease to Placer Amex is still being honored by the new land
owners~
On Native lands, the, regional corporation has subsurface rights. ·rhe
village has surface rights within their local ownership area. In .this
case, the Tyonek Native Corporation has· surface rights and Cook Inlet
Region, Inc. {CIRI) has subsurface as well as sorne surface rights.
However, the Bureau of Land'· Management (BLM) has interim management
authority over Native lands between the time that the Natives select the
lands and the time the Natives receive interim conveyance. For that
reason persans working on Native land should seek approval and assistance
from CIRI, the Native corporation, the village corporation and 6LM.
C001panies wishing to mine coal on State-owned lands are required to obtain
a Coal Prospecting Pennit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
These pennits are issued only after approval of the company's plan of
operations, which describes the land to be prospected, the equipment to be
used, time frames for the operation, and other infonnation as required by
the Oepartment of Natural Resources. Coal mining leases may be issued i.f
coal in commercial quantitfes is discovered. A mining plan approved by
DNR is required before ccmmencement of operations. A State Land Lease
which provides for right~of-way and easements may be obtained after
approval of a development plan. Use of the tidelands requires a State
Tidelands Lease or Permit.
The Kenai Borough government has legal juri sdiction over the land where a..
town might be built in the Beluga Coal field. Their involvement would
include reviewing plans for subdivision, zontng, schools, and sol id waste
disposal. Roads, railroad, and communication lines may need approval fran
the Ma tanus ka-Sus itna Borough, as well as the Ken ai Borough, if they pass
through both of these.
3-4
'\
~
~
MINING OPERATION
Because of the way the coal occurs at Beluga, strip mining is the only
possible method for removal of much of the coal. The Federal government,
Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement, now has Strip
Mining Regulations which will set guidelines on how the operations will
proceed. (The DNR State Mining Manager should be contacted for State
g·u ide li nes.) An Envi ronmental Impact Statement or envi ronmental
assessment may be required as well as plans for provisions for canpliance
with State and Federal water and air quality re!gulations. Measures to
protect anadromous fish streams are mandatory and diversion or withdrawals
from all State waters requires a Water Use Permiit from DNR. Provisions
·for the use of ma teri al s su ch as timber or gravel from State lands shoul d
be included in the development plan submitted for· approval of the mining
pl an. Timber and other ma teri al s woul d have to be purchased from the
State through a material or timber sales contract. A Tidelands Permit
! . . .
would be required for activities on the tidelands and a Miscellaneous Land
Use Permit will be requi red for the use of explosives, waste dumps, and
other mi scellaneous uses. The Mining Safety and Heal th Administration
(MSHA) has regulations regarding safety of op1eration and equipment.
Provisions for reclamation are an impor·tant part of the application for .a
mining permit. Inspection and approval of a plan of reclamation at the
end of operations are required by the U.S. Department of the Interior, as
well as the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The site should be examined for archeological artHacts and any excavation
of this type on State lands will require a field archeology permit from
the Depar'bnent of Natural Resources. Results of an antiquities survey
will be a necessary subject of discussion in the •mvironmental assessment ·
or Environmental Impact Statement.
3-5
OVERLAND ROUTE
Overl and access for heavy construction equipment will be a necessary
prerequi si te for the commencement of operations. Equipment could be
barged to Granite Point, and driven from there to the mine site. Another
possibility would be a link with an extension of the Alaska Highway
System, or an extension of the AJaska Railroad System. Other small roads,
and rail transport systems will also be needed. A .direct overlatid route
to marine terminal facilities is the most likely fonn of transportation.
RequJrements for bath the railr:oad and highway are virtually the same. The
rail road will requi re approval from the Al asic:a Railroad System if it is an
extension of the present ra il road system. The road will need approval
from the Alaska Department of Transportation.
Both a railroad extension or a highway extension will require easements or
rights-of-way fran . the various land owners along the route. If a bridge
or an improper crossing utilizing culverts is required, the Corps of
Engineers, u.s. Coast Guard (USCG}, and the Alaska State Departments· of
Fish and Game and of Environmental Conservation should be contacted.
Gravel resource extraction will require a penTiit from the owners of the
land where the gravel is located. Labor and equipment safety standards by
MSHA must also be met during any construction phase.
Burning of certain ma teri al s or burning during the fi re season will
require pennits from the Department of Natural Resources as well as the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). If pesticides are applied
aerially a Department of Envirormental Conservation Pesticide pennit will
al so be requi red. Oil ing of roads on State land will require a Department
of Envi ronmental Conserva ti on Surface Oil i ng Permit. The Department of ·
Environmental Conservation's approval will also be required for ~he.
disposal of overburden or other spoil materials. Specifie plans and
methods · of· operation should be discussed with the Department of
Environmental Conse.rvation to detennine what requirements must be met.
3-6
•..
~
...;
PLANE LANDING STRIP
A landing a rea exi sts at Tyonek and an agreement may be negotiated wj th .
the village in order to use the strip. It has been proposed, however,
that a new landing area be built specifically for Beluga Coal Field
operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require a Notice of Intent.
to Establ i sh a Landing Stri p, and material sources (su ch as gravel) must
be obtained from owners of the material site. FAA also requires an
Airport Operation Certificate for airports serving CAB certified,
scheduled air carriers. A Special Land Use Pennit from the Department of
!
Natural Resources will be required if the land to be used for the strip is
not covered by the ma in lease. MSHA safety reqruirenents must al so be
foll owed.
PRESERVATION OF STREAMS
Preservation of the natural qual ity and li fe of streams is an important
consideration and has been broken out as a specifie activity for this
reason. All phases of development in or near natural water systens mus·t.
provide for ininimizing or alleviation of the potential effects of damage·
that mining operations as well as roads and rail r·oads coul d have on· the
stream and the flora therain. Effects of physical disturbance or dis-
charge of pollutants must be controlled or minimized as much as possible.
The devel opme nt plan and envi ronmental statemen1: shoul d address th.ese.
specifie concerns.
CONSTRUCTION CAMP
The basic construction camp will require facil itiE!S for housing, cooking
as well as a fresh water source and a temporary means for waste disposal.
Structures will need DEC and Department of Heal th and Social Services
(DHSS) approval while ~ter use and tiischarge must be in compliance wjth
DEC, DNR, and EPA regulations. A Food Service Pennit will be required
from DHSS for any food services offered and DEC must approve of any sol id
3-7
waste handl i ng and di sposal methods. Construction personnel should àlso
be aware of any particular requirements established by local authorit~es
for construction camp or its associated facilities.
The construction plans and specifications for all buildings, i.e., commer-
cial' industrial' business, institutional' and other public buildings or
residential buildings containing four or more dwelling units, must be ~ub
mi tted to the State Fire Marshall (Department of Public Safety) for
examination. and approval prior to starting construction.
DOCK
One reason that mining the Beluga Coal Field might be economically
feasible is because of its proximity to tidelands and marine transpor-
tation corridors. A corridor to transport the coal over State land to the
shoreline will be needed. (A Tidelands Permit of Lease will be necessary
and a Corps of Engineers permit will be required for all approaches over
tidelands as well as disposal of dredge spoils and for all structures in
navigable waters.
A dock to handle vesse1s carrying loads of up to 100,000 tons will be
required. The tidal conditions of Cook Inlet are such that there is a need
for a high pi er or causeway extendi ng out to a dock to form an on shore
storage and handling facility. The pier would have to be equipped with a
conveyor belt or somè other form of continuous loading system.
Fuel storage and general freight handl ing facilities would help to make
this a full service dock. If the facility handles fuel or any materials
classified as hazardous or inval ves ship ballast off-loading pipe~~~
storage tanks or cleaning facil ities, pennits and approvals from USCG and
DEC will be requ1 red.
A Spill Control and Counter Measure plan (SPCC) must also be written and
stamped by a professional engineer, in arder to meet with EPA regulations.
3-8
.• .l ...,
\J
;,,, l ·.._,..
~ GENERATING POWER PLANT
A generating power plant may be required to operate the mine and coal
treatment plant. U.S. Oepartment of Energy Construction Orders concern.ing
coal as a fuel source and Envi ronmental Protection Agency air qual ity
standards will have to be considered carefully pirior to any operation.
Oischarge of cooling water from any power plant will also require a permit
from EPA .and any storage of fuel on the premi ses will requi re a permit
fran EPA as well as a SPCC stamped by a professional engineer in order to
rneet with SPCC regulations.
POWERLINES
Overland powerlines will require easements from v;arious landowners. The
FAA requi res notice of proposed powerl ines routed anywhere near ai rports.
A permit will also be required by the Corps of Engineers for overhead
powerl ines which cross any navigable waters. It would al so be advisable
to contact the Alaska Power Authority prior to1 establishment of any
powerlines.
KENAI PENINSULA 'BOROUGH
The Kena i Pen insu la Borough constitutes the only local government in the
proj ect a rea.
Borough (KPB)
As a borough of the second class, the Kenai Peninsula
is charged with providing educ.ation planning and tax
assessment in the area. In addition the borough has taken over responsi-
bilities for provision and management of public sol'id waste disposal sites
borough-wide.
Under its planning authority, the Borough was char9ed with land use plan-
ning, zoning and platting. No borough land-use plan now exists for the
a reas su rroundi ng Tyonek. The project areas are rural which allows any
use except sorne specifie activities that are noxious or harmful to publ.ic
health. Subdivisions of private land must be approved by the Borough but
the subdivision ordinance · has few requirements for subdivision
improvements in rural areas~
3-9
The Borough al so owns land wh ich conta ins onê portion Of Congahbùna Lake
and part of the proposed site for a permanent commur'lity. As süêh the br} ..
rough would have some abi11 ty to condition the nature of oammünity
development through land leasing agreements.
Al though proposed land management sys ten ordi nantês requîre KPB Asséïilbly
Review, the Borough has. not yet devel oped pol ici es regarding ieasé of btt ..
rough land for indus trial or communi ty dêvei opment. The BoroUgh woul d
consîder the .implications of the· project aftêr rècéipt of' a Land Use App•
1 ication .
. Two borough service areas encompass the project sites: thé North Penin•
sula Recreation Area and the Central Hospital Service Atea. Neithér" of
the se service a reas provides facili ti es·· în iyonek or thë Bê1 uga aréa
al though the North Kenai Recreation A rea is cons ide ring exteflding sorne
fonn of outdoor recreation programs to Tyonek. The Kênai Peninsula
Borough is ini'tiating a study of coasta1 zorte itlànagement po1 iêy and a
study of port ·and harbor needs in relation to èrtêrgy faeî1îty dêvèioplilénti
The Coastal Zone Management Policy study will resu1t in a doètimëttt <!on ..
taining the recommandations of consultants for a set of polièiês for the
management of coastal resources. This document, dêsigned for êxtènsivê
public review, will be used by KPB as a blisis for their own toastai
management program. The question of coal developrœrtt at Beiugà will not
be specifically considered and energy facility sfting wi11 t>e inàludêd.
only in a general discussion of pol ici es.
The Port and Har•bors Study will focus on the harbtlr resources and fàcility
needs related to energy devel opment in the KPB. As such, it wil1 tônsider.
the possibil i ty of development at Beluga. but will recamnénd pôl ici·es only
in relation to the locaUon ànd provision of port fadlitîes ..
The KPB is a participant in the Cook Inlet Air RésOIIJttes Mànàgèffie:ni:
District, a three-borough organization rêsponsiblê t'or air qùaHty ·
monitoring and enforcement in coocperation with the Depa.rtmë·rrt· of Errvirôn•
mental Conse·rvation {DEC). OEC reta.ins the· author1ty to· S·ét Ur emmis•.
s ions standard~.
3-10
1· ~ '
~
g--------------~-------c----
In summary, the Kenai Peninsula Borough is unlikely to begin to develop a
'JOlicy toward development at Beluga until industry approaches the Bôrough
with a land lease or subdivision application. It should be noted that
building permits are not required in the unincorpor·ated areas of the Kenai
Peninsula Borough. However, all commercial businesses, including rental
housing will be subje.ct to a borough sales tax and a sales tax permit must
be obtained on each individual enterprise. Furthermore, a Coastal Zone
Management plan for the Cook In let i s presently in the works and expected
to be canpleted and in effect by 1981. Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
Permit and Planning Requiremen:t;s will be required,J although the nature of
such requirenents cannat be ascertained at this poiint and time.
MANTANUSKA SUSITNA BOROUGH
Begi nning in 1977, the Ma tanus ka Sus itna Borough establ i shed two programs:
the s ix-year capital improvement program and the tem-year land acquisition
prog ram. The purpose behind the se prog rams was the establishment of
facil ities which would help crea te centers of canmunity li fe in conjunc-
tion wi th the regi anal devel opment concept. It is antici pated that by
acquiring sites within a ten-year period the Borough will be able to
central ize school and canmunity facil ities.
Matanuska Susitna Borough is in the process of deVE!loping the four follow-
ing innovations:
1. The creation of di strict devel opment plans which have legal
status as a deviee for the regulation of land use communi ty
facil i ti es and transportation systems.
2. The formation of district councils which will give communities
wi thin a di strict a grea ter voice in long range planning for the
area in which they are living as well as a role in the level of
services to be del ivered by the government entity for that
particular district.
3. · The development and use of land development regulations which ·
will insu re a coordinated and homo:genous devel opment of
. activities permitted under district development plans. Thesè
regulations would specifically address problems in the borough
su ch as strip canmerc ial devel opment, access to highways,
parking and s ign regulation, envi ronmental protection and
buffering of incompatable land uses.
3-11
4. Development of a ten year site acquisition :program fo:r schoqls,
parks and community facilities which will estabHsh centralized
places where a sense of communfty can be created to off-set the
costly disadvantages of spraw1 which is rapidly occurring
throughout other sections of the Borough.
3-12
c \ '..J
,__;
··-.J.
REFERENCES
Ma tanus ka-Sus i tna Borough.
September, 1978.
Comprehensive Planning Program Direction$,
Paulick, Karen. Beluga Coal Development--Pennits Senario. State of Alaska
Division of Economie Enterprise~ August, 1978.
State of Alaska Department of Canmerce and Econanic Development and
Department of Environmental Conservation. Directory of Permits,
March 1978.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Handout.
3-13
----------------------------------------------------------~----t
PERMIT TO DRILL OR DEEPEN
DESCRIPTION
APPENOIX 3-A
SELECTEO STATE PERMIT$
Anyone planning to drill or deepen any well for oil or gas or for strati-
graphie information on lands or waters of the State of Alaska must obtain
a pennit from the Division of Oil and Gas Conservation, Departnent of
Natural Resources (DNR). Also, any wells drilled for other purposes may
be subject to a permit if the Oil and Gas Conservation Committee finds
there is sufficient likelihood of an unexpected encounter of oil, gas or
other hazardous substances in any specifie area of the State.
The statutory res pons ibil i ty of the Division is to regula te oil and gas
drill ing and producing operations to prevent the waste of oil and gas and
to protect the correlative rights of lease and royalty owners. Regulation
of drilling activities is controlled by the issuance of the permit to
drill or deepen. The i ssuance of a permit and subsequent aci ti vi ty on
that well are subject to either statewide regulations or special
conservation orders which govern location, drilling procedures,
abandonment or production practices. AdminiStration and enforcement of
these rules and regulations require many approvals by the Division
personnel, both verbal and in writing. However, no additi'onal permits are
required by this division.
REQU IREMENTS
An application for a drilling permit must be filed on form 10-401, "Permit,
to Drill or Deepen,11 together with an application fee of $100.00. Also
accompanying the application must be a survey plat showing the precise
location of the operation. The appl ica ti on shall incl ude or have attached
the following information:
1. The proposed bottomhole location.
3-14
~
~.
?
2. The proposed ,casing program incl udi ng the size, weight, grade,
and depth at which each string iS to be St!t.
3. The minimum amount of canent to be used for each casing string.
4. The blowout prevention program to be empl1lyed.
5. . Any other proposed program infonnation as required by the
committee •
. In addi.tion to the above, the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission may
require a directional survey, samples of drill cutt"ing, core chips and mud
logs on the we11. Prior to the issu ance of any drill ing permit, the
opera tor of a we 11 i s requ i red to pro vi de a bond to the 0 i 1 and .Gas
Conservation Canmi ssion of not less than $50,000.00 for each ons ho re well
near roadways and $100,000.00 for e.ach offshore or remote location well.
The purpose of the bond is' to assure that funds a1re available for safely
plugging the well and for the repair of wells caus1ng waste or pollution.
Public notices and/or hearings are not required prior to the issuance of a
drill ing penni t unl ess exceptions to spacing regulations are requested and
there are affected parties involved. Other exceptions are for downhole
commingling, classification of fields and pools, and implementation .. of
field and pool regulations, or applications for additional recovery .. If
there are objections to the proposed activities or the Canmission feels it
is necessary, a public hearing will be held as provided by 11 AAC 22.540.
Following the hearing or a ten day period without objections, t~e
Commission may take final action on the application ..
A drill ing penni t is valid for 24 months.
Final processing and issuance of a drilling pennit is made only after the
plan of operations is approved by the Division of Minerals and Energy
Management (DMEM). DMEM coordinates approval s fran the Oepartment of Fi sh
and Game, the Department of Envi ronmental Conservat·ion and the Di vi sion of
Oil and Gas Conservation prior to approving th1e plan of operations.
3-15
-\
An operator may be required to obtain pennits frOOl other agencies for .the
preparation of a site and the placement of a rig before drill ing
canmences. Graval and land use penni ts must be approved by DMEM and the
Division of Land and Water Management. Often pennits for work in navi-
gable water must be obtained fran the U.S. Department .of the Anny, Corps
·of Engineers. Pennits to di scharge wastewater and dispose of ma teri al s
must be obtained fran the U .S. Envrionmental Protection Agency and. the
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The Alaska Department of
Fish and Game must approve work in designated anadromous fish streams.
AUTHORITY
AS 31.05.010.
AS 31.05.020.
AS 31.05.030.
AS 31 .05.040.
AS 31.05.050.
AS 31.05.060.
AS 31.05.090.
AS 31.05. lOO.
AS 31.05.110.
Application.
Waste Prohibited.
Powers and Duties of the Department.
Ru1es and Regulations of the Pepartment.
Notice. ·
Action by Department. 1
Permits and Fees to Drill Wells.
Establishment of Drilling Units for Pools.
Unitiza ti on and Unitized Operations Approval s
tion of Interest by Agreement~
11 AAC 22.005-570. Division of 011 and Gas Conservation.
CONTACT
Oil and Gas Conservation Canmittee
Division of Oil and·Gas Conservation
Department of Natural Resources
3001 Porcupine Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
UPLAND LOCATABLE MINERAL RIGHTS
DESCRIPTION
Telephone: 279-1433
and Integra-
To obtain the rjghts to locatable minerals Qn State uplands one must·
stake a prospectin.g site or mining claim and file a 11 1ocation ·notice"
3-16
with the District Recorders Office in the area in which the site or claim
is located and with the Division of Minerals and Energy Management (DMEM)~
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
REQUIREMENTS
Location Notice fonns may be ob ta ined from a stationery store. The appl i-
cant must include (1) the name of the cla'kn, (2) the date of discovery and
the da te of posting the notice, and (3) a sketch map of the cl a im which
identifies the location of the claim clearly. The claimant should check
the status of the area he wishes to stake to be :sure that it is open to
staking. Status plats and other information are maintained at the pub1 ic
infonnation office of the Southcentral District Office of the Division of
Land and Water Management, 3327 Fairbanks Street in Anchorage for use in
making this determination. Copies of the mining laws and regulations and
other mining information may be obtained from this office.
No filing fee is required by DMEM at this time.
The mineral rights become effective when a location notice of the claim is
filed and remain in affect for at least a twel ve··month period, expiring
September first. By fil ing a statement of annual l abor by September
first, the mineral rights may be extended an additional year. If the
statement of annual labor is not filed, the claimant forfaits his rights
and may not reestabl ish the claim for at least one year.
Prior to commencement of operations, the claimant must obtain a Miscel-
laneous Land Use Permit from the DMEM.
AUTHORITY
AS 38.05.020. Authority and Duties of the Commissioner.
AS 38.05.195. Mining Claims.
AS 38.05.245. Prospecting Sites.
11 AAC 82. Mineral Leasing Pr-ocedure.
11 AAC 86. Mining Rights.
11 AAC 88. Practice, and Procedure.
3-17
CONTACTS
Division of Mineral and Energy Management
Department of Natural Resources
323 E. Fourth Avenue
Anchorage, Al as ka 99501 Telephone: 274-8542
'
District Offices:
Southeastern District Office
Division of Lands
Pouch M
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Southcentral District Office
Division of Lands
3327 Fairbanks Street
Anchorage, Alaska. 99503
Northcentral District Office
Division of Lands
4420 Ai rport Way
Fai rbanl<s, Alaska 99701
Telephone: 465-2415
Telephone: 279-7696
Telephone: 479-2243
OFFSHORE LOCATABLE MINERAL PROSPECTING PERMIT AND COAL PROSPECTING PERMIT
DESCRIPTION
A prospecting penni t is required for persans proposing to prospect for
coal and/or offshore locatable minerals on State land. Pennits are issued
by the Division of Mineral and Energy Management (DMEM), the Department of
Natural Resources.
REQU IREMENTS
Application must be submi tted on fonns provided by DMEM and must incl ude
the legal description of the· area where the prospecttng will be done.
~ ! ,
Fonn DL-174 i s used wh en appl yi ng for Off.shore Locatable Mineral Pros pee t-
ing Penni ts; Fonn DL-70 is used when applying for Co al Prospecting
Pennits. The applicant should check th.e status of the land prior to
f11ing the application to be sure of its availability. Status plats and
other information are m~intained at the public information office of the.
3-18
~
Southcentral District Office of the Division of Land and Water Management,
3327 Fairbanks Street in Anchorage for use in making this detennination.
Copies of the coal and mining rights law may be obtained from the same
office.
A $20.00 filing fee is required for each application. Public notice and
public hearings are not required.
Prior to canmencenent of operations the applicant must file a plan of
operations wi.th and receive the approval of DMEM.
The Offshore Locatable Mineral Prospecting Pennit is issued for a single
ten-year period; it is not renewable. If minerals or coal are discoverèd;
the pennit may be converted to a lease issued for an indetenninant period.
To obtain the lease, the applicant must file a $20.00 fee and geologie
evidence with DMEM. A lease fonn subsequently provided by DMEM also must
be canpleted. Fonn DL-94 is used for mineral leases; Fonn DL-71 is used
for coal ll':~ases. Coal Prospecting Penni ts are issued for a two-yéar
period and may be renewed once for an additional t~l years.
AUTHORITY
AS 38.05.020. Authority and Outies of the Canmissioner.
AS 38.05.145. Leasing Procedure.
11 AAC 82. Mineral Leasing Procedure.
11 AAC 84. Other Leasable Minerals.
11 AAC 86. Mining Rights.
11 AAC 88. Practice and Procedure.
CONTACT
Mineral Leasing Section
Division of Minerals and Energy Management
Oepartment of Natural Resources
323 East Fourth Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Telephone: 274-3542
3-19
SOLID WAStE DISPOSAL PERMIT
DESCRIPTION
No persan may estab1ish, modHy or operate a so1id waste disposa1 facility
in' the State of Alaska without a So11d Wasté Oisposal Permit rrân the
Department of Envi romiental Conserva ti on (OEC), èXéept for the f'ollowi ng:
1. A single-faiTiily or duplex residertce Which gerterates so1 id
waste and disposes of' it on premhes.
1
2. A fann on wh ich solid waste generated from the opération ôf
that fa nn i s di sposed.
3. lncinerator facilities having a total rated câpacity ôf
l~ss than 200 poonds of sol id waste per nour.
'Defi.nitions pertainirtg to this pertni t inc:lt.tde:
1. 11 Sol1d Waste Dhposal rac il ity'i ITieans . an inténrte·r,Hat~
dhposal facility, transfer .statiôn,. lartdfi1l, if'ftiM~rator·f
canposting plants recyc1ing or reclamation facfl Hy ilr any
site utflized for the reductHm; ëontô1idat1on, ~énve·rs.1on,
processi~ng or disposal of sol id wa:ste.
2. ..Solid Waste'' mèar'ls all unwanted sr dhtarded sE1lid ôr
semi-solid material whether putrescible or, nonputre·s~:ible,
originating from any source, irttluding but Not limitetf t<t
garbage, paper. wo·od,. mëta1~ ·' gla§s;. pl asti~, N.tl'i~êr, ëlâth',
ashes, litter and stre·et sweepingsJ dèWatefed sewage
sludge, dead aniiTials, offal, :}u:nke'd ~éftielês affd èq'ûipment,
mate rial and debris resùl ting from .. · ~l.#nstroctiê'fli ·. or
demoli ti on projects • aba:ndoned and dècaying struc.tflres;
hazardôus wastes, mi rte .· waste·$; . gr·avel .. f)'it àni!f quàrry
spofls; and o·verbûrden ~XC·è:J)t thàt· ori;gin;a:ttng frEJ~ tt'te
construction of single buildings.
REQUIREMENTS
An applicant iS required· to sttbmit two com\p'Je:fêd ••soHd· Wâstè
'.0hposa1-Sdlid Waste Management Permit" ap:p,HèaMorr fotfifs: €nô f(i)rnl n~m~er
'available) showing:
T. Oetailed plans and specifications fc>r the facfHty.
3-20
~
~~
'·.· .. J'' ....,
2. Certification of compliance with local ordinances and
zoning requirements.
3. A report detail ing the proposed method of operation,
population and area to be served, the characteristics,
quantity and source of material to be p1rocessed, the use·
and di stri but ion of processed ma teri al s, method of res idue
disposal, emergency operating procedures, the type and
amount of equipment to be provided, and the proposed
ulti~ate land use.
No application fee is required.
Appl ica ti ons shoul d be submi tted at least 60 days prior to the commence-
ment of operations. Upon the receipt of an appl ica ti on DEC will publ ish a
public notice in two consecutive editions of a ne.-tspaper in the area of
the proposed activities. Public comments are accepted up to 30 days
following the final notice. Public hearings are not mandatory unless
dictated by public comment. At the end of the 30-day public notice
period, DEC may act on the application. Sol id_ Waste~ appl ica ti ons are sent
to the A 1 as ka Departments of Fi sh and Game, He a 1 tlh and Soc i a 1 Services,
Commerce and Econcmic Development and Natural ResoliJrces for their review
and comment.
Penni t renewal i s only on request by the penni ttee and must be submitted
30 days prior to the penni t's expiration. The appll ication procedures for
permit renewal are the. same as those required for the initial application,.
except that public notice is not required.
Sol id Waste Pennits may be issued for a period not to exceed 5 years.
Pe nni ts may not be trans fer red wi th out wri tten consEmt of DEC.
AUTHORITY
AS 46.03.020. Powers of the Department.
AS 46.03.100. Waste Disposal Permit.
18 AAC 15. Administrative Procedures.
18 AAC 60. Solid Waste Management.
3-21
CONTACTS
Permit Coordinator
Department of Natural Conservation
Pouch 0
Juneau, Alaska 99811 Telephone: 465-2670
Regional Offices:
Regional Environmental Superviser
Southeast Regional Office
Department of Environmental Conservation
Pouch OA
Juneau, Alaska 99811 Telephone: 364-2148
Regional Envtronmental Superviser
Southcentral Regional Office
Department of Environmental Conservation
MacKay Building, 12th Floor
338 Oenali Street
Anchorage • Alaska 99501 Telephone: 274-5527
Regional Environmental Superviser
Northern Regional Office
Oepartment of Environmental Conservation
P. o. Box 1601
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 . Telephone: 452 .. 1714
Regional Environmental Supervhot
Prince William Sound Regional Office
Department of Environmental Conservation
Pouch E
Valdez, Alaska 99686 Telephone: 8354698
TIDELANDS PERMIT
DESCRIPTION
Persons proposing to utilize State-owned tidelands and ~ubmerged lands for
any temporary, short tenn use must first obtain a Tidelarids Permit frbtfi
the Director, Division of Land and Water Managemént, Dêpartinênt of Natural
Resources.
3-22
v
t J ~
,,.,--,
~
v
Definitions pertaining to this permit are:
11 Tidelands" means those lands which are period'ically covered by
tidal waters between the elevation of mean hiigh and mean 1 ow
tides.
11 Submerged lands 11 means those lands covered by tidal waters
between the 1 ine of mean 1 ow water and seaward to a di stance of
three geographical mil es or as may hereafter be properly cl aimed
by the State.
REQUIREMENTS
Applications are to be f1led with the Division of Land and Water Manage-
ment on Form 10-107 and must incl ude information on the purpose of the
proposed project, the method of construction, and the da tes of the
construction period. A preliminary plat and a non-refundable $20.00
filing fee must accompany the application.
Before the application is approved, the director must advise each of the
abutting upl and property 0\\lners of the project by regi ste red ma il and
allow them 20 days from receipt of the notice for· comments. Al so,' the
depar'b'nent must receive from the appl icant a letter of non-objection to
the proposed use of the tidelands or submerged lands from the Commissioner
of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Public: notices and hearings
are not required. Final action is taken by the Director within 60 days of
receipt of the application.
The permit does not grant the right to remove materials from the tidelands,
or submerged lands; nor does it grant the right to prospect for or extract
minerals from tidelands or submerged lands. Each permit is issued for a
duration determined by the Director but not t10 exceed five years.
Renewal s must be applied for in writing between 301 and 60 days prior to
expiration of the original permit. An application for renewal must
conta1n certification as to the character and value of all improvements
existing on the land and reasons for a renewal.
3-23
Pr.oj~cts conducted on ti del ~nds qO@ s.~bme,rg~~ 1~1l9§ !'@~ ~1 §9 r~guir~ ~ ~
permit issue,d ~Y the u.s. D~p,arPl!ert of ~~'J Mm~~ Çqr-B~ pf ~nginfl!er~~
AUTHORITY
AS 38.05.035. Powers and Duties Qf the Directqr.
AS, 3B.05.330.. Permits, ··· · · · · · ·
1l ÀAC62~11()~~oo~· tiqe ~n~l§ygrnf3.r9,f3.~ ~iin~s~
CQNTACTS
Director
Divis ion of La,nd and Wa ter Man~gement
Department, of ~atural Resources
3~3 ;. Fq~r~h ~venu.~
A~chor~ge, A1~sk~ 99501 Telf!phqn~: 27~~§?71
District Offtçes: -,. 't "',.. ' •• ~--" .. ~ ' ., ' '·" '-. .
Southeastern Ois~rict Office
Divi~ipn ·of Lf!nd · Po4çf.l M . . ..
Juneal,l, Ala~k~ 99811
Squthc~nt,r~l District Office
Division of kands ·
3327 Fà 1 rbanks Street Anëhor~ge~· Ai~sk~· ~~5o~
Ntlrttt.çentra,l Dis1:rict Office bivisîon q'f ki,n~s · · ···
4420 Ai r:-port ·W·iilY.
Fa. irbanh, Alas~a 99701 . ~ . . .. ·'· ' . -. ··' ·~· . ,, -. ·~·
DEVELOPMENT WORK ON COAL DEPOSITS . . -
DESCRIPTiON
iE!1f3ph911f!Z 46~e~~l5
Tel. e. ph~:me: 219~7697 n' • ;,. o,." ""'' · .. ; •
Tel ~Ph9!1€1; 4?~~~?4~
No persan may inithtlil cleveloRm~nt w~rk on co~l c:fepq~it§ l~€a,te~ (ln ~~ate
hnds without ~he advance apprqval of the plat:~ qf Qpef'~tiO,~~ ~Y ~~@ ~ta,~~
Geologist of the Divisit>n of Geo1ogici4l ~!Jf<Vtil:YS~ Oep~ftmen~ of N~t4F>~l
Re sources (DNR).
3-24
~·.
~
REQU IREMENTS
A letter of application must include a preliminary pllan of operation. The
plan shall consist of a map with a scale of 1 inch to 400 feet and such
other maps that are necessary to show cl earl y the intent of the lessee as
to future mining, ventilating, and development of the mine. No
application fee is required. No public notice Ol" public hearings are
require~.
The permit is issued for a duration prescribed by the geologist.
A coal mining pennit and/or lease may be requirE~d by the Division of
Mineral and Energy Management, DNR.
AUTHORITY
AS 27.20.005. Purposes.
AS 27 .20.010~ Ru les and Regulations.
~, 11 AAC 46.010. Advance Approval.
CONTACT
State Geol ogi st
Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys
Department of Na tura 1 Re sources
3001 Porcupine Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99504 Telephone: 279-1437
3-25
3~0N31 ON\tl
v lf3ldVHJ
INTRODUCTION,
CHAPTER 4
LAND TENURE
In arder to predict the di rection that future devel opment in the Beluga
Coal District may take and what the land-related barriers to that develop-
ment may be, it is necessary to look at the area•s land status, .land
tenure, and restrictions on land use. To do this, it is essential to
identify who holds the real property and mineral rights. This includes
the ownership of the surface and subsurface as well as who control s other
lesser rights and interests in the land such as coal prospecting permits,
ail and gas leases, coal leases, and easements. The land use control s,
classifications, and zoning restrictions imposed by government agencies
are also central to an understanding of the land situation in the Béluga
Goal District.
Normally, land status and land tenure are.displayed graphically by the use
of maps~ Figure 2-1 shows the land status, surface estate, as of
September 1978. However, the enactment of the Alaska Native Glaims
Set tl ement Act has caused a very compl ex land tenure situation to exi st in
Alaska, particularly in the Beluga Goal District, and this map al one does
not tell the whole story.
This chapter will attempt to clarify the major land tenure issues in the
Beluga Goal District. Di scussed are the major land holdings and the
characteristics of different classes of holdings by the State, the Kenai
Peninsula and Ma tanus ka-Susi tna Boroughs, the Nat ive and non-Na·t ive
private land owners. Because transportation is so important to energy
re source devel opment, the types of exi sti ng routes and proposed routes and
sites that would be available have been addressed in detail. Several
recommendations follow. The recommendations are neither exhaustive nor
comprehensive, but result from obvious conclusions reached by the
researchers, especially where inherent characteristics in various la.nd
ownersh i ps anq i nteres ts defi ned the prob 1 em and led to fa i rl y
s tra igh tforwa rd recommendat 1 qns.
The Central Beluga Coal District surrounds the Athabascan Indian Village
of Tyonek and the fonner Moquawkie Indian Reserve and 1 ies genera11y
between the Beluga River on the east, the Chakachatna River on the west;
Beluga Lake on the north and Cook In1et on the south (see legal
description on page 7-2).
The three words that best describe the land ownership situation in t~e
Beluga Co al District are ",vol at ile," "exchange," and "1 itigation .11
"Volatile" because change is so explosive in land ownership patterns that
State, Native and Borough land ownership is likely to shift quickly and
unpredictably. "Exchange" because the area is so heavily affected by two
pending Native land exchanges. "Litigation" because the State, Natives and
the two Boroughs are all involved in lawsuits affecting land rights in tbe
a rea.
The major landowner trading "out" of the area is the State of Alaska.
Native Corporations are trading "in" to the area. Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
is in the process of acquiring a large block (311,040 acres) of coal-rich
lands fran the State, and the Tyonek Native Corporation, in addition to
selecting land set aside for it under ANCSA, has the option of acquiring
in trade with the State, one township (23,040 acres) of land near thei.r
village for land they selected fran the Kenai National Moose Range acrQss
Cook Inlet. Both the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula
Borough have sel ected land in the a rea as part of thei r ten percent
municipal land enti tlement to State lands within their boundary, an issue
that is presently before the Courts in Alaska.
The foll owi ng chapter is i ntended to gi ve a rough overvi ew of 1 and tenure
in regard to the Beluga coal fields. This chapter was written using June,
1978 as a base year. But, considering the state of flux, any further
pursuit of infonnation on land tenure should appropriately be addressed to
the Alaska Division of Lands.
4-2
:...)
!' :., ~
·~
1,,
MAJOR LAND HOLDINGS
STATE LANDS
With the important exception of the former Moquawkie Indian Reserve,
·almost the entire area of the Beluga Coal District is patented State .land
wi:th less .than one township State Tentatively Approved land. Much of the
State Patented and Tentatively Approved land is Mental Health Land. Other
signif'icant s'tate land holdings in the area are the tidelands along the
coast1 ine and the submerged hnds of the navigable tidal waters of Upper
Cook Inlet. The bed of Upper: Cook Inl et, generally defined as north of
K,~lgin Is.land, îs predominately State land. The beds of the navigable
, .lakes .and streams, such as Beluga Lake and River, are also State lands .
. Dur.ing the 1950's, shortly before Statehood, Federal lands in the Beluga
·. Ar~a were transferred to Alaska under the authority of three Congressional ·
Acts: The 1953 Submerged Lands Aet, the 1956 Men ta 1 He a lth En ab 1 i ng Act
and· the 1958 Alaska Statehood Act. Table 4-1 gives and overview of St~te
· ·· land ent:itlements, th~ir authority and acreages, and Table 4-2 the State
Land<Sta.tus in the B·eluga Coal District.
Cotigréss approved Public Law .31, Chapter 65, the Submerged Lands Act, in
1953. Thi.s law confinned and establ ished the titles to lands bene.ath
navigable .water within state boundaries and to the natural resources
· withîn such lands and water to the states. It al so provided for the. use
'and c.ontrol of waterway bot toms and resources and confinned the juri s-
dict ion and .control .of the U. S. over the natural resources of the sea bed
·of the Çpntinental Shelf seaward of State boundaries. This Act did not
substantiany affect Alaska's land holdings until Statehood early in 1959.
In 1956, the Mental Health Enabling Act, Public Law 830, titled "Grants to
Alaska for Mental Health", authorized the territory of Alaska to select
one .million acres of land for the purpose of· improving mental health
conditions in Al as ka. The potential revenue obtained from the devel opment
4-3
TABLE 4-1
ALASKA LAND ACQUISITION
CATEGOR'[ ACREAGE AUTHORITY IN REMARKS -----~---"----'------"-~ 1958 STATEHOOD ACT
Community development
& expansion
{U.S. forest lands) 400,000 Sec. 6{a) Grant
Community development
& expansion
(other public lands) 400,000 Sec. 6{a) Grant
General land grant 102,550,000 Sec. 6(b) Grant
School (1915 Act}
(Sec. 16 & 36 of
Surveyed townships) ? Sec. 6(k) Reconfirmed
University (1929 Act)
(Sec. 33 of Tanana
Valley townships) ? Sec. 6(k) Reconfirmed
University (1929 Act) 100,000 Sec. 6(k) Reconfirmed ':
1
Mental Health (1956 Act) 1,000,000 Sec. 6(k) Rëcorlfirmed
Submerged Lands (1953Act)
(Tîdelands, submerged
lands & shorelands) ? Sec. 6 (rn) , Reconfi rmed
Miscellaneous Lands ?
~
4-4
TABLE 4-2 ........
STATE LA~O STATUS
Beluga Coal District
T.11N.-T.l5N. and R.9W.-R.l4N.,S.M.
U.S. TO ST·ATE OF ALASKA ~A'ttNT NUMBER TYPE LEGAL DESCRu::IlQ!I_ DATE OF PATENT
50-66-0318 GS 401 T .13N., R.9W.
50·66-0314 MH 57 T.l3N., R.lOW.
50-66-0214 GS 402 T.13N., R.lOW.
50-66·0318 GS 401 T.l3N., R.9W.
50-66-0314 MH 57 T.l3N., R.lOW.
50·66-0314 GS 402 T.l3N., R. lOW
50-66-0315 MH-61 CRA T.13N.,R.llW.
50-66-0289 MH-61 CRA T.l3N., R.llW.
50·66-0322 CRA MH 63 T.13N., R.l2W.
50-67-0234 CRA MH 58 T. 12N. , R. 12W.
TA GS 396 T. 12N., R. l Hl.
TA MH-70 T.12N., R.llW.
so..:6.6-0212 GS 215 T. l SN. , R. 9W.
50·66-0144 GS 412 T.14N., R.l4W.
50-66-0376 CRA Ml-4 69 1'. 14N. , R. 13W.
50•66·0133 GS 411 1'.14N., R.13W.
50 .. 66-0142 GS 403 T .l3N., R.14W.
50-66-0375 CRA MH 65 T. 13N. , R. 1 3W.
so-6i-o212 MH 59 CRA T.l2N., R.13W.
50-67-0203 GS 397 T. 12N. , R. 14W.
50-66-0134 GS 1217 T .lSN., R. 14W.
50·66-0013 GS 416 T.lSN., R.l3W.
55-6.6-0336 GS 414 T.lSN., R.12W.
50-66-0332 GS 284 T.l5N., R.llW.
50-66-0310 GS 235 T.lSN., R.lOW.
50-66-0317 GS 396
(3 Mile Creek)
T .12N., R.lOW.
50-66-0293 GS 407 T .14N., R. lOW.
50·66-0346 GS 409 T. 14N. , R. 1 i W.
50-66-0316 MH 67 CRA T. 14N. , R. 12W.
50-66-0319 GS 103 T.l4N., R.9W.
TA -Tentativel{ Approved
GS -General Se ection
MH • Mental Health
CRA -subject tp Civil Rights Act. Fon a period of time all federal patents were
granted s~bject to the Civil Rig~ts Act, but no longer are.
~
4-5
of the Mental Health Lands was to be an economie base on which to meet the 'W
needs of the Mental Health Program. Alaska had ten years from 1956 in
which to select the lands under this entitlement. Table 4-3 lists the
general locations of Mental Health Lands in the Beluga Coal Distr_ict.
The third Federal law was the Alaska Statehood Act of 1958 which enabled
the newly·formed State to select 103.5 million acres of Federal lands ' ,.
throughout Alaska. The type of lands the new State was authorized to
select under the Statehood Act were General Grant Lands from the huge
public domain, Canmunity Grant Lands from the National Forests and other
public lands near existing communities and in addition confirmed pre-
viously granted lands to the territory as State lands, including School,
University and Mental Health Lands and various miscellaneous parcels.
Submerged lands and the beds of navigable waters were al so granted at
Statehood pursuant to the Submerged Lands Act. In the Beluga District,
although much of the uplands were selected under the general grant land
authority, the heart of the district was acquired under the Mental Health
Enab11ng Act. The State was allowed 25 years to select General Grant
Lands, a period which expires in 1984.
Tentatively Approved Lands
After the State Division of Lands identified and selected lands they
wanted (called State Selections), the Federal Bureau of Land Management
detennined the correctness and appropri ateness of the requested sel ac-
tions. "Tentative Approval" (T.A.) followed. Under Tentative Approval,
the jurisdiction of the lands for administrative purposes was transferred ·
to the State. Tentative approval is not similar to Interim Conveyarice
· {I .C.) for Native selected lands, in that Interim Conveyance actually.
passes legal ti tle to thé Native Corporations, whereas Tentative Approval
grants equitable title. Equitable title means that a right to the land
exists, but is short of full title (equitable title is similar to "color
of ti tl en).
4~6
Legal Description
T.12N.:. R.JlW., S.M. Tract A
-·""Sec~s. 6, 5, 4, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10,
18, 17, 16, 15, 22s 21 s 20, 19,
29, 28, 27,
T.12N., R.l2W., S.M. Tract A
Sec. 1-24, 27..;34
T.12Nq R.l3W., S.M. Sec 1-36
-~=o T. 13N. , R. 1 OW. , S • M •
~ Sec's. 4-9, 16..;21, 28-33
T.13N., R.11W., S.M. Tract A
US$ 3964 #1 & 2
. :r .. l3N., R.12W .. , S.M. Sec. 1-36
T.l3N., R.13W.~ S.M. Sec. 1-36
T.14N., R.12W., R.M. Sec. 1-36
T.14N., R.13W., S.M. Tract A
Sec. 1-3
10-12
13-15
22+24
25-27
34-36
TABLE-4-3
MENTAL HEALTH LANDS
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
Ac rea ge
9,885. 71
19,192.31
20,040
11 ,488. 32
22,849.08
159.24
23,040
23,040
22,939.96
11,520
TOTAL 167,154.62 Acres
Source: ·state of Alaska Status Plats.
U.S. Patent No.
(No Patent-
Tentatively Approved)
50-67-0234 CRA
50-67-0212 CRA
50-66-0314 CRA
50-66-0315
50-67-028,9
50-66-0322 CRA
50-66-0375 CRA
50-66-0316 CRA
50-66-0376 CRA
Mental Health No.
MH-58
MH-59
MH-57
MH-61
MH-61
MH-63
MH-65
MH-67
MH-69
State Selected and State Tentatively Approved lands were available for
selections fran 1 ands surrounding the v ill ages by Native V ill age Corpura-
tions under ANCSA, (but not to Regional Corporations, except the regions
receive the subsurface es tate of a11 V ill age lands). Si nee most of the
State lands in the Beluga Di strict are State patented lands; onl y a small
amount of State land was a va il able for selection by the Natives. Lands
north of the Moquawkie Indian Reserve in T.12N., R.llW. have been selected.
by the Tyonek Native Corporation because they contain sorne Tentatively
Approved State land, sorne of wh ich is Mental Heal th land. If the
selection is approved by the Bureau of Land Management, and the issue is
in court, the surface estate will be conveyed to the Tyonek Native Corpor-
ation and the subsurface estate will be conveyed to Cook Inlet Region.
Patented Lands
In order for the Tentatively Approved lands to become patented, the
Federal government was required to survey the lands. The patent is a
title document, similar to a deed, which conveys the first title of
' government land to others. Within the patents granted to the State,
several rights were reserved (hel d) by the Federal government; among the se
are rights-of-way for construction of ra il roads, tel egraph and telephone
lines, ditches and canals. Patented lands, as conveyed, are subject to
any already vested and accrued water rights for mining, agriculture, or
manufactu ring.
Patents granted to the State, private persans and Native allotees, after
the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, will still contain
these standard reservations by the Federal government. Patents granted to
Native village and regional corporations throughout most of the State
will, however, not include these reservations. This change was affected
through the determination that ANCSA was not a public land law, but a
settlement of aboriginal claims, and as such, reservations by the Fed.eral
government were no longer appropriate. There does remain a question as to
wh at wi 11 bé conveyed to the Native Corporations in the Cook Inl et Region
as a result of the agreement to exchange State, Federal and Native Lands.
4-8
·~
~-
·~
'""-"' Mental Health Lands
Under Congressional legislation passed when Alaska was a territory and re-
affi nned ifl the S.tatehood Act, the State 1 s en ti tl ed to select 1,000,000
acres of land to support Mental Heal th Programs. Prior ta July 1, 1978
lànds selected for this purpose were administered by the State with
di sposal of these lands only being made after approval by the Mental
Health Board.
On July 1, 1978 legislation became effective which abol ished the Mental . .
Health Land trust and which created in its place a monetary trust that
.. would support the mental health programs in the future. By this legis-
lation, all former Mental Health lands patented or approved for patent ta
the state were redesignated as General. Grant lands. This redesigr1ati9n
all ows these lands ta be more eas ily administered or disposed of by ~h~
state in conveyi ng out i ts land management function. This former Mental
Health Land is now also avaiilable to municipalities for selection urider
0 the tenns of AS 29.18, the ~unicipal Entitlement Act. The· redesignation.
of Mental Kealth lands to Gen'eral Grant lands does not effect the val idi ty
of any d~ed, contract, sale, lease, easement, right-of-way, permit, min-
eral lease disposal or other conveyance of the land.
'-/
Water W!}' Bottoms
Under the authority of Section 6(m) of the . Alaska Statehood Act, the
Submerged Lands Act of 1953, and other court decisions, the State hol~s
title to land under navigable and tidal waters within the State. Titie to
these lands was vested upon admission as a State ta the United States pn
January 3, 1959.
Navigable Waterwaxs
Identification of navigable streams in the areas of Native village land
with4rawals ha.s · ~n made by the state of Alaska Division of Lands. The
4-9
id~ntification was limited to the confines of village land withdrawals and
in sorne cases may be incomplete.
The Chuitna River is the only water body considered for navigability by
the Bureau of Land Management on lands selected by the Tyonek Native
Corporation. It has been determined that the Chuitna River is not a
navigable' river by reason of travel, trade ànd commerce, according to
• recQnmendations issued December 24, 1975 by the BLM which allowed a 30 day
notiCe· period to submit comlflents. No comments were received on the
dete.nninati·on of non-navigabili ty of the Chui tna River .
. According to the State, navigable rivers are located within the Cook Inlet
Land Exchange, Beluga Pool, part of the Tyonek Native Corporation Village
Withdrawal area. Title to land beneath the navigable streams is to remain
with t.he.~ State. The State's determination of the navigable waters in the
area is listed in Table 4-4.
What makes ·a stream or lake navigable is defined somewhat differently by'
the State and Federal governments. The Federal government's focus is on
trade. and commercial activi ty. The State considers activi ti es su ch as
float plane docking, dog sled routes on the ice during the winter, and.
vessel passability, as appropriate criteria for determination of navig-
abili ty. The Corps .of Engineers & Bureau of Land Management determine
nav'igabil ity of Al as kan waters for the Federal government.
In his 24 Issue pol icy document on the Native Land Cla ims Settl ement dated
March, 1978, the Secretary of Interior' s pol icy regardi ng the disposition
of lands under navigable waters includes the following:
o Ownership to submerged lands beneath navigable streams will be
conveyed on a section by section basis. Sections with lands
under navigable streams not selected will remain in Federal, or
if applicable, State ownership.
0 The process of determining navigability of Alaskan streams and
identification of inland waters is to continue. Criteria for
navigability is to be mutua11y established between the State,
Native groups and the Bureau of Land Management. Confl icts · i.n ·
opinion will be brought before the Federal Regional Sol icitor
for review ,and possible litigation.
4-10
TABLE 4-4
STATE DETERMINATION OF NAVIGABLE WATERS
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT*
River
Theodora River
Lewis River
Middle .Ri ver
Chuftna River
Three Mile Creek
Congahbuna Lake
Beluga River
Chakachatna River
Nikolai Creek
Coastal Waters
Location
T.l3N., R.9W., S.M.
T.l3N., R.9W., S.M.
T. 1 ON. , R. 1 jW. , S . M •
T.12N., R.llW., S.M.
T.l2N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 8 & 9
T • 11 N • , R. 1 2W . , S • M •
T. l3N. , R. 9, 10 & 11 W. , S. M.
T. l3N . , R, 1 6W. , S • M.
T • llN • , R • 1 2W . , S • M •
T.11-13N., R.B-12\~., S.M.
*Sînce determinations of navigable waters were made only within the
confines of the Tyonek Village withdrawal lands, other areas of these
streams or lakes may also be determined navigable.
: Sôurce: State of Alaska; Oepartment of Natural Resources, Division
of Lands, Wâter Oelineation Maps.
4-11
Since there is no consensus on what determines navigabil ity, Federal
courts will decide finally whether a particular stream or lake is indeed
navigable or non-navigable.
According to the Alaska Administrative Code (11 AAC 83.625), lands
underneath navigable streams and lakes are called 11 shorelands." These are
lands belonging to the State which are covered by non-tidal waters up to
the ordinary high water mark, deemed navigable under U.S. laws.
Shorelands don't include tidelands or submerged lands as the latter are
covered periodically by tidal action. Tidelands, submerged lands and
shorelands are all types of lands beneath navigable waters. Tidelands and
submerged lands are bene ath coastal waters; shorel ands are b~neath i rila nd
waters.
Ti de lands
Tidelands are lands which are periodically covered by tidal waters between
the elevation of mean high and mean 1 ow ti des. The State al so has ti tl·e
to the "submerged lands 11 which are those covered by tidal wat.ers between
the mean low water 1 ine (zero elevation} seaward three geographical/or
nautical miles (3.45 statute miles).
The State cannot sell its tide, submerged and shore lands (AS 38.05.045).
In granting any permit or easement to tide or submerged lands, the upland
owner has the first preference to the use of the land. If the projected
use of the permit involves a hydroelectric project or uses equipment which
might divert, obstruct or pollute the flow of a river or stream, the
applicant must obtain pr1or approval fran the Oepartment of Fish and Game.
The same approval is required if any of the waters or ma teri al s from ·
rivers, lakes, or streams are utilized.
Leases are required for any project involving substanthl development of
semf-permanent or permanent structures on State owned tide and submerged
4-12
.:_;
1
{~
lands. Typical uses for which leases are required include construction of
piers, wharves, causeways. boat marinas, fill for expansion of commert1a1
' < ••
activities,and. log storage of a pennanent nature.
ln· the event the use of the penni t inval ves navigable water or in any way
interferes wi th navigation, penni ssion must be obtained from the Corps of
Engineers. For example, when a right-of-way application or permit fi led
by the Department of Transportation for a portion of road from Chuitna to
Goose Bay, the Corps was necessarily consul ted. Before the pennit was
approved, the Corps expressed its prel iminary consent by fil ing a letter
of non-objection (LTR) in the case of each potential crossing of a stream
or river.
STATE LANO CLASSIFICATIONS
The State land classification system which is current1y being revised is
similar to zoning, .. in that there are different classification categories
which reflect the capabil i ti es and different potential uses of the land.
Unlike zoning, however, the classification system appl ies to State-owned
land only. Also unlike zoning, the present state classification system
contains no provisions to guarantee that once title to State-owned land is·
passed, it will continue to be used for the classified purpose. The.
classification systan is presently undergoing revision within the Division
of Lands. {State Division of Lands, CZM Report, December 31, 1977. For
more information, contact Planning & Classification Section of the State
Division of Lands for details.)
In the Beluga Coal District, the following land classifications exist:
. Res:ource Management Lands
Industrial Lands
Rèserved UsE! Lands
Material Lands
The Beluga Land Classifications are described and are tabulated in
following secti,ons to show ownersh1p r1ghts and the extent of development.
y 4-13
The primary reference in the Alaska Statutes to State Land Classification
is found in AS 38.05.300, which provides for the Director of the St~te .
Division of Lands to make a preliminary classification for the surface use
of all lands in the a reas he cons iders necessary and proper for future
development. The classification together wi th the land-use plan is then
transmitted to the Commissioner of Natural Resources for approval,
modification, or rejection. This does not prevent reclassification .of.
lands where the public interest warrants reclassification nor does it
preclude multiple uses of lands when the different uses are compatible. A
major restriction on the classification of State lands is contained in the
above referenced statute, which states,
11 No State land, water or land and water areas shall, except by act of
the State Legislature, be closed to multiple purpose use if the are.a
involved contains more than 640 acres.11
Resource ·. Management Lands
Resource management lands contain an association of surface and/or sub-
surface resources which are especi ally sui ted to multiple use management.
In the Beluga Coal Di strict, Resource Management Lands are being used in
several ways: oil and gas leasing, coal prospecting and leasing, a timber
sale and mining permits, with sorne uses overlapping on the same lands.
Approximately half of the Beluga Di strict is under. re source management
classifications.
IndustrtJl Lands
Industrial lands are those which, because of location, physical features
or adjacent developments, may best be utilized for industrial purposes.
According tQ the State Administrative Code, these lands may be disposed of
by lease or sale (11 AAC 52.070}.
4-14
~~ The,re are cùrrentfy several sites of varyi ng sizes which are classified as
. indus:trial si.tes in the Beluga District. These include the Kodiak Lurnber
docking' facility ëlt North Forelands; the ·Chugach Electric Power Plant near
· Tyonek, and· several other si tes are operated by Texaco and A tl an tic
Richfield. See Table 4-5 for list of industrial sites.
Lands leased frQTI the State for commercial or indus tri al purposes can only
be uséd for the purposes designated and are subject to local building and
zoning codes, whj'ch in the Beluga District largely involves the Kenai
Per\insula · ·aorough, al th9ugh the Ma tanus ka Borough has juri sdicHon
,Qenerally north of Beluga Lake and east of the Susi~na Flats.
Reserved Use .La.nds
Reserved use lands are those which have be en transferred, assigned, or de-
s ignated for present or for future public use by a governmental · or
quas 1-goyerrrnental agency, or for future devel opment of new townsites, or
for future ·expansion of existing townsites. Reserved use lands are
available for leasing and may be utilized under an Inter-Agency Land
Management Trans fer. Lands transferred to a qual i fied agency may be
.. util ized by sublease or any other manner providing su ch ut il izati on is
consiStent with the function of the agency and the provisions of the Land
Act.
See Table 4~6 for the list of applications or requests on file at the
Division of Lands for Reserve Use Classifications in the Beluga Coal
District.
Material Lands
The $tate of Alaska is authorized by Alaska Statute 38.05.110 to sen
sand, rock, gravel, pumice, clay and other material.s located on
state-owned tidelands and uplands. Material sales are administered by the
. 'oepar'tfnent .. of Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water Management
unclér 'tttè regula tory authori ty of 11 AAC 76.
4-15
SITE
NUMBER
C170
Cl313
Cl336
C1336
C1369
Cl483
Cl487
C1906
TABLE 4-5
INOUSTRIAL SITES
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
JUNE 1978
TOWNSHIP
LOCATION &
SlZE DESCRJPTION
T.llN., R.l2W., S.M. Tide1ands
Sec. 28, 255.87 ac.
T.llN., R. 12W., S.M. 0 & G Support Facil i tfes
Sec. 27, 248.64 ac.
T.llN., R.12W., S.M. 0 & G Support Facilities
Sec. 28. 351.45 ac.
T.13N., R. lOW., S.M. Chugach Electric Power Plant
Sec. 27, 80 ac.
T. 11 N • , R. 12W. , S. M. 0 l G Support Facilities
Sec • 28, 126 ac. (tidelands)
' T.llNot R.l2W., S.M. 0 & G Support Facilities
Sec. 29, 397 ac. , &
Sec. 30, 6 ac.
T.llN., R.llW., S.M. Ship Docking Facility
Sec. 28 & 33, 36.82 ac. 0 & G Support Fac ilities
( tidel ands)
T.llN., R.llW., S.M. Ship Docking Facility
ATS 931, 44.86 ac. Kodiak Lumber Company
DATE
CLASSIFIED
12-13-61
9-30.:.65
12-27-65
4-8-66
4-13-66
2 .. 21-68
2-6-68 .
5-28-74
Source: State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources Status Plats. For
complete legal descriptions, including aliquot part descriptions,
contact Alaska Division of Lands.
4'"16
ADL
APPLICATION #
Cl 647
26336
26338
26469
26919.
26922
··.' 45'327 .
'54956
57066'
p9720 ·.·
···;So(!.~~n·
TABLE 4-6
RESERVED USE LANDS
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
JUNE 1978
LOCATION & SIZE (Acreage) DESCRIPTION
T.l3N., R.lOW., S.M. Beluga River access
Sec. (corners) 1-4, barge landing site
15 acres
T.l2N., R.llW., S.M. Chuit River·
Sec. 26 & 28, 26 acres access site
T.UN., R.l4W., S.M. West Creek.
Sec. 6, 30 acres access site
T.l1N., R.l3W., S.M. Nikolai Creek
Sec. 14, 7 acres access site
T.llN., R.l3W., S.M. Nikolai Creek
Sec. 22, 640 acres Rec. & Waterfowl
A rea
T.l4N., R.9W., S.M. Skoog L~ke &
Sec. 36 & 31, 640 acres Ivan River
T.~2N., R.lOW., S.M. barge landing site
Sec. 20 (U.S.S. 4679)
.. T .14N., R.llW., S.M. Oept. of Fish & Game
Sec. 32 request
T.l1N., R.l2W., S.M. Future State Sub-
Sec. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, division
9, & 10
T.12N., R.l2W., S.M.
Sec. 33 &·· 34
T.12N .• , R.lOW., S.M.
s,c~ 7, 5.2 acres
Dept. of Fish & Game
request
DATE OF
CLASSIFICATION
12~4-73
.2-17-65
2-17-65
2-17-65
3•25-65
3-25-65
5-2-69
7-21-71
4~17-72
2-2-73
State of Al~ska, Department of Natural Resources. For complete
legal' Descriptions., incl uding Al iquot part descriptions, contact
.. Mas~ Divisiop of Lands. · · ·
' ~. '.
4-17
General authority for the sale of materials from the state lands requires
the Director of the Division of Lands to recommend areas and terms or
material sales to the Canmissioner of Natural Resources. The Director•s
authori ty has been del egated departmentally to the Di rector of Land and
Water Management.
The statutory requirernents for public notice and review (AS 38.05.305 and
AS 38.05.345) are the same for competitive material sales (sales of more
than $5,000 worth of materials) as they are for tideland leases.
Li kewise, the statute deal ing with navigable or public waterways .(AS
38.05.127) as discussed under tideland leases applies to material sales.
Before a public hearing on the sale in conjunction with sections 305 and
345, or in any case no less than 21 days be fore the sale, the State
Director of Land & Water Management must mak.e available to the public a
written decision in which are set out the facts and the applicable law
upon whi ch the detennination that the sale will serve the best interests
of the State is based (AS 38.05.035(a)(14)).
Under AS 38.05.115(a), not more than $5,000 worth of materials may be so1d
by nonadvertised, negotiated sale to the same purchaser within a one-year
period. Also affecting Material Sales are the classification regulations,
which are covered in a separate section of this chapter.
All materials to which Alaska may hold fee title or to which Alaska may,
· become entitled ~Y be sold (11 AAC 76.400).
Under 11 AAC 76.415, prior to the offering of any materials for sale, the
lands upon which the ma teri al s are located must be classified or, if they
are already classified, the classification must be reviewed by the
Director of the Division of Lands.
4-18
\.J
·""-' ...
d!~
Minimwn qual i ficàtions for a ma teri al sale appl icant are provided for in
11 AAC 76.420. Specifically, an appl icant must:
1. · be a citizen of the U.S. and at least 19 years of age; or
2. have filed a declaration of intent to become a citizen and be at
least 19· years of age; or
3. be a group, association or corporation authorized to conduct
business in A las ka; or
4. be acting as· an agent qualified by filing, prior to the time set
for the a~ction, a proper power of attorney or letter. of
authorizati on.
The regulations generally provide for the procedures to be followed in
material sales rather than spell ing out environmental, social or other
criteria which should be used to detennine whether a particular sale is in
the bes.t interests of the State.
'"-" 11 AA.C 76.465 gives the Director discretionary authority to require a per-
so.nal or corporate $Urety bond of the ma teri als purchaser. Under 11 AAC
76.515 the sales contract may be assigned, but only if approved by the
Director.
11 AAC 76.530 requires the purchaser of materials fran the State to comply
with all regulations or ordinances in effect governing sanitation and
sanitation practices. 11 AAC 76.535 requires the purchaser to take all
reasonable precautions to prevent and suppress uncontrolled brush, grass
or forest fires on the lands from which the materials are to be extracted.
Oepartmental policy regarding material sales can be found in the material
sales contract f<mn, which contains a number of restrictive operating re-
qufrements, including:
· Road construction or operations in connection wi th this con tract
shall be com:lucted so as to a void damage to streams, 1 akes or other
. water areas and lands adjacent thereto. Vegetation and materials
4 .. 19
shall not be deposi ted into any stream or other water area.
Locations and/or improvements necessary for stream crossing for haul
roads shall be approved in advance by the state. All roads to be
abandoned shall be treated with such measures as necessary to prevent
erosion. Any damages resulting from fa il ure to perfonn these
requirements shall be repaired by the purchaser to the satisfaction
of the state.
The pu rchaser shall take all necessary precautions for the prevention
of wildfires and shall be responsible for the suppression and bear
the suppression costs of any and all destructive or uncontrolled
fires occurring within or without the contract area resulting fran
any and all operations invol ved in the removal of the materiàl.
Before construction of any ma in haul, secondary or spur roads ac ross
State lands, the purchaser shall obtain written approval of the
location and construction standards of such roads fran the State.
The sales contract fonn al so requi res that any improvements or transpor-
tation facilities, including crushers, mixing plants, buildings, bridges
and/or roads constructed by the purchaser in connection with the sale and
within the sale area be in accordance with plans approved by the Sta:te.
The contract shall be tenninated or suspended if the purchaser does not
comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the contract, including
the State Department of Fish and Game regulations pertaining to the pro-
tection of wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Although not a matter of fonnal written policy, material sales are
\'
evaluated using basically the same criteria used for permits and leases:
ccmpatibility with existing or proposed uses, suitability of the site,
4-20
confonnance with local zoning, possible resource conflicts, the environ-
. mental and social impact of the sale, and the probable future benefit or
hann,'
Material sales proposals are subjected to interagency review which is
similar to that given pennits --at the minimum the proposed sale is
reviewed by the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Environ ..
mental Conservation and any affected municipal i ty or Native corporation.
For any sale which might affect navigabil ity, concurrence from the U .. S.
Anny Corps of Engineers 1s obtained. Exceptions are negotiated material
sales located in an e.stablished quarry which has already been subjected to
a review and decision process. Interagency review in this case would be
requested only if a significant factor relating to the original decision
had been altered.
· For material sales
tacted for comment.
Di strict.
on the tidel ands, upland and adjacent owners are con-
See Table 4-7 for Material Sales in the Beluga Co~l
On Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Land Exchange lands, sand and gravel are to be
conveyed as the surface estate which means that CIRI will have the rights
of the sand and gravel on all exchange lands except those where .the
surface estate is conveyed to the Kenai Peninsula Borough or Matanuska
Susitna Borough.
On Tyonek Nat ive Corporation Lands, grave 1 i s a 1 so cons ide red su rfa ce
estate, for the present at least. The resùlts of a lawsuit in Federal
District Court co·ncerning whether sand and gravel is of the surface or
subsurface estate resulted in a decision by Judge von der Heydt in
Anchorage wh ich is being appeal ed. The resul ts of that 1 itigation woul d
finally detennine whether Cook Inlet Region, Inc. or Tyonek Native
Corporation woul d have juri sdiction over the management of these
materials. Judge von der Heydt found that on village lands such as the
Tyonek•s fonner Moquawkie Indian Reserve and Village selected State
Tenta~ively Approued Lands north of the reserve, gravel is of the surface.
4-21
ALASKA DIVISION
OF LANDS NUMBER
81259
81332
TABLE 4-7
MATERIAL SALES
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
JUNE 1978
LOCATION
& SIZE
T.13N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 12, 40 acres
T.13N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec. 6, 10 acres
DESCRIPTION
Pit run barrow
Gravel
EXPIRATION
DATE
12-31-78
8-21-79
Source: State of Alaska, Oepartment of Natural Resources Status Plats. For
complete legal descriptions, including aliquot part descriptions,
contact Alaska Division of Lands.
4oo22;
\.)
estate. On Regional deficiency lands, (none of which occur in the BeluS<;l
. a rea) , grave} 'woul~ be of the sub su rf ace es ta te •
Water Rights
Availabili.ty of water and regulations concerning its use are two important
factors in coal production due to the large quantities of water required
for washing the coal in the recovery process.
Federal and State regulations cover specifie areas of water ownership and
use. Federal District Court Judge von der Heydt's decision on easements
addresses as well the ownership of lands beneath navigable waters as well
as water rights in Alaska. The Submerged Lands Act confers to the State
11 ••• Title to and ownership of the lands beneath the navigable waters
wi thin. the boundaries of the respective States, and the natural resources
within such lands and waters, 43 U.S.C. Sec. 131l(a)(l).11 The Act further
states "nothing in this chapter shall be construed as affecting ... the
laws of the State which lies wholly or in part westward of the 98th
Meridian, relating to ~nership and control of grmmd and surface watërs;
and the appropriation, use, and distribution of such waters shall continue
to be in accorda nee wi th the laws of su ch States, 43 u.s. C. 1311 ( e)."
Under Federal law, ownership and control of the land under navigable
waters is confi.rmed in the State. See also AS 44.03.020. The .ownership :of
grou nd and surface waters is to be determined according to State 1 aw~.
Under the Alaska Constitution and State Law, the ownership of s~ch
waterways is plaeed in the people of the State (Alaska Constitution,
Article VIII, Sec. 3. and A.S. 46~15.030). Accordingly the State owns or
controJs the land beneath navigable waters and the water itself on
non·navigable rivers and streams.
The taking of water fran surface and subsurface sources on State, Federal
and priva te lands is allowed for purposes defined as "beneficial use ....
[for] the appropriator, other persons or the public." Title 46 of the
Alaska Statutes, the Water Use Act, identifies pol ici es governing water
appropriation and grants the Oepartment of Natural R.esources the authority
to prescribe procedures and regulations concerning diverting, impounding,
4;...23
wi thdrawi ng and/or distributing water. Appropriation may be made for ose . .
"reasonable and consistent with the pub1 ic interest, including, bUt not
limited to, domestic, agricultural, irrigation, industrial, manufacturing,
mining, power, public, sanitary, fish and wildlife, and recreation uses.11
(AS 46.'15.010}
Application for water appropriation pennits is made to the Department of
Natural Resources. Additional review is accomplished by the Department of
Environmental Conservation and the Department of Fish and Game, Public
Notice and Review, and by affected pennit holders and previous appl icants.
·Although .. sorne use categories are presently exempt from the Water Use Act
(less than 1,000 gallons per day/domestic and certain remote location
uses), sorne serious appropriation problems have developed. In the first
case, typified by the situation in sorne areas on the Kenai Peninsula, long
time domestic us ers who did not ob tain penni ts are discovering thei r wa ter
resources being drawn down by nearby industrial users who have
appropriation penni ts, and thus establ i shed rights to the water. Dornes tic
users are finding that they have no rights whatsoever to water they .have
depended on for years. In the second case, major remote industrial users,
not subject to revi ew by State and 1 oc al agencies, could have
significantly adverse effects on an area in bath economie and
environmental concerns. Proposed changes to the regulations include
provisions to delete these exemptions.
The statutes list two additional criteria which must be met before pennit
i ssuance. The se cover prior user rights and divers ion or construction
methods. Other considerations for detennining the public interest
~ . .
requirement are also listéd: (1) the benefit to the applicant; (2) the
effect of the economie act ivi ty re sul ting from the proposed appropriation;
(3) the effect on fish and game resources and on public recreation
opportunities; (4) the effect on public health; (5) potential loss of
water supplies identified for future use by the di'strict or regional
planning; (6} hann to other persans resulting from the· proposed
appropriation; (7} the intent and abi 1 i ty of the appHcant 'to· cômplete the
4-24
' .. j': '. """" '
appropriation; and, (8) the effect upon access to navigable or public
waters (AS 46.15.080}.
Upon completion of construction of the works and commencement of use, the
pennit holder may obtain a Certificate of Appropriation. Current Water
Rights Certificates for this area are listed in Table 4-8.
Sta te Game Refuges
This category, distinct and separa te from Resource Management Lands, was
establ i shed by 1 egi slative defini ti on to provide for special i zed manage-
ment requi rements and because of the large size of the subject areas~
Two large game refuges, Susitna Flats and Trading Bay, bracket the Beluga
Coal District. The largest, the 240,000 acre Susitna Flats State Game
Refuge, established by the State Legislature in 1976, covers the extensive
mud flats and the lowlands of the Susitna River Delta. It also includes
"-' the mouth of the Beluga River. Most of this refuge lies east of the
Beluga Coal District in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, with a few sections
in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Approximately 88,900 acres 1 ie in the
Belgua District, in the following locations in the Seward Meridian:
T.l3N., R.9W.; T.l3N., R.lOW.; T.14N., R.9W.; T.l4N., R.lON.; and in
T. 15N. , R. 9W.
The refuge has previously been administered on a cooperative basis by the
State Department of Natural Resources, the State Department of Fi.sh and
Game and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Upon passage of the State Law
creating the game refuge, AS 16.20.036, the Department of Fish and Game
assumed responsibil i ty for management.
A railroad or highway connecti.ng the Anchorage/Wasilla/Willow areas to the
Beluga Càal District woul d pass through the Northern segment of this
refuge,, a condition that is not strictly proh·ibited in the enabling
legislation, but which nonetheless would be highly sensitive, requiring
public hearings as well as the formal approvals of State agencies. The
State Department of Fish and Game suggests the desirability of impact
4-25
DIVISION OF LANDS
TABLE 4-8
~~ATER RIGHTS
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
JUNE 1978
APPLICATION # LOCATION DESCRIPTION
WR 44838
WR 45467
WR 45765
T.l2N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 4, U.S.S. 4541
T.l2N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 9, U.S.S. 2345
T.12N., R~lOW., S.M. u.s.s. 3072.
Certificate #741
Louis Kozisek
Anchorage, Alaska
1,000 gal. per day/
domestic
Certificate #742
Louis Kozisek
Anchorage, Alaska
5,000 gal. per day/
domestic
Certificate #739
Earl Roberts
Anchorage, Alaska
5,000 gal. per day/
domestic & commercial
at fish camp
PRIORITV DATE
1951
,.'
1956
1940
Source: State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources Status Plats. For
complete descriptions, including al iquot part descriptions, contact
Alaska Oiv·ision of Lands.
4-26
i~
studies and. a consideration of alternate routes, or possible" transpor-
tation corridors. Such construction is therefore possible, subject to
compatibility with multiple land use legislation and submission of pÜ1ns
and specifications as identified in Alaska Statute 16.20.50 and 16.20.060.
Within the Susitna Flats Game Refuge, there are lands which are currently
under oil and gas lease, and lands which are under mining permits and coal
prospecting . penni ts. There is al so a permit for a 150 foot wide
right-of-way for an electric transmission 1 ine, as well as rights-of-way
for several oil companies which provide access to their current oil and
gas leases ..
The Tentatively Approved lands selected by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
that are located wi thin the Su si tna Flats Game Refuge may be relinqui shed
by the Borough. Access to the several private pa reels of land within the
refuge are provided by transportation corridors determined by mutual
agreement with the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish.a~d
Game, and the owner. The holders of Set Net Site Leases which are
numerous in the tidel ands and offshore a reas are al so as su red access.
However, the access rights of the numerous squatters who have duck shacks
on the Susitna Flats in the Refuge is unknown.
The Trading Bay State Game Refuge establ i shed in 1976 by Al as ka Statute
16.20.038, has essentially the same provisions as the Susitna Refuge with
one difference. Exi sting rights-of-way in lands for roads and rail r.dads
and pipelines are excluded from the lands of the Trading Bay State Garn~
Refuge. When pennits 'or applications for· su ch rights-of-ways expire, tne
land on which they are located will becane part of the refuge. Only a
small portion of this 168,000 acre refuge lies in the central Beluga Coal
District: in T.llN., R.13W.; T.llN., R.14W.; a few sections in T.12N.,
R.13W.; and a few sections in T.12N., R.14W.
Figure 4-1 shows the relative relationship of the Beluga Coal District to
the seven State game refuges on Upper Cook Inlet, including Turnagain Ann
and Kn ik Ann.
4-27
.,..
1
N a>
/''
(')+
(') >
v
i-' v~>:')
-< ~ ,, ~
)." ·"/
~==~-'--=-===: JI
1
• > • "_ ..
~~ ' (...: ... ~·----~~~"!.·· l.lti).O·Ii:""l!Ol W<l;l ••-t'lit l"•'.: ta. ,..,. .. ,.1
il .. O 1!"'' ~IH .... P.,lo11•1 ~.,.,..,,., ....... ~~y
""LIIE:EI"-'Y~I
ITATE OAIIE A[~f
Figure 4-l -State Game Refuges -Up{,~ Cook In let, Southcentra 1 Region
,,
!
•
-Refuge lands have been open for selection by Native Corporations and
municipalities. Any lands received by the Natives in the Cook Inlet Land
Exchange will be excluded from the Refuges. A small portion of the
Susi tna Refuge is part of the Beluga Pool of the Cook In let Exchange, as
-follows: T.13N., R.10W., S.M. Sections 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 36~
Timber Sale
A large portion of the Beluga area is composed of a timber sale which is
operated by Kodiak Lumber Mills. This sale, #60524, consists of 233,000
acres. Kodiak Lumber Mill' s ten year contract, effective through August,
1983, is for 6 million board feet of beetle-infested spruce trees.
Timber sale-s are regulated and administered by the Department of Natural
Re sources ( 11 AAC 76 and AS 38.05.110). Procedures for timber sales are
managed by the Di vision of Land and Wa ter Man ag emen t (AS 38. 05. 120).
Evaluation criteria include the following: (1} compatibility with
,, existing or proposed uses; (2) suitability of the site; (3) confonnance
with zoning; (4) possible resource conflicts; (5) environmental and social
impact; {6) future resultant benefits or damage. Special contract
provisions may caver raad construction, logging methods, silvacultural
practices, reforestation, fi re control, slash disposal and protection of.
improvements, watersheds and recreational values (11 AAC 76.110).
Review of propo.sal s is al so conducted by the Department of Fish and Game,
the Department of Environmental Conservation and any affected municipality
and/or Native village or corporation. Public notice and review
regulations for t imber sales of more than 500 mill ion board feet are the
same as for tidel and leases.
NATIVE LANDS
There are five classes. of Native land rights in the Beluga Coal District:
(1) Native allotments; (2) IRA Tribal Council lands; (3) other Native
4-29
"
1 ands subject to reconveyance under Section 14{c) of ANCSA incl uding the :,,._i
IRA Council; (4) Tyonek Native Corporation lands,* and (5} Cook Inlet
Region, Inc,. lands.
The largest Native landholder in the Beluga District will be Cook Inlet
Region, Inc. (CIRI). CIRI will eventually own 13.5 townships of Beluga
Coal Di strict Lands, bath the surface and the subsurface es tate, pl us tbe. k.
subsurface estate of lands which the Tyonek Native Corporation will
· receive.
There may be other Native holdings or land ownership in the area, such as
set net site leases or other private interests in land, but the five above
cl asses are al most ex cl us iv el y hel d by Natives under special legislation.
Native Allotme.nts
Sometimes thought of as the Homestead Act for Alaska Natives, the Native
Allotment Act of May 17, 1906, as amended August 2, 1956, authorized the
Secretary of Interior to allot land to any Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo of
full or mixed blood who reside.s in and is a Native of Alaska and who is
the head of a family or is 21 years of age. A land area not to exceed 160
acres of vacant, unappropriated and unreserved non-mineral lànd in Alaska,
or subject to the provisions of the Act of March 8, 1922, certain vacant,
unappropriated and unreserved public land in A las ka that may be valuable
for coal,. oil or gas deposits or under certain conditions of National
Forest Lands in Alaska was made a va il able if various candi ti ons were met.
* Includes surface estate of the fonner Moquawkie Indian Reserve, sorne
Tentatively Approved State Land, including Mental Health Lands .and General·
Grant, all selected ta meet the entitlement under ANCSA, .and. one township
of State land near the Village, which is. a va Hable should the V ill age
Corporation desire to exchange their Kenai National Moose Range Selection
across Cook Inlet for State lands near their village.·
4-30
.. jj ~
-" The application must have been on file with the Department of Interior
(either the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Bureau of Land Management)
be fore December 18, 1971, the date Al as ka Native Cl a ims Settl ement Acf was
enacted. Proof of use and occupancy must have been . fi led with the
application, or must have been filed within si~ years of filing the
application, and the use and occupancy must have been substantial and
continuous for a period of five years, except seasonal use customary to
the normal way of livelihood was acceptable. Casual or intermittent use
was not acceptable. Use must have been for the exclusive use of the
Native appl icant and his or her immediate family --it could not be
partial use in connection with a group, canmunal or village use, and must
have been sufficiently obvious that others were aware that the land was
being used by the applicant. No allotment could be given to mineral
lands, except if the land was valuable only for coal, oil and/or gas, an
allotment could be made, but the mineral rights to the coal, oil and/or
gas were reserved to the United States.
The ti tl e to a Native Allotment woul d be under a restricted ti tl e, that
is, the land cannat be mortgaged, leased, sold, or deeded away without the
approval of the Secretary of Interior or someone designated by him. The
allotee or his heirs may deed the allotted land to another with the
approval of the Secretary of Interior and the purchaser will then receive
an unrestricted or fee ti tle unl ess the purchaser is a Native wh an the , ,.
Secretary of interior determines should continue to have a restricted
title.
So long as title to a Native allotment is held in a restricted status, the
·'
land is not taxable by the State of Alaska or local authorities, such as
the Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The lands would become
subject to taxation upon removal of restrictions. Incarne from developing
or leasing allotted land is probably not taxable:~ although there is no
clear rul ing on this point, so long as the title remains in a restricted
status. But, it becomes taxable if restrictions are removed.
4-31
The re are eight Native Allotments in the Beluga Coal Di strict. Three have
been patented, one has an amended certificate, and four are still in ~he
application stage and have not been finally adjudicated by the Bureau of
Land Management; see Table 4-9. Should all of the Native allotments. in
the area be approved, a total of 1120.68 acres woul d be owned by Native
allottees.
Native Corporations
Of the three Native corporations which will own land in the immediate
vicinity of Tyonek and the Beluga Coal District, all three corporations
have their principal corporate .offices Jocated in Anchorage, and all three
empl oy business managers. The three Native Corporations are:
0
0
0
The Native Village of Tyonek, Inc., the Federally chartered IRA
Tribal Council which is elected by the village and governs the
village.
The Tyonek Native Corporation, the for-profit village corpor-·
ation which manages the money and land resulting from the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), for shareholders enrolled
ta the village at Tyonek.
Cook Inlet Region, Inc., one of the 12 for-profit landed
regional corporations which manage the money and land resulting
from .ANCSA for their at-large and village shareholders,
including individual Natives enrolled to the v ill age of
Tyonek.
Under the Federal Charter, the Tyonek Tribal Councfl has the power to
organize a police force, a fire department and provide just about any
other municipal services common ta a community incorporated under the laws
of the State of Alaska {See Appendix A). The CoUncil does not, however,
exercise all of its powers. The Village Council determines what roads
will be built. where new housing will be developed and makes other
decisions generally affecting the health, safety and welfare of village
residents.
The Village Council al so manages the assets wi th the assistance of the
General manager. including the substantial .real property, that resulted.
fran the Department of Interior's 1ease , of on and ,9a,s lands on the
Moquawkie Indian Reserve. THe Village Councfl real ized about $14 mill ion
4-32
• ·. ..1 ·~· ~~
·.:.J
....._..,
,r
TABLE 4-9
NATIVE ALLOTMENTS
IN SHORELINE TOWNSHIPS
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
APPLICATION # LOCATION & SIZE CERTIFICATE # & DATE DATE OCCUPIED
AA 6459 T.l2N., R.llW., S.M. Apln 8-23-71 1949
M & B, 160 ac.
AA 7268 T~12N., R.llW., S.M. Apln 3-20-72 7/1946
160 ac.
AA 7324 T.12N., R.11W., S.M. Apln 3-23-72 5/1953
160 ac.
AA 7788 T.l2N., R.11W., S.M. Apln 4-20-72 6/1957
160 ac.
A 053444 T.13N., R.l1W., S.M. Arndt Cert 11-17-64 U-16-34
M & B, 160 ac.
A 055082 T.l2N., R.11W., S.M. 50-75-0138/3-14-75 11-1.6-40
U.S.S. 4547, 119.39 ac.
A 055680 T.12N., R.l1W., S.M. 50-66-0608/6-20-66 9-15-41
U.S.S. 4546, 160 ac.
A 057450 T.12N., RlOW., S.M. 50-75-0184/6-5-75 2-15-57
M & B, 41.29 ac.
--
Total acreage 1120.68
Source: BLM Status Plats, June 1978. For complete descriptions, including
aliquot part descriptions, contact Alaska Division of Lands. ·
4-33
from the lease sale and as a result has made various investments to
benefit thei r membershi p. For example, the Tyonek Native V ill age, .rnc.
owns two-thirds interest in Central Alaska Util ities and three office
buildings in Anchorage, including the Kaloa Bldg. at 16th & C Street; the
Williams Bldg. on East 4th Avenue, neat Juneau Street; and Builders
Millwork and Supply Company Bldg. on Tudor Raad. Homes for the Tribal
mernbership wer·e constructed bath at Tyonek and purchased for tribal
members outside the Reserve. The village store and airfield were built
and are ma intained from the le a se sale proceeds. Other improvements to
tribal lands were made so villagers could enjoy a better way of life. All
of these improvements were a result of the U.S. Department of the
Interior's lease of oil and gas on the Moquawkie Indian Reserve.
The Village Council l'las been cons idering incorporation as a city under the
laws of the State of Alaska. One reason stems from an interest in re-
taining control of village lands and lands destined for village expansion
under a provision of the Settlement Act. Under ANCSA, it is necessary for
· the other village corporation, the Tyonek Native Corporation, to convey
"the remaining improved land on which the Native Village is located and as
much additional land as is necessary for community expansion, an
appropriate rights-of-way for public use, and land for other foreseeable
community needs" to the appropriate municipal corporation where one exists
or otherwise to the State in trust for any municipal corporation
established in the Native Village in the future. In either case,
according to ANCSA, in Sec. 14(c}(3), the amount of land to be transferred
to the municipal corporation or in trust shall be no less than 1,280
acres, an area equivalent to two (2} square miles. The Alaska State
Legi~lature, in Alaska Statutes 44.47.15(g), defined the tenn 11 municipal
corporation" with respect to lands conveyed in trust under ANCSA as
including only first and second class cities incorporated under the laws
of the State. This law apparently precludes the Kenai Peninsula Borough .or
the IRA Tribal Council fran being a recipient of trust lands for the
village of Tyonek.
4-34
«''\
J
(
~ Tyonek Native Corporation will be receiving title to the lands for the
future city. If Tyonek were an incorporated city under State law, it
would reconvey title to the City (their own .tribal members) rather than to
the State to be held in trust for them.
The Tyonek Ai rfiel d, one of several priva te ai rfi el ds in the Beluga Coal
District ( see Figure 4-2), was cons tructed wi th 1965 o il and gas 1 ease
money. The field is maintained by the Village Council and has been found
to be a costly public improvement. At one time, the Village Counèil
attempted to transfer the airfield to the State Division of Aviation (now
the State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities) in an effort
to ease tlleir financial burden. At that time, the offer to give the
airfield ta the State was not accepted. The Village Council has retained
the right to refuse landi ng pr iv il eges to unwel come ai rcraft. The Tribal
Council established landing fees but it was .difficult to administer the
fee program. The village residents prefer to have control over who visits
the ir communi ty and because of the ir outright ownership of the ai rfiel d
they have had sorne control . However, the vi llagers do not 1 i ke the costs
associated with ownership.
The surface estate of the existing Tyonek airport, airway beacons,. and
other navigational a ids, together with such additional acreage and/or
easements as are necessary to provide related services and to insure .safe
approaches to the ai rport runways must be reconveyed to the Federal, State.
or Municipal government according ta the requirements in Section 14(c)(4)
of ANCSA.
Tyonek Native Corporation
The Tyonek Native Corporation was organized as a result of the passage of
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act by Congress and represents the 303
Native people enrolled ta the village of Tyonek. The Tyonek Village
entitlement according to Section 14(a) of ANCSA is 115,200 acres -
substantially larger than the 69,120 acres most villages receive. The
4-35
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
size of Tyonek's entitlement is based on the fairly large Native popu-
lation which the village had on the 1970 census enumeration date~
Villages with a population between 200 and 399 were entitled to 115,200
acres.
The lands patented to Tyonek Native Corporation will be limited to just
the surface estate of the lands -in accordance with Section 14(a) and (b)
ôf ANCSA. Patent to the subsurface estate will be made to Cook Inlet
Region, Inc. according to Section 14{f) of ANCSA. Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
is the regional corporation in which Tyonek Village lands are located.
The Region will not receive the subsurface estate of the Kenai National
Moose Range lands which the Tyonek Native Corporation sel ected. Section
14(f) provides that in lieu rights will be made for such unava ilabl.e
National Wil dl ife Refuge System subsu rfa ce.
A stipulation of the regional corporation patent to the subsurface estate
is that the right to explore, develop or remove minerals from the
subsurface es tate in the lands within the boundary of Tyonek V ill age, are
subject to the consent of the Village. Essentially this provision gives
Tyonek a "veto power" over unwanted development by Cook· Inlet Region.
Village approval was given by Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) recently
under this provision, as follows:
On July 13, 1977, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. entered into a
lease agreement with Simasko Production Company for
exploring and developing potential oil and natural gas in
an· area on the former Moquawkie Indian Reservation. Prior
to entering the land this past winter, Simasko also
executed an agreement with the Tyonek Native Corporation
which allows Simasko access to CIRI subsurface interests.
Simasko will begin drilling for the first of two wells
required by this contract in early 1978. If the indi-
cations for further exploration and, development are
favorab1e, four wells will eventually be drilled.
Because there are not sufficient lands available for selection to meet the
v ill age en ti tlement frOOJ among 1 ands surrounding the v ill age, the
Secretary of Interior set as ide "defie fency 1 ands" from nearby unreserved,
vacant and unappropriated public lands. Thus, much of the Tyonek
Village's land selected und~r ANCSA is ·nat adjacent ta the village site.
4-37
Adjacent selectable lands consisted of the Moquawkie Indian Reservation
(the Tyonek Village Indian Reserve) and State tentatively approved lands.·
Several miles across Cook Inlet fran the village, lands within the Keriai
National Moose Range were also selected. Although these lands are located
across the Inlet, they are within the village land withdrawals, and are
not deficiency land selections.
Deficiency selections were made south of the village along the West Coast
of Cook Inlet and from lands in the Upper Susi tna River a rea, where the
Susitn~ Hydroelectric Project is planned.
According the ANCSA Section 22(g), if a patent is issued to the Tyonek
Native Corporation for land in the Kenai National Moose Range, the patent
shall r~serve to the United States the right of fi rst refus al if the 1 and
is ever sold. Notwithstanding, any other provision of ANCSA, every patent
issued by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to ANCSA, which covers
lands lying within the boundaries of the Kenai National Moose Range, shall
conta1n a provision that such lands remain subject to the laws and
regulations governing use and development of the wildlife refuge.
Native Village of Tyonek, Inc.
Tyonek, which is located within the Kenai Peninsula Borough on the former
Moquawkie Indian Reserve is no,t incorporated as a city under the laws of
the State of Alaska. However, it is a Federally chartered Native village,
governed by an IRA (Indian Reorganization Act) Tribal Council. The Tribal
Cou neil --al so called the Village Cou neil --is the poli ti cal arm of
Tyonek and which, prior to December 18, 1971 {the date ANCSA was enacted)
control led the lands wi thin the former Moquawki e Indian Reserve under a
trust relationship with the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian
Affairs. On December 18, 1971, this Reserve was aboli shed by Section 19
of ANCSA, and the lands came under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department
of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. The Tyonek Native Corporation
succeeded to the rights of the surface estate of the Reserve under tenns
4"·38
·;.)
v.)
~
~
of ANCSA that had been enjoyed by the Village Council. The Village
Council will own lands under reconveyance provisions of Section 14(c) ,,of
ANCSA. The council also is responsible for management of sUbstantial
business interests for the tribal membership.
The official title of the IRA Tribal Council for Tyonek is 11 Village
Council of the Native Village of Tyonêk, Inc." The Council has nine
members composed of three officers and six council members. Members are
elected annually with staggered terms of office.
Because the village of Tyonek was located on the Moquawkie Indian Reserva-
tion, Section l9{b) of ANCSA came into play. This section of the Settlè-
ment Act provides for an election· of its members to decide whether to
retain the Indian Reserve and receive the surface and subsurface estate to
the reserve or to opt for benefi ts of ANCSA. Tyonek Native Corporation
voted for the provisions of ANCSA. Had they taken the former reserve, the
village would have received fee simple title (bath surface and subsurface
estates) to 26,918.56 acres of land compared to the 115,200 acres of
surface lands they are to receive under their ANCSA entitlement.
Native Lands Subject to Reconveyance
Following are the conditions in ANCSA under which lands conveyed to Tyonek
Native Corporation are to be reconveyed to others:
1. The Tyonek Native Corporation, upon receipt of patent to land which
is occupied as a primary place of residence, a primary place of
business, or as a subsistence camp site, must reconvey to any Native
or non-Native occupant, without cast, title to the land they occupy;
? . Next, the Tyonek Native Corporation must convey to the occupant
either without cost o.r upon payment of an amount not in excess of
fair market value (determined as of the date of initial occupancy and
wi thout regard to any improvements thereon) title to the surface
estate of any tract occupied by a non-profit organization;
4-39
3. Then the Tyonek Native Corporation sha11 convey to any municipal
corporation fn the Native V ill age or to the State in trust for any
municipal corporation established in the Native Village in the
future, title to the remaining surface estate of the improved land as
i s necessary for canmuni ty exp ans ion, an appropria te rights-of-way
for public use, and thei r foreseeable community needs, provided that
. the amou nt of land to be transferred .to the muni ci pal corporation or
in tru$t shall be no less than 1,280 acres;
4. The Tyonek Native Corporation shall convey to the Federal Government,'
State or to the appropriate municipal corporation title to the
surface estate for existing airport sites, airway beacons, and other
navigational aids, together with such additonal acreage and/or
easemen'ts as are necessary to provide rel ated services .and to insu re
safe approaches to airport runways; and
5. ·For a period of ten years after the date of enactment of ANCSA
(December 18, 1971), the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. shall be afforded
the opportunity to review and render advice to Tyonek Nat1ve
Corporation on all land sales, leases or other transactions prior to
any final commitment. This last provision has been construed py sorne
to mean that the regional corporation is not required to review or
advise; only that the Village Corporation must afford the Regional
Corporation that opportunity.
As of June 15, 1978, in Interim Conveyance 87, Tyonek Native Corporation,
received title to 26,917.56 acres, all of U.S. Survey 1965 (the fonner
Moquawkie Indian Reserve) except for lands needed for U.S. Coast Guard
navigation aid AA-14290.
Tyonek Native Corporation has rema ined ad amant in i ts refusal to accept
easements across their lands, particularly on the fonner Moquawkie Indian
Reservation.
4-40
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Lands
In most areas of the State, the mechanisms in the Alaska Native Clairos
Set tl ement Act for the selection of land entitl ement by Native regional
and village corporations worked reasonably well. Within the Cook Inlet
Region, Inc. (CIRI) area, however, this was not the case and severe
difficulties arase. The State of Alaska centered most of its early land
selections under the Statehood Act in the area within the geographie
boundaries of the Cook Inlet Region which includes Anchorage, the State's
largest city with over one half the entire population of the State. The
land selected by and patented ta the State were the law 1ying plains and
coastal areas where the Cook Inlet Native villages were located. Thus
before the passage of ANCSA, most of the traditional lands surrounding the
villages of the Region were granted to the State. There was little
appropriate land for selection by CIRI and the village corporations within
the region.
The leadership of CIRI .refused to accept the mountains and glaciers the
Secretary of Interior set aside for the region to select. After two years
of negotiating with the Secretary of Interior, CIRI brought suit in
Federal Court seeking to inval idate prior selections by the State of
Alaska in an effort ta make adequate land available to the corporation for
selection. The Federal District Court ruled against the corporation sa an,
appeal was lodged by the Region before the U.S. Court of Appeals.
In arder to settle the lawsuit and the underlying problems of insufficient
Federal land available for the Native selection in the Cook Inlet Region,
a three party agreement was negotiated. In essence, the U.S. agreed to
make other lands available to the State of Alaska in return for conveyance
to the U.S. by the State of certain lands it had ownership of in
designated areas of the Cook Inlet Region. Cook Inlet Region, Inc. would
then choose a portion of its entitlement. The balance of CIRI's
entitlement would come from other Federal lands throughout the State. The
intention of the agreement was not only to end the 1 awsuit, but al so to
serve the additional purpose of allowing more rational land ownership
pat~erns for all three parties.
4-41
On January 2, 1976, the United States Congress, in Public Law 92-204~
di rected the Secretary of Interior to ratify the agreement and the A1as·ka
State LegiSlature ratified the agreement in March, 1976. Before the
ratification by the State Legislature, however, a lawsuit was filed
challenging the constitutionality of the State's participation in thé
conveyance to CIRI, based largely on the value of the Beluga coal lands.
This del ayed the implementation of the exchange agreement. After losing
in the Superior Court, the Alaska Supreme Court decided in favor of the
land exchange in February 1977. However, this did not end the challenge
as the plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case.
Finally, in July 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an arder refusing' to
hear the case, effectively removing the cloud of uncerta inty from the
agreement.
Prior to implementing the exchange agreement, Cook Inl et Regi on, Inc. went
back to Congress seeking to remedy the 18 month delay resulting from the
lawsuit challenging the land exchange. This remedial legislation was
passed by the U. S. Congress in November 1977 and the Corporation i s
finally on the threshhold of implementing the land exchange and selecting
the enti tl ement originally guaranteed by ANCSA.
Und er the land exchange, CI RI i s to ob tain pa te nt to the su rf ace and
subsurface estate of approximately 1.23 mill ion acres of land .. Iri
addition, it receives a subsurface to another 1.15 million acres of land,
the surface of which is either patented to the village corporations or is
within the Kenai National Moose Range.
Village Corporations Associated with CIRI
Within the geographie boundaries of the Cook Inlet Region, Inc., which
extend from Seldovia in the south, almost to Mt. McKinley in the north,
there are eight village corporations: Alexander Creek, Chickaloon,
Eklutna, Knik (called Knikatnu by the Villagers}, Ninilchik, Salamatoff,
Sel dovia, . and Tyonek. Six of these village corporations have been
officially certified under provisions of ANCSA while. the eiigibil ity of
4-42
.,.,
\
·,_; Alexander Creek and Salamatoff is being challenged in a U.S. Court of
Appeal s. Un der the tenns of ANCSA, the v ill age corporations will receive
patent to approximately 930,000 acres of surface lands, with the title to
the subsurface estate remaining with Cook Inlet Region, Inc. The acreage
received by the Village Corporations is based on the number of
stockholders who traced the ir heritage back to a v ill age and enrolled to a
village corporation. Approximately 6,000 Eskimos, Indians, and Aleu.ts
have enrolled to Cook Inlet Region, making it the fifth largest Native
regional corporation. CIRI is the only regional corporation whose
stockhol ders are for the most part residents of devel oped urban a reas.
Nearly half of their shareholders (about 2,800 individuals) live in
Anchorage, about two-thirds (4,000 individuals) 1 ive within the Region,
and about one-quarter of the total (1,460 indiviuals) live outside the
S ta te of Alaska .
Land Exchange Overview
~._) Under the tenns of the Cook Inlet Exchange, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. will
receive an enti tlement of approximately 63 townships (a township equals
23,040 acres) of land in numerous locations throughout the State. Within
its regional boundaries, situated on bath sides of Cook Inlet in South.;.
central Alaska, Cook Inlet Region will receive lands from bath the State
of Alaska and the Federal Government.
1,_
Within thei r regional boundaries, Cook In let Region, Inc. will select.
476,440 acres of land fran six separate pools established by the State'of
Alaska. Cook Inlet Region's respective acreage entitlement from these
pools is as follows:
1. Kenai Pool 115,200 acres
2. Beluga Pool 311 ,040 acres
3. Knik-Willow Pool 4,480 acres
4. Pt. McKenzie Pool 3,200 acres
5. Kashwi tna Pool 38,040 acres
6. Chickaloon Pool 4,480 acres
4-43
\
By far the largestt the Beluga Pool (see Figure 4-3) was made available.to ~.,..~
the Region by the State of Alaska because of its very large e.Oal
resources. The west tier of townships and the north tier of townships is
not included in this study of the Beluga Coal District.
Because of population pressures and inadequate lands for selection within
the boundaries of Cook Inlet Region, Inc., the land exchange had to
provide a mechanism for 1and selections outside the Region' s boundaries.
This mecha~ism also had to serve the goal of ensuring Cook Inlet Regton,
Inc.'s full entitlement as contemplated by ANCSA. Rights to land outside
their regional boundaries include the Region's right to select
approximately 545,000 acres of land, which will more than likely come from
within a pool establ ished within the boundaries of five other Native
Regions: Ahtna, Bristol Bay, Calista, Chugach, and Doyon. Cook Inlet
Region also has the right to select lands within the boundaries of the
other six regional corporations with their consent.
Beluga Pool Selections
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. has selected all of the lands in the Beluga Pool
and expects conveyance of all except T.l4N., R.15W. The northern half>·of
that township covering the central part of Capps Glacier was not State
land and should not have been set aside initially in the State's Beluga
Pool.
Because the Beluga Gas Field subsurface and the Nikolai Gas Field sub-
surface were both excluded in the exchange agreement, Cook Inlet Region
expects to receive only the surface estate to the affected land located in
T.12 & 13N., R.lOW. (Beluga Gas Field) and T.llN., R.l2W. (Nikolai Gas
Field). Land selected by the Kenai Peninsula Borough in T.l2N., R.lOW.
and land selected by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in T.14N., R.lO & llW.;
T.15N., R.lOW., and T16N., R.13W. are available to CIRI for the subsurface
only. The surface estate will go to the two boroughs. Inasmuch as there
is roore subsurface estate ava.ilable to CIRI from the Boroughs' lands than
there is surface available, due to the gas fields' exclusion, there is an
imbalance in CIRI 's selections. In an effort to select · their full.
entitlement .of 311,040 acres, CIRI has selected somewhat more surface than
4-44
·~
\~
'""-'
TtGN
' ·-''-l .,."',-: --r -· -,-
t/1/,..;.l 1
'l' F ~~.
----~-+--~-
'"'
i '
.. ·--·r ---
1
r 1
1 ~ _j !
1 . ,;, .! i ----~;·~;;;;;;-,~·.-~· î
' 1 1 '
1
"1''',' 1 ---·---·------·1
Tl5cN j ', t. '
. /,·'·, 1 '•., '•
1
1 1 ~-
1
1
t(!~Hll
TJ4N t"'
1
~"''
--. --~· .. ·-·· '.:'
l>''
''1 7
<;:'~
1
)p )' ·1 ,?11_,_,.~----r;:--.. -----.......... Il 1 ... "~;,''
lt ... ., "'~.: .J ... • "1':
T 13N 1 ~-:·' "'111' ·"'l!.n
·-~-----
RI6W
i 't
1
1 •1
1
1 ___ .::..,,..1115.....-v '<~ . r.:--\ .
1
L ..
1 t''" ·! 1 ... '
J : /;•' ).. "fi
1......... ... ... __,"",...).""'""'
1 1 ·•
1 "'"' ,,,,,, -.) 1· 1 ...... ' ,,, ..... !. ~' '"'t ···'"'; .... ,,.,.../
·,,
~~~~~~~~~~~--il.·
r ,· .. , .. _,_ ., ~, t.·,,' .. 1 .
'111.!1,.1·1 """'--~"1'
: 1 ;"·
RI5W
1 / ~~.T~.,, ......... l'
'~"JI
., 1 1
1
Rl4W RI3W RI2W
FIGURE 4-3
COOK INLET REGION, INC.
BELUGA POOL SELECTIONS
12/16/1977 ~
RllW RtoW
\\ ,. (\
Priori ty 1
Subsurface
Surface
LS\:9
t7ZZJ
Pri ority 3 & 4 I l ·
In-Lieu Subsurfacei J
and Surface
Priority 2
Estimated wîthin
Entitlement
I : l -Priority 4
In-Lieu Surface 1= = ~
Excluded from Selections
Note: See Appendix G for September 7, 1978 legal notice of Division of
lands proposed conveyance of Beluga .Pool Lands. Most Priority 1
lands had been conveyed as of June 10, 1980.
Source: Margie Sagerser, Land Manager, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., June
1978.
4-45
y,
subsurface in T.16N., R.14W. The above lands are considered the first ·~
priority for selection: the subsurface and surface estates that are
severed, as well as most all the other townships, except T.14N., R.l5W.
and T.16N., R.14W. (See Figure 4-3.) These selections exclude Beluga Lake
and Lower Beluga Lake, and the Section of the Beluga River running between
the lakes. They also exclude U.S. Survey 3970, which protects Power Site
Classification 395 (April 22, 1948) for potential hydroelectric
development at Chakachamna Lake and Chakachatna River.
Priority two lands are located in T.16N., R.14W. and the south half of
T.14N., R.15W., the latter township possibly being over CIRI•s entitle-
ment. The easternmost portion of T.'l6N., R.l4W. is identified as priority
three and priori ty four and is probably within CIRI • senti tl ement. Cook
Inlet Region shows the western half of T.l6N., R.l4W. as 11 In-Lieu surface
and subsurface estate 11 which would replace severed estates that were ·not
available in their priority one identifications. Priority four In-Lieu of
surface extends into the most · southwesterly corner of the same township.
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. filed their selection application for the Beluga
Pool February 16, 1978 with the State Division of Lands. Following this,
the process will go through five steps: (1) Alaska Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Lands, Planning and Classification Section will
review the selections for third party rights, other interests and so
fourth, (2) State Agencies review, (3) Public Notice persuant to
AS 38.05.305 and 38.05.345 requirements, {4) the State conveys .a Deed of
Title to the United States Department of Interior, (5) Cook Inlet Region,
Inc. receives conveyance from the United States under the terms of ANCSA.
The Secretary of Interior has 60 days upon acceptance of the State Deed of
Title to issue conveyance, wi thout adjudication, to Cook Inl et Region.
Conveyance of the Beluga Pool Land to CIRI is subject to any lawful
reservations of r1ghts or conditions contained in the State conveyance as
provided by the Tenns and Conditions document ( see Append ix 4-A). Patent·
to Cook Inlet Region, Inc. could follow as soon as the land survey is
. approved. W1thin two years after initial cdnveyance, the Secretary of
Interior is authorized to identify and reserve any easement he could have
' 4-46
··~
-">~
·v.J
"'-'
lawfully reserved before conveyance. A revised conveyance is to be
issued, reflecting such reservations, subject to the agreement of January
18, 1977 between the Secretary of Interior, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. and
sorne of the associated villages in the Region. The Secretary of Interior
may start to identify and reserve easements before the State Deed of Title
has been received but to do so is not to affect the prompt issuance of
conveyance to CIRI by the Secretary of Interior (Public Law 95-178,
November 15, 1977).
Of course, all valid exi sting rights to coal prospecting pennits (Table
4-10), coal leases (Table 4-11), oil and gas leases, mineral leases, etc.
are protected under tenns of the exchange. The State issued a Mineral
Closing Order to stop any more prospecting permits fran being issued
wi thin the Beluga Pool Area, and there has been a moratorium on the
transfer of prospecting permits to lease.
However, in May 1978, the State Department of Natural Resources met with
industry representatives in an effort to define what is meant by "mining
plan" and "commercial quantities" as used in the coal prospecting pennits
so that the State could formal ize those definitions. It is noL known
whether the Department of Natural Resources will take a hard or soft line
relative to the conversion of coal prospecting permits to coal leases in
the Beluga land exchange area. Most of the prospecting pennits will
expire this summer (1978).
The attitude of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. about rights-of-way across its
lands, is quite different than that of Tyonek Native Corporation•s. While
the Tyonek Native Corporation is opposed to all rights-of-way and
easements, the Region i s not parti cul arly concerned about them. They
recognize that in arder to remove the natural resources, such as the coal,
easements must be made available.
4-47
TABlE 4-10
COAL PROSPECTING PERMITS
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
EFFECTIVE DATE NOVEMBER 1, 1979
Date
1 ssued ADl De sc ri pt ion Name Total Acres
.55604 T 12N, RllW SM Starkey Wilson 3,840±
Tenninated Sec. 6: All
T l2N, R12W All
Sec. 1: A11
11! All
12: All
13: All
14: A11
10/l/72 58472 T 12N! RllW SM Locke Jacobs 5,120±
Tenninated Sec. 1: All
2: All
.f:::o 3: All 1
.f:::o 4: All co 9: All
10: All
11 : All
12: All
9/18/72 58473 T l2N, RllW SM locke Jacobs 4,960
Tenninated Sec. 13: All
14: All excl. USS 4546
15: All
16: All
21: AlJ
22: All
23: All excl. USS 4546
24: All
(,
Date
I ssued ADL Description Name Total Acres
10/l/72 58475 T 12N, RllW SM Locke Jacobs ,3, 762. 35±
Terminated Sec. 5: All
7: All
8: All
17: Al1
18: A11
19: All excl. USS 1865
20: A11 excl. USS 4547
24: All
10/6/72 58690 T .12N, RllW SM Locke Jacobs to 1,012.56±
Terminated Sec. 25: All excl. USS 1865 American Metal
26: All excl. USS 1865 Climax, Inc.
27: All excl. USS 1865
.t:> 28: All excl. USS 1865
1 29: All excl. USS 1865 .t:>
\0
7/1/75 67814 T l6N, R7W SM Mobil Oil Corp. 4,437±
* Sec. 6: All
T l6N, RBW SM
Sec. 1 : All
T l7N, R7W SM
Sec. . 31: All
T 17N, R8W SM
Sec. 24: A 11
25: A 11
26: All
36: All
~
1
(,Tl
0
Date
Issued ADL OescdpHon Name
7/1/75 67815 l 17ft. RBW SM Mobjl Oil Corp.
* Sec. 4: All
,-.5: All
6: All
T l8N, R8W SM
Sec. 31: All
7 !l/75 67816 T 17N, RSW SM Mobi1 Oil Corp.
* Sec. 9: All
10: All
14: All
15: All
16: AH
22: All
23: All
TOTAL
TERMINATED: The Pennits were preceded or superseded by Cook In let Native Corporation cl aims.
Pending land status resolution; these pennits are considered suspended pennit
applications.
* Not within area mapped in figure.
Total Acres
2,538±
4,480±
-30~T50A±
Source: Alaska Division of Minerals and Energy Management, Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
Contact: Robert Sanders, January 24, 1980.
( (
c
TABLE 4-11
COAL LEASES
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
(EFFECTIVE DATE NOVEMBER 1, 1979)
Date Total
Issued A rea Royalty ADL Description Name Acres
l/13/65** Beluga .05 25060 T 13N, RlOW SM Al bert E. Slone 80±
Sec. 7: w~~
l/l/71 Beluga .10 33795 T 12N, R13W SM Beluga Coal Co. 3,360±
Sec. 1 : Wl2
2: All
3: N~,SE~
T 13N, Rl3W SM
.J::> Sec. 34: All
1 35: All 01 ..... 36: All
4/18/72 Beluga . 10 36282 T 13N, R13W SM Beluga Coal Co. 3,560±
Sec. 22: SE~,~NE~,·
N~S~,
~sw~
23: All
24: All
25: All
26: All
27: All
5/10/72 Beluga .10 36911 T 13N, R12W SM Bass Trust Estate 3,833±
Sec. 19: All to Cloonan & Gibbs
20: All
21 : All
28: All
29: All
30: All
Date Total
Issued --A rea Royalty ADL Description Name Acres
5/10/72 Beluga •. 10 36913 T 13N, Rl2W SM Bass Trust Estate . 5, 120±
Sec. 14: All to Cloonan & Gibbs
15: All
22: All
23: All
24: All
26: A11
27: All
34: All
5/10/72 Beluga .10 36914 T l3N, Rl2W SM Bass Trust Estate 3,520±
Sec. 25: All to Cloonan & Gibbs
35: All
.f,>o 36: All
1
01 T l2N, Rl2W SM 1 f'.)
S~c. 2: All
3: All
10: N~
5/10/72 Beluga .10 37002 T 13N, R12W SM Bass Trust Estate 5,058±
Sec. 31: All to Cloonan & Gibbs
32: All
33: All
T 12N, R13W SM
Sec. l : ~
T 12N:z Rl2W SM
Sec. 4~ All
5: All
6: All
7: N~
8: Nl.z
9: N~
(.
(
Date Total Issued A rea Royalty ADL Description Name Acres
ll/13/72 Beluga . 10 37471 T 12N, Rl2W SM Beluga Coal Co. 2,966±
Sec. 7: 5!2
8: SW\
17: ~
18: All
19: N\
20: NW\
T 12N, $13W SM
Sec. 12: E12
13: E\.SW\
24: N~ 4/18/72 Beluga .10 56982 T 12N 2 Rl3W SM Beluga Coal Co. 3,960±
.J:::> Sec. 3: SW\ 1 4: N~,SE\ U'1 w 5: N~
10: N~
11: N~
12: NW\
T 13N, Rl3W SM
Sec. 28: All
29: ~.NE\,S~NW\
30: E~E\
32: N~~,SE\NE\,
E~EJ4
33: All
7/l/78 Beluga .20 59502 T l2N, Rl2W SM Starkey Wilson 3,040±
Sec. 8: SE\ Bass Trust Estate
9: s~ W. H. Hunt
10: ~
15: All
16: All
17: Ela
20: NE\ 21 : ~ 22: NW%
~ l~
Date Total
Issued A rea Royalty AOL Description Name Acres
5/l/79 Beluga .35 62403* T 23N, Rl4W SM Mobil Oil Corp. 2,080±
Sec. 6: SWJ.i,S~~
7: 5!2 , NWJ.i , Wl--:aN EJ.i
18: All
19: All
5/1/79 Beluga .35 62404* T 23N, Rl4W SM Mobil Oil Corp. 4,880±
Sec. 30: All
31: .All
32: W~,WJ.a5EJ..4
T 22N 2 Rl4W SM
Sec. 5: All
6: All
_;:,. 7: All
1 8: All U'l
·~ 18: All
5/l/79 Beluga .35 62405* T 22N, Rl4W SM Mobil Oil Corp. 3,080±
Sec. 17: All
19: E~, NWJ.i, E~SW~
20: All
21: sw~,w~WJ..4
28: N~W\
29: AH
30: NEJ..4,NJ.a$E~,
SEJ..4SE~
5/1/79 Beluga .35 62406* T 22N, R14W SM Mobil Oil Corp .. 160±
Sec. 32: N~~
(~~ (
Date Total
Issued A rea Royalty ADL Description Name Acres --
5/1/79 Beluga .35 62407* T 21N, R13W SM Mobil Oil Corp. 3,360±
Sec. 19: All
20: SW~WJ..i,SWJ..i,
SW\SEJ..i
29: All
30: EJa,E~NWJ..i,
NW~NWJ..i
31: EJa,SEJ..iNWJ..i
32: All
T 21N, R14W SM
Sec. 24: E~,E~WJ..i
5/l/79 Beluga .35 62408* T 20N Rl4W SM Mobil Oi1 Corp. 3,600±
~ Sec • f 2 : El--aN El4 , SWJ..i
1 13: EJa,NWJ..i,E~SWJ..i 01
01
T 20N, Rl3W SM
Sec. 5: W2
6: All
7: AH
8: Wl2
17: NWJ..i,W~SWJ..i
18: All
5/l/79 Beluga .35 62409* T 20N, Rl3W SM Mobil Oïl Corp. 3,520±
Sec. 19: All
30: All
31: All
T 20N, Rl4W SM
Sec. 23: E~SEJ..i
24: All
25: All
26: E~NEJ..i,SE!.i
Date Total
Issued A rea Royalty ADL Description Name Acres
5/l/79 Beluga . 35 62410* T 20N, Rl4W SM Mobil Oil Corp . 2,400±
Sec. 35: E~,E~SV%
36: N~NW~,NE1li,
E!a$~
T 19N, R13W SM
Sec. 35: E!a,E~SW~
36: NJ#IW~, N E1li,
E~El4
T 19N, Rl4W SM
Sec. l: ~,S~N~,NE'li
12: NE~84
..f:>o 5/l/79 Beluga .35 64560* T 18N, Rl2W SM Meadowlark Fanns 800± 1
U1 Sec~ 6: All 0"1 7: NWJ.4
5/l/79 Upper Beluga .35 64596* T 19N, Rl3W SM Meadowl a rk Fa nns 1,600±
Lake Sec. 34: All
35: s~,NV%
36: s~
T 19N, R12W SM
Sec. 31: sw~
5/1/79 Upper Beluga .35 64598* T 18N, R13W Sf1 Meadowl ark Fa nns 1,480±
Lake Sec. 1 : All
2: N~,SE~,NE~SW~
3: NE~
12: NE~
lO/l/76 Beluga • 15 79816 T l3N, .RllW SM· Beluga Coal Company 3,840±
Sec. 22: All
23: All
26: All
27: All
34: All
35: All
(_ (
-"""
.J:>o
1
0'1
-.....!
Date
Issued
3/1/76
A rea
Beluga
Roya 1 ty ·· ADL
.15 309744
( forrnerly
* Not within area mapped in Figure.
** No rental paid since l/13/73-1/13/74.
Description
T 13N, RlOW SM
Sec. 6: N~,s~
T 13N, RllW, SM
Sec. 1: E~~,NE~,S~
12: All ·
13: ~,sw~
Name
Elton to Stabia
TOTAL
Source: Division of Minera1s and Energy Management, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Robert Sanders, January 27, 1980 .
Total
Acres
2,310.5±
67,607.5±
(
The revenues produced from development of Cook Inlet Region, Inc.•s
subsurface esta te, whether it be the subsurface of v ill age lands or. the
subsurface involved in the land exchange, will be subject to Section 7(i)
of ANCSA. This section mandates the sharing of 70 percent of the revenues
received from the timber resources and subsurface estate patented to the
regional corporations. Sevency percent will be divided annually by each
regi anal corporation among the other el even regi on al corporations
.according to the number of Natives in each region.
BOROUGH LANDS
The Beluga Coal District lies astride of the boundary separating the Kenai
Peninsula Borough on the South from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough on the
north. Although most of the district lies within the Kenai Peninsula
Borough, there are important jurisdictional matters affecting bath
boroughs, partfcularly relating to land use, zoning, energy transmission
and other transportation issues as well as taxing authority. ~either
. ·l
<;;,J
Borough has zoned any land in the Beluga Coal District, so presently the ·~
1 ands are des ignated 11 Unrestricted •11
Bath Boroughs are al so land owners in the di strict where a portion of
their entitlement of ten percent of the State land within their.boundaries
has been selected by the Boroughs.
OTHER PRIVATE (NON-NATIVE LANDS)
Private non-Native land ownership is minimal so far as the extent of
acreage is concerned. Interests in the subsurface. estate, on the other
hand, have. major privately held rights, for oil .and gas leases and coal
prospecting permits and leases. Affected Native lands acquired as a
result of the S.ettlement Act are subject to any valid existing rights
according to Section 14{g) of ANCSA. Appendix 4-B shows the U.S. Surveys
in the Beluga Coal Di strict and incl udes bath Native and non-Native lands
and, for the most part, describes lands acqu1red by townsh.ips. and ranges.
4-58
,...;
·1..,._ LAND TENURE AND COAL DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY RESOURCES
Land tenure plays a major role in development and is critical to the coal
development in the Beluga Coal District: the configuration of lands and
ownership of the energy resources, the availability of transportation
routes across the land for roads and railroads; energy transmission,
,including electric power transmission, oil and gas pipelines, coal slurry
pi pel ines, airports and docks and water transport; permanent settlement
sites; the ownership of the commodities needed for developme.nt, such as
water and gravel, as well as which lands may limit development because of
incompatible land use, ownership problems or other characteristics.
The State of Alaska and the Cook Inlet Region, !ne. are the two major
owners of the energy resources of the area. Those resources are
substanti al. They include depos i ts of oil and gas, and coal ons ho re and
offshore of Upper Cook Inlet, several undeveloped hydroelectric sites, and
possibly uranium deposits. Oil and gas leases and coal prospecting leases
and coal leases are held by several individuals and companies (Table 4~10,
Table 4-11 and Figure 4-4). The leases are on State land --sorne of which
CIRI will be receiving under the land exchange. Section 14(g) of ANCSA
protects val id exi sting rights to leases on 1 and conveyed to the Natives
as follows:
All conveyances made pu rsuant to this Act shall be subject to ·
val id existing rights. Where, prior to patent of any land or
minerals under this Act, a lease, contract, pennit,
right-of-way, or easement ( including a lease i ssued under
section 6{g) of the Alaska Statehood Act) has been issued for
the surface or mineral s covered under su ch patent, the patent
shall contain provisions making it subject to the lease,
contract, penni t, right-of-way, or easement, and the right of
the lessee, contractee, penni ttee, or gran tee to the complete
enjoyment of all rtghts, privileges, and benefits thereby
granted to him. Upon issuance of the patent, the patentee shall
succeed and become enti tled to any and all interests of the
State or the United States as lessor, contracter, pennitter, or
grantor, in any such leases, contracts, permits, rights-of-way,
4-59
,".-·" \~~rr _, .:· _,_ · ~ ·r <4 9 l--~-"-w~~q ~~f
-----r ~~r---~~ -<~-~ -[r~~·~: ·---<(
\
\ ) ·Undr.g ---,.J _+ ~ '
\./''--;.. d "''"' Y"'t'St• P i -~ c-J .
.,._-;.:.,,G-""'-" _,_\~ _ _____, __ . ~} c::;= . >?-: .;} -~~p Alexani
;:1· 'o"~~;·t-:-~=:·_·;:~·)_(fc, -~:..::_:=":.
~0
~~ ,j%
~-( +--:\ -. ~':::/ 1 ~ n . ~~.,
;~f::-< .·•
.. ~-::.o· \_,
~J"~ . ~"c~~1( .
. --~-1
.,.
-$.~
·J~~~'55
="-.-t··. -:·:,;
· · LjJu·rl-Beluga
2.0 .-~-e
··1' -;~_:f·~-
-~-
1 0 .. ,_ ' ·.: ------'· . ~?J!~{ }-,""~~ -i ~~j;'~-t1'~-~-, ·B.i.,hop >-1.~"-"-·'·--y, -~J-_;6;~t~ :· Cl',... .. ~--~·" . .. ·""" r r r;;~-
ô--· ·~. 4.?' . __ '---''3: '·1. ~;;_: -'i c~o-;. ';; -__ .'f·' :~ .. -::•~· ·: -'·· . . ~ • ~· () '!,Po / r-'7\ ~ · •'•. -.. ·-/ '.. "2_9:Dlf!t. 'lÎ.fké··-., ·
. ' ;o., r~~ '' ~L<:";'!' ."'--:-.
, ca ~-~--<=--.
{ _"' _ -~.SlmL"
e-l ~ _,_;
-. _Y,,'\ -.;_._ ~~ T
). -.;. :<V.. ~-·. "y--~~-'--1 -fL.--..r
-._,.-.{; .· v-. . j:,
-:§>__.
.&<!> .p
0/Q. ·.
t
• ê7
t .C:4 ~<Yz[fr{!i:{l. ::ft4o7·
R. 14 (_,.~
0 -" "" "'~
R. 13 W.
· / + .. . -~;J _ '· J: :O{}~~:K~:~~ :~;%J7î?
·r Ci~ -1)~--, TT'YONE.Kl' ·... .".~landingStrip ~-, ,l.f)J . . _ . a~ na ! ?.., -: · -ç •• _ ;:;·nr
;,è·~~ ~ -· · Çàke i ~.i--0 -" .l:iùnk~?Tyonek
,< 1 -o : "'e~, . __ . Laké;·
.f "'-n:ID-_IAN RJ'. _S'ER_ '~'_'_At_ 'ION_' ._ .. 1 _ l. . :V,. ·· -~c?~ •••. North Foreland ~ ._ ~--" 1 _.,. '. -~--~->:: . -~-.t-;;-:•. L1ght
· Old TyofWk~,, •.ê:': · .,.,., Tobona
. ··.·,}:~~~
; 1 !\
Granite Pt
(
.''W.
,':;-.''/
l
FIGURE 4-4
COAL LEASES AND
COAL PROSPECTING PERMITS
BULUGA COAL DISTRICT
Source: Alaska Division of
Natural Resources, November 1, 1979
v
./ :"
~.-·.,.
--~.1-· ,._
;~
DJ
-.:.1 -·;_.j
\~
~1
\;
R. 1D W 151'
0~
0 c ·.
.:/
/ ...
;'
/
/~
"'-~~~~~-
or easements covering the estate patented, and a lease issued.
under section 6(g) of the. Alaska Statehood Act shall be treated
for all purposes as though the patent had been issued to the
State. The administration of such lease, contract, permit,
right-of-way, or easement shall conti nue to be by the State or
the United States, unless the agency responsible for
administration waives administration. In the ~vent that the
patent does. not cover all of the land embraced within any such
1 ease, con tract, penni t, right-of-way, or easement, the patentee
shall only be en ti tled to the proportiona te amou nt of revenues
reserved under su ch lease, con tract, penni t, right-of-way, or
easement by the State or the United States which results from
mul tiplyi ng the total of su ch revenues by a fraction in which
the numerator is the acreage of such lease, contract, permit,
right-of-way, or easement wh ich i s incl uded in the patent and
the denominator is the total acreage contained in such lease,
contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement.
Coal Prospecting Permits
A coal prospecting permit allows the pennittee to determine the existence
or workability of coal deposits in an unclaimed and undeveloped area. The
permit is valid for two years and each permit may include up to 5,120
acres. If within the period of two years, the permittee shows that the
land contains coal in canmercial quantities and submits a satisfactory
mining plan for coal . recovery, the permittee can obtain a lease. A coal
prospecting permit may be extended for a period of two years if the
penni ttee can provide ad'equate rea sons ( regulated by the Department of
Natural Resources).
The Mobil Oil Corporation holds coal prospecting permits for 11,455 acres
in the northern Beluga area (Table 4-10 and Figure 4-4).
Coal Leases
There are 67,607 .s acres in the Beluga District presently subject to coal
lease according · to the State Division of Minerals and Energy Management
(Table 4-11). The largest lessee in the area near Tyonek is the Beluga
Coal Company. This joint venture by Starkey A. Wilson, Richard D. Bass,
and W. Herbert Hunt leases 17,·686 acres. The next major holder is Cloonan
4-61
& Gibbs, with 17,531 acres. On May 1, 1979, Mobil Oil Corporation and
Meadowlark Fanns requi red leases in the Beluga vicini ty respectively
totaling 23,080 and 3880 acres.
The lessee must pay a royalty to the State for the mining or extraction of
coal in the lands covered by lease. The royalty rates are effective for a
period of 20 years. The royalty cannat be less than 5~ per 2,000 pounds
(short ton). An annual rental cannot be less than 25t per acre for the
first year·, not less than SOt per acre for years 2 through 5, and not less
than $1.00 per acre thereafter for the duration of the lease. The rental
rate is to be revaluated at 20 year intervals.
Coal leases run for an undetennined period of time, conditional upon the
continued development and/or operation of a mine. Coal lease contracts can
be assignable, upon the approval ·of the Director of the Division of Lands,
· by the lessee .subject to the laws and regula ti ons applicable to the lease.
CoaT leases are divicled into leasing tracts of 40 acres each or multiples
of 40 acres, and in a fonn which will permit the economical mini,ng of coal
in the tract. The maximum amount of state land that one party may hàld
under coal lease is limited tq a total of 46,080 acres, with up to 5,120
acres of additional land (in multiples of 40 acres) if sufficient reason
is shawn. to warrant the granting of the extra land.
Oil and Gas Leases
The Department of Natural Resources, through the Division of Lands, is au-
thorized to lease subsurface oil and gas resources on a competitive and
noncanpetitive basis. All lands in the public domain are open for oil
and/or gas exploration and development. The provisions of the
Miscellaneous Land Use Penni t apply to surface ail and gas rel ated
activity on State lands where no lease has been issued. In addition, the
State, under provisions of the Alaska Land Act, reserves rights to all
subsurface gas and oil resources on lands disposed for any other purpose.
4-62
v
11 The legislature may preside for the leasing of, and the issuance of
permits for exploration of, any part of the public domain or interE!st
the rein, subject to reasonable concurrent uses" (State of Alaska Consti-
tution, Article VIII, Section 8).
"Subject to the pr:ovisions of this section, the legislature may provide
for the sale or grant of state lands, or interests therein, and establish
sales procedures. All sales or grants shall contain such reservations to
the State of all re sources as may be requi red by Congress or the State and
shall provide for access to these resources" (State of Alaska
Constitution, Article VIII, Section 9).
11 Surface uses of land by a mineral claimant shall be limited to those
necessary for the extraction or basic processi ng of the mineral deposits,
or for bath" (State of Alaska Constitution, Article VIII, Sectton 11).
"Leases and permits giving the exclusive right of exploration for these
mineral s for specifie periods and areas, subject to reasonable concurrent
ex;ploration as to different classes of minerals, may be authorized by law"
(State of Alaska Constitution, Article VIII, Section 12).
The Commissioner of Natural Resources is authorized under AS 38.05.027· to
enter into cooperative resource management or devel opment agreements wi th
other State agencies, Federal agencies, villages, municipal governments
and individuals.
"In addition, AS 38.05.285 requires that disposal and of State lands shall
confonn to the constitution and the principles of multiple purpose use
consistant with public interest. AS 38 .. 05.300 provides that no state
land, water or land and water area shall, except by the act of the state
legislatt,.tre, be closed to multiple purpose use, if the .area contains more
than 640 acres" (U.S. Office of Coastal Zone Management Document Gas and
Oil Leasins) ..
4-63
11 Terms of 1eases are dependent on the kinds of lands leased (competitive
or noncanpetitive) and the status of oil and gas field production. The
term for a competitive lease is 10 years at the Commissioner's [of Natural
Resources] discretion and such leases continue as long as oil and gas is
produced. Noncompetitive leases extend five years, or as long as oil .. and
gas is produced in paying quantities (AS 38.05.180 (a) )11 (U.S. Office of
Coastal Zone Management Document Gas and Oil Leasing).
TRANSPORTATION
LAND
1 n Al as ka, a key to devel opment of any resource is transportation. An
important e 1 eiTJent i s the 1 and sta tus wh i ch ma kes the deve l opme nt of
transportation routes possible. Overland routes for roads, rail roads,
power transmission 1 ines, and pipelines depend .on ri ghts-of-way and
easements. Suitable air corridors and airport lands must be available as
well as sealanes and adequate dock sites. All play a part in the complex
problem of moving goods, supplies and workers to and from the mine site as
well as moving coal from the mines in the Beluga Coal District to markets
elsewhere. Appendix 4-C lists the Right of Way permits for this area.
EASEMENTS ACROSS NATIVE LANDS
One of the thorniest issues of land rights in the Beluga Coal District is ·
that of easements across Native Lands. The Tyonek Native Corporation has
adamantly refused to accept any easements ac ross the ir fonner Moquawki e
Indian Reserve and has al so ta ken a very strong position relative to
easement's ac ross lands they have sel ected north of the reservation. ·
However the Interim Conveyance, I. C. 087, to the ir former Moquawkie lndian
Reserve, contains several easements, at least temporarily set aside by the
Federal government ( see I. C. 087, Appendix E). Judge James· A. von der
Heydt, Federal District Court 1 in Anchorage has rendered a decision jn
J '
Calista et~ al. versus Andrus et. al. 435F.SUPP.664 (Decision Alaska
1977). .
' 4-64
.~
~J
The present controversy. arose over Native objections to Federal demahds
for numerous easements across the lands to be conveyed to them.
(See Volume 1, Chapter 3 of Alaska's Energy Resources, Findings and
Analysis, for a discussion of the nature of the easement dispute.) The
only lands in the Beluga District subject to the settlement of the Ca lista
case are the former Moquawkie Indian Reservation and two-thirds of a
township directly .north of the Reservation.
On March 3, 1978, the Secretary of Interior released his 24-issue policy
guidel ines document on March 3, 1978 which presents· the Federal position
on easements. This document represents the working base fran which the May
25, 1978 proposed U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of land Management
rules on Easements across Native lands were made.
The following discussion summarizes the issues involved in the easement
dispute and describes easements as provided in the interim conveyances
prepared under present BLM policy.
Easements On and Jo the Màrine Coas tl ine
Interim conveyance documents ci te a continuous . 25 foot wide 1 inear
easement along the coastline for purposes of public access and recreation ..
The Secretary 's 24-i ssue poli cy document suggests reducing the continuous
easement to site easements along the coast as appropria te p.oints to
facilitate travel purposes only, such as beaching of water craft.
Specifie uses of periodic coastline easements would be clarified in
revised interim conveyances. Also, a limited number of linear access
easements perpendicul ar to the coast would be reserved to all ow access to.
interior public lands.
Easements On and To Waterways {Rivers, Lakes and Streams)
The present Federal poli cy of re servi ng easements along recreational
rivers and streams is to be, according to the 24-issues policy document,
· restricted to periodic points along 11 major" waterways. Major waterways
4-65
are to be defined by the cri teri a of significant ccmmercial or transpor-
tation use, or significant resource value (including recreation). The use
of these site easements will be 1im1ted to activities related to travel
along the waterway (e.g. beacbing of boats and float planes). Some linear
access easements to "major 11 waterways and to public lands beyond conveyed
Native lands may be reserved.
Transportation and Ut il i ty Corridors and Statu tory Easements
Interim Conveyances re ta in rights-of-way for di tches, canals, telephone
and telegraph li nes and rail roads constructed by the authori ty of the
Fede.ral government. Easement corridors for energy, fuel, and natu~al
resources transportation were al so reserved and incl uded the right, of
eminent domain. The Secretary has revised his policy and will now ask for
no reservations for transportation or ut il i ty corridors nor easements
future ditches, canals, telephone, telegraph and railroad lines unless
they are justifiable, and site· specifie at the time of conveyance.
A tentative, unsurveyed routing of an Alaska Railroad extension to the
Beluga District passes through lands which are a part of the Exchange
Pool. The Terms and Conditions agreement of the Cook Inlet Exchange
requi res the State to convey its lands to the Federal governnent in. the
exchange as they were received, less val id, existing rights (such as
leases, pennits, etc.).
1 ands to the Natives
agreement. The lands
Exchange Agreement.
Native vs. Public Use
In turn, the Federal government is to convey the
involved pursuant to the terms of the Exchange
invol ved in the Exchange i s governed by the Land
In detennining whether a public easement is required over Native lands to
assure access to public lands, the Secretary of Interior' s pol icy is to
not distinguish between Native use and public use. Both "Native" and
"non .. Native" use will be eonsidered public use. Easements will be adopted
4-66
v.J
only, where there is a demonstrated need to cross Native lands, and wh,ere
no reasonable alternate routing exists. 'Access easements would be subje~'t
to use restrictions.
Cut-off Date for Determining Present Use
Decenber 18, 1976, or the date of selection, whichever is later, is the
eut-off date used to determine whether sufficient use exists to warrent an
easement ac ross Native lands for access to other public lands and
resources.
As a result of the Court's decision, the Secretary of Interior has
proposed new rules concerning reservations of public easements on Alaska
Native land selections. In the meantime, the Bu.reau of Land Management
operates under an easement agreement they made with the Native Corpor-
ations whereby the Bureau of Land Management uses the old easement policy.
The BLM plans to confonn the interim conveyances and patents according to
the new regulations. The new regulations were only recently proposed by
the Secretary of Interior; written comments on his proposals to be
received on or be fore June 26, 1978. The agreement wi th the Native
Corporations says, in essence, that the United States of Amedea will·
rel inquish any easements the Court finds illegal and the Native Cor-
porations are to donate any easements which were not reserved in the
conveyance documents, but wh ich the Court finds coul d have been reserved.
So long as the Bureau of Land Management has the consent of the Native
Corporation, to make conveyance subject to the easements in the current
pol icy, the BLM may convey lands. New rule ma king by the Secretary of
Interior could take years to resolve, with conforming Interim Conveyances
or Patents to follow.
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. has not taken a stand opposing easements across
their lands and are not expected to take a hard line opposing them. Under
the tenns and condi tians of the land exchange, the Secretary of Interior
has two years following conveyance in which to identify easements across
Cook Inlet Region lands. (See Appendix 4-A for the Terms and Conditions
segment which affects the Beluga Coal District.)
4-67
STATE HIGHWAY PROPOSAL
The most significant right-of-way in the Beluga Coal District is the
State's Chuitna-Goose Bay Road Right-of-Way Permit (ADL Appl ica ti on No.
57588) for 200 feet on each side of the centerl ine. This. is a proposed
extension of the existing State Highway between Knik and Goose Bay, The
appl ica ti on was fil ed by the State Department of Highways ( now Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities) in June 1972, six months after
Congress approved the Al as ka Native Cl a ims Settl ement Act. Although the
State Division of Lands approved the application, the re i s no indication
that the Tyonek Native Corporation approved it.
The proposed highway alignment starts at approximately the center of the
fonner .Moquawki e Indi an Reservation, and runs northeast toward Goose Bay.
It goes west of Chuitbuna Lake, crosses Three-mile Creek Subdivision,
crosses the Beluga River in Section 8, T.13N., R.lOW., S.M., crosses Olson
Creek, crosses the north and south forks of Pretty Creek, crosses the
Theodore River about four miles west of the Chugach Electric Association
Power Transmission Line and continues northeast. The highway has not been
surveyed in the field, but is identified by section lines and by a metes
and bounds description.
No further action has been taken on the right-of-way pennit application.
To a considerable extent, action must await approval from the Natives
once the Cook Inlet Land Exchange is accomplished since the highway would
cross lands conveyed to the Natives.
ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
Chugach Electric Association presently has electric power transmission
l ines running from the Beluga Gas Fi el d northeast. They cross the Susitna
River and Knik Ann and provide electric power service to the Anchorage
a rea. However, add1tional electric power transmission 1 ines will be
needed if electricity is generated from coal on site. One proposal,
l ~' ;j;l ~
~
suggested by Beluga Coal Company is a loop down the west coast of the '~
In let to crçss between West Farel ands and East Fore lands. to tie into t~e
existing transmission line at Nikiski at North Kenai.
4-68
~ COAL SLURRY PIPELINE
It would appear that construction of a slurry pipeline might face sorne
right-of-way probl ems in the Beluga a rea. In western states, slurry
pipelines are opposed by railroad companies who believe that business
would be lost due to competition presented by the long-range economie
advantages ,of large volume slurry pipelines. So far, railroads have been
able to prevent construction by refusing to grant pi pel ines the right to
cross rail road rights-of-way.
Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to allow slurry
pi.pel ines the right of eminent domain to condemn ra ilway èross ings where
needed. Su ch legi sla ti on has not as yet been successful. Although no
actual ra il road exists in the Beluga District, the Federal government has
reserved a right-of-way for rail roads in the patents which transferred
lands to State ownership. Whether or not this right-of-wa,y constitutes a
blanket easement across the lands, and consequently whether the Alaska
Railroad can object on such grounds to a proposed slurry pipeline routing
over the lands has not been addressed. (Reference C001parative Study of
Coal and Nuclear Generating Options for the Pacifie Northwest.)
OTHER COAL TRANSPORTATION
Routes for coal sl urry pi pel ines, sol id coal conveyor bel ts, or. a
short-haul ra il road fr001 the mine-mouth · to the docks may be needed. Cook ,.
Inlet Region, Inc. as a provision of its land exchange with the State, has
secured a 300 foot unspec1fied location easement running fr001 the Capps,
Glacier Field in T.13N., R.14W., S.M. to the beach at the eastern edg~ of
Trading Bay, T.llN., R12W., S.M. which could be used for these purposes.
Patents issued to the State, as well as to individual s under Federal
public land laws for homesteads, small tracts, trade and manufacturing
sites and so forth have reser~ed to the United States the following
standard reservations:
4-69
1. A righ t-of-way thereon for di tches and canals cons tructed by the
authori ty of the United States, as pre sc ri bed and di rected by
the act of August 30, 1890, 26 Stat. 391; 43 U.S.C. 945; ·
2. A right-of-way thereon for the construction of railroads,
telegraph and telephone lines, as prescribed and directed by the
act of March 12, 1914, 38 Stat. 305; 43 u.s.c. 975d;
The subsurface rights, under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of
December 18, 1971 {85 Stat. 688. 704; 43 U.S.C. 1601, 1613 (Supp.V,
1975,)) belong to the Native corporations. In the case of the Beluga coal
fields these rights belong to the Cook Inlet Native Association. However,
pursuant to section 17(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, sorne
public easements--easement identification letters (EIN) on the easements
map in case file AA-6707-EE are reserved to the United States and subject
to further regulation thereby.
ALASKA RAILROAD
I t appears that the Alaska Rail raad would have 1 i ttl e di ffi cul ty in
securing adequate rights-of-way for new 1 ine construction due to the
blanket easement across most lands in Alaska and on most lands in .the
Beluga Coal District. A possible exception is the Moquawkie Reserve Lands
just north Of the fonner reserve (State tentatively approved land selected
by Tyonek Nat ive Corporation). The standard easement reservations have
been imposed on their I.C. 087 but will undoubtedly be lifted by the
Secretary of Interior after the new rule makiQg has been approved.
TIMBER ROADS
Timber roads cri ss-cross the western part of the Moquawki e Indian Reserve
and 1nto the area to the west containing the 1973 State timber sale. The
4-70
'v.J
~
~
State sol d the timber to Kodi ak Lumber Mill s, Inc. in an effort to _stqp
the spread of the spruce beetle infestation in the trees on the west side
of Cook Inlet. The roads were built to allow removal of the trees whic'h
were chipped near the dock. The chips were transported by ship and
lexported. The status of the timber roads rights-of-way is unknown at this
ti me.
SEISMIC TRAILS
Sei smic trail s al so are visible in the area. These are usually seen as
stra ight 1 ine bru shed-out a reas and were used for sei smic s tu dies to.
determine the oil and gas potential of the region. Presumably, ·no
rights-of-way attach to these brush lines.
SECTION LINE EAS8MENTS
Section line easements of 33 feet on each side of the section line for a
total of 66 feet provide legal access to Federal lands. State lands have
a 50 foot section line easement, 50 feet on each side of the section line.
Although section line easements do not provide access that relates to the
topography--they are, after all, straight line easements--they do,
nonetheless, provide legal access across the land.
Under the autliority of Revised Statutes No. 2477 enacted by Congress in
1866, the Federal government offered to the States and territories a
general Federal grant of a public right-of-way over public lands ''not
reserved for public uses.11 Such public uses which might already have been
reserved were national forests or national parks. The Territory of .Alaska
legislatively accepted the Federal grant on April 6, 1923. All section
lines in the Territory were designated as public rights-of-way. The
acceptance continued by legal statute until 1949 when it was repealed for
a period of four years. On March 20, 1953, acceptance of the Federal
grant was again re-enacted by legal statute. Informed legal opinions by
the Alaska State Attorney General's office affirm that State owned (that
i s, patented) lands wfll not be affected by repeal of R. S. 2477 in the
4-71
1976 Federal Land Pol icy and Management Act (1976 Organic Act) •. The
provision repeals the original Federal offer of the right-of-way grant
along section lines to the states. However, insofar as the original·
Federal offer was legislatively accepted prior to passage of the 1976 act,
existing rights-of-way are considered valid.
The present Alaska legal statute concerning right-of-way dedicat.ion
between section 1ines is AS 19.10.010. This statute dedicates a strip of
land lOO feet wide for highway use between each section of land owned by
the State and 66 feet wide between all other sections of the State,
specifiçally sections of federally owned lands. Since there are no
Federal lands in the Beluga Di strict, the 66 foot right-of-way does not
apply. Nearly all the lands in the Beluga District are surveyecl and
patented State lands, except for a portion of one township. Thus, each
' section in the district is bounded by a 100 foot wide right-of-way.
An important question regarding the existing right-of-way between section
lines is the possible and potential usage of the land for purposes other
than highways, or in conjunction with highways. AS 19.25.010 provides the
legal authority and required approvals for the use of utilities along the
constructed highways rights-of-way. Specified in the statute is · the
following: "An electric. transmission, telephone or telegraph line, ~ole
line, railway, ditch, sewer, water, heat, or gas main, flume, or other.
structure which by law may be constructed, placed or maintained across or
along a highway by a person or pol itical subdivision may be matntained or
constructed only in accordance with regulations prescribed by t~e
department (Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facil ities).11
There is presently considerable over1apping of authority of the
rights-of .. way. The Department of Transportation & Public Facil i ti es a~d
the Division of Lands, are currently establ ishing regulations which will
disentangle the overlapping authority, clarify accepted us~s and revise
procedural matters.
Several court cases have fairly well established usage of the
rights-of-way for public purppses. State pol icy, therefore, would mo~t
1 i kely support uses which are deemed to be in the public interest. A
potential conflict always e~1sts as to the nature of the public interest.
4-72
'.-
HISTORIC TRAILS, SITES AND CEMETERIES
Historie trails i.n the area were identified in a 1973 inventory done by
·the State Department of Highways (now the State Department of Transpor-
'tation and Public Facilities). Table 4-12 identifies the historie trails
in the Beluga Coal District. The Highway Department claims legal access
through prescriptive rights along these traditionally travelled ways.
Several Native historie sites and ceneteries have al so been identified in
the area, see Figure 4-5.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE LAND USE
Based on the initial study of land tenure, land status, land classifi-
cations and zoning in the Beluga Coal District, the following prel iminary
re comme nd at ions ·a re su bmi t ted :
LAND STATUS
All land status, land tenure, classifications and zoning in the Beluga
Coal District must be detennined accurately by using correct maps and
records. The work contained in this report was based in part on records
that are inaccurate. Time constraints did not allow for additional
research to rectify data inconsistencies.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
On resource management lands, it seems appropriate for the State to sell
commercial stands of timber well in advance of surface mining efforts on
the coal leases. This will assure maximum resource util ization for the
t imber as we 11 as the co a 1 • Th us the t imber won • t be 11 was ted 11 as a
residue of surface mining land clearance.
4-73
~
1
'-..1
0~
TRAIL
NAME
None
Susitna -
Tyonek
Win ter
Trail
QUADRANGLE
& NUMBER
QJO -Ill
Q70 -#2
QJO -#3
Mary•s lane -Q?O -#11
TABLE 4-12
EXISTING TRAIL SYSTEM
Beluga District
LOCATION
T.l3N.R.IOW. SM
T.ll~l~,13,14,15,
16,17N. R.7,8,9,
lO,llW. SM
T.llN.R.l2,13W. SM
T.15,16N.R.9W. SM
SOURCE
USGS Tyonek
Quad
ARC Annual Report
1930 Part II, Page
61. & Fifty Years
of Highways -Ak.
Dept. Public Works,
Div. of Highways
1960, pg. 29-30.
USSS Tyonek Quad
Based on old mining
cl aim map mining
activity 1907. Man
who mines in the
area came to the
DESCRIPTION
Trail begins at south shore
of Beluga River and runs SW
to radio towers, then north
to cabins.
T~ail begins at town of
Susitna T.17N.R.7W. and runs
in a SW direction for 46 miles
to town of Tyonek T.llN.RllW.
Tra il runs from Trading Bay
to cabins on Nikolai Creek.
looking down Lewis River
from Mary's Lane, trail
proceeds north along lewis
River to landing strip and
mine.
Dept. of Highways
provided on 7/3/73 and
this infonnation.
Source: State of Alaska. Dept. of Highways. Alaska Existing Trail System. Pg. 246 & 249.
.. •;Çv~/:
''
···c ·~s:
_:.:;· -~
l -~?y l ( ·~ ' .. _,_, 1 ,_ '
,,.,;·["'lou... ·-, 1 . t Sus1tl,)à Flill !{.,-"
-• l/1kr
J',.flll ~
fJ'"i.âC
...... !..~'-
i( -j t / ---1
t . : l "· ";
';
1
1.
j'
:~ .o -+----..,...... '\'",~
/
~ c'(l~ ---
_(}'-;_~ 11 <
! > ' \ \ /" -"/ _'. __ -_+-:-~~
''''• 5o•Jth _ i ' . ~-~~<;,1k-;' '-é Dongh;t,na i '· ''<'4 "c!"'' -' n ·"'" • 1 ,, -r.L'--:. ---"' ----,_ "-;:. \" 1 -; ~~~--. Alex,,r1:lf/:~--~--\ .~;.:, f. ___ +
_. _; • ,Uy T"'"lkiti
.r~· ......
•: / , 1
.. ' "~:j
. ~~~fi . \• -~?.1 +7,· 1
...é:,."
--._. pt~~~ 1
1
l
--',~ 1 . ,:
~ . -J'~t
\ -j
,./ j
~ r' . . ( , ....
-+
1
\ ~---
~
::::: -· -,
!
1
t ~-1
1 '1 ù*1:'!ug.L ·'-<-. ,·,
m . l_r {;:~~ -~:"'· -' + . +1
T. '<cc ~-. 1· ,,
-. < 1 ~'<!> .::. .-• -• , .. ! ..,P ;;:,•
··,;-('~ .. ~ j?'C"0<-.;.-!--:-':o; ~ s.
,/:8;,;;;,; >-~t~~~: -~' t\ . ·l:~ ? 1 " ' . ,.,, ,/,~1 ' . ' "<" . . . ' ' ...... ~r)·>,•.":·:.,;;,-.. ·· ~,, ~~ ~0' . 'l'. ····· . ,' . 1
·).:.;", -,; ".,,.,· · .. " ' '-'"-------~~-; •" '\) ' C•f ':::::1'~ !AM_--'--+ -
1 ~J~·-''~1!:~~-::-:;'f_:;J_-/. ~-Rlvt:R 41 '·.. = -~ ·:. ~-·, . t ·'-"0.· .>! •• ' ,.,, ·'
'!fo"'o \, ·;:;.,~•: ' '<., "> "•> .• "o • :, ' 1î.; ~ I. ~-< ' ·~ l ._• ' ' -~o -• . . -· "'' ' .• ïtl ... 'f ~., i .-' ~ ,., .~7'_.;}v-,~-':;·1 '"-.,. • _ 1 ~ .' -'·:":.~.\t;:·~'1·" < i ·, ; :::; 'l ·.. 1· ··-:-·.
.._,,
17
•. IL ... , •• 1\ t· , ., ... _ . ::•· ... _,,. ~ · '}~.i~.,~:·}~~-~;..::·.· 1>.1.; l ,; .::.· .. ·:>0h.YP . .. ·~ ''"1'''"', ... , , . , . . _,,,._w·
~
<> ." ., 1 ""
" t;
,. fj, .. ' 1
lb ~' :"''t
•t'" ~-· ~ t ' . --: ~ T
--'-
"' <>.
~ :;-.
._,_,!o-~·
...::: ..._ -.._
-...:
~~/ / ~
1 ~.: r./ ·J
1 t-V/ ,.tJ ~{ T 15 N ,"-~/ ~ 4
}r!dr.le..-// ." './ { 1
,~ .. ~~~ '-· ~ji
-~ . La<•·l-
:• 9.. ·ùc.lala.nÎ.~
"l.ol;ç ':·~ ,. "''''<"!'' . ""' ' :,If l
"'"": fi_ ii 1 _.t-f
v"'· , .. ; eœ >~.
Barrel· 1 "'(;,
~!·(mp l j o
-:._.~:. ~
1 .-\~
i
' ·,l
• -~ T
. ·{~: _· '\;:.]
14 t,.
-·
Lak~:· · e_lt~ "~3got Pt
....... ·
susit(\3
F\~t~
__ J .. ~
--"-1''>' ··:ù~:::;'
. oo~ .1
ft r-A_---j
A _.-! r 13 ~ ', 1 }( _.-;: Nc,ror:z: !.·1J'j
R5
:._..~
!( :-:----1400 ~
1418.· }j<:
-·• .4~1-~~;···
'§_ÛJI$-r:&-----------.... ~< ::;a,:-
-c.<S:'i-:Y . c..\...--~v
·<"''i-:t-7 '"'
· " · · . :[k,r;;; ,: . Pt Ca1
\ ~ ~
/';:;~.~-\·:·y -.·· •• ~:J~'-·:;~:· ' <." .
1 ' "'· -· r..,.,,., ·1 ... ; r.;. '
.-/-"t:C, •IGf~. ......
'"'.L.: '-,
1 • " ., ' " .. ··"'·,y,'· J "'"i:.~ .· :200 '" /
. '·· . J-. \'-.._:: 1 'L~." r-e j'?~dJ. '\(. '.....__...,~ o >. ' ·~, V' · >
?-l 1 ··~, .. ,, ' 1: ":' 0
' :.. _·1. '-o. 1. " ''~.. ~'}''
. " ·~· 1 """'"" -'",o., . 0 -;,; :.<;-t~ .• ~ ;""'" '"""s. c
f.rt
\;
/
/
/
........ ~7 '(1'~. >/' , <f'$.:1 / .. , ». ··\1~~ .·. "".~'-.;fr:. ~~, --:.;~~t:~:~i
):~('> ~1,;,*0-<> ·~r~e>~ .
'-(; ' BOR~l.'QJL
--••-~Â/•'',,ê '·" • j ~ • Bu"''llli'~
/d>#t'orut!d..-1 . "h ' l."h _/!!... .1.1 ;!"';!:--'~ L . '"'.:-f~C'R\t&S< -·~ "J••O ·.:~ ·':.' r-~ 1---..,:."'. ;,~;t'"aL5\~ IB;G ,:'; .. e., 1• '• ' ' · ., . . · . ,. 0" 1obona
k f)~dJi'J~!.~ . ,. __ '}.·• ,, . . Jt\';:O,,<J ~.--~:i:~:;{',.,... • tr<t
. -.,~, ~ ... i·-· 'f::il-203 ·~fi~:~;~:~: -Grac ·e Pt
~ ;1 ~·.· ··--r--"---;,) ·: ••• 151.,
1\
~-~~:~-/'
~
Native Historie Sites
Beluga Goal District
Figure 4-5
'---'JîOROUGH l',_
v lZ ,,
. '-4 r:•
J-1/;y
-1/tJr KENAI PENIN~~::i~~·:s;~Fir~os :•
• 1 . L<i< c . 1 &'S' . j , · H!CKA . ·---·---" ~! ~ · ~';,;':,';.:.,~\ > L c TYONEK Scalé 1:250 ~~---~-1---{~~----·----·--. . . . . 'bl~oa
30' R.7W R.6W 6.J..oJ:X,m.E. ::?WJ:.J(,I(.FEEitZ·'JNE5)·, 15doo0'
DOCK SITES
Since much of the development in the Beluga Coal District hinges on the
selection of a dock site, its selection is one of the most critical land
us,e decisions affecting the Belgua Coal DistriCt.
Any settlements should not be too far distant fran the dock. The major
transportation route (rail and/or highway) needs to serve the dock. Cook
In let Region, Inc. • s 300 foot wide floating corridor fran the future co.al
mine at Capps Glacier to the beach would likely terminate at the dock as
well. The choice of 1 oc a ti on i s one that needs to be made ea rly in coa 1
field development planning.
SHORE FISHERY LEASE --SET NET , SITES
Possibly as little as ten .percent of the fishennen using set nets along
the coast of the Beluga Coal District have obtained shore fisheries
leases. Nonnally leases are obtained only when encroachment is threatened
by other fishermen. The development of a coal dock could improve fishing
immedi a tel y adjacent to the dock. Al though shore fis hery leases protect
the fishing site fran the encroachment of other fishermen, leases don•.t
protect the shore fishery lease holder from other uses, such as a dock.
Although apparently not requ1 red by State 1 aw, it is suggested that set
net fi shennen wi th shore fishery l eases and fi shennen wi thout leases be
reimbursed for the 1oss of livelihood, once that loss has been
established, or another site of equal productivity satisfactory to the
fishermen be sought as a replacement. The State of Alaska, Department of
Fish and Game can identify any affected set net fi sherman in the a rea, all
of whom must also have L imited Entry Pennits to fish in the Inlet.
CONVERSION OF PROSPECTING PERMITS TO COAL LEASES
Coal lands owried or which will be owned very shortly by Cook Inlet Region,
Inc. are subject to co~l leases hel d by Beluga Coal Company~ as well as to
several coà) prospecting permits which the State may or may not convert to.
lease.
4-76
\wl'
~
The State, as the largest owner of coal lands in the district, is respon-
sible for the management of all coal leases and prospecting pen11fts
incl uding those on the State Mental Heal th Lands lying between the Tyonek
Native Corporation Village Lands and Cook Inlet Region exchange lands.
Numerous coal prospecting penni ts are al so fou nd on these Mental Heal th
Lands. The moratorium on converting prospecti ng permits to coal l eas.es
has been responsible for halting the issuance of leases.
PROPOSED STATE HIGHWAY: CHUITNA TO GOOSE BAY
The proposed highway might best be part of a corridor that woul d incl ude
future electric power transmission lines, a proposed railroad link and the
proposed highway, as we11· as provision for other utilities that ·are
necessary. So far, the Tyonek people have made it clear that they do not
want su ch a tie located on Tyonek Native Corporation Lands; at least they
are unwilling to give their land away for· such a road. The proposed
highway might be real igned across borough lands to tie into the existing
road north of the Chuitna River. Such a tie would allow existing roads to
be used north of the Chuitna River on Tyonek Native Corporation Lands, but
woul d not impose on the former Moquawkie Reserve where the V ill age i s
located.
FUTURE PERMANENT SETTLEMENTS
The coas tl i ne from Beluga south to Kustatan on West Forel ands has s~en
numero us tradition al Native Settlements over the past several hundered
years. The status plats show that sorne of the best s.ettlement locations
are on lands sel ected by the Kenai Pen insu la Borough. The a rea
surrounding Congahbuna Lake is under a Reserved Use Classification for a
future subdivision. To many observers, this is the area that is most
appeal ing for a permanent settlement. Care should be taken to assure that
any permanent settlement is not located on a prospectively "high value"
coal production area.
4-77
TRADING BAY AND SUSITNA FLATS STATE GAME REFUGES
· One of the fi rst considerations to be resol ved pri or to the devel opment of
any facilitiles or structures is that that of transportation and utility
corridors. In the Beluga coal field it will be necessary to make use of
an easement to loop the el ectricity generated from coal fran the future
coal mines west along the coast, crossing the Cook Inlet between West and
East Forelands, looping north to follow the general al ignment of one or
the other of the gas lines, crossing the mouth of Turnagain Ann, thence to
Anchorage. Looping east fran the future coal mine(s), power transmission
would go through the Susitna Flats State Game Refuge fo11owing the general
alignnent of the existing power transmission lines serving Chugach
Electric Association, running fran the Beluga Gas Field (or north of
there) to Anchorage. Taking the proper envi r·onmental safeguards,
appropria te easements coul d be set as ide for proper passages through the
Trading Bay State Game Refuge and the Sus itna Flat State Game Refuge.
.FUTURE HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT
Potential hydropower devel opment at Chakachamna Lake and C~akachatna River
are presently protected by U.S~ Survey 3970, and Power Site Classification
395. This is one of the lowest cost large scale potential hydropower
sites in the Southcentral Region, with an index cost of 6.5 and an
estimated installed capacity of 366 MW with a plant factor of 50 percent.
It is appropria te that the development plans for the coal field take. the
futu.re hydropower devel opment ( possibly in the 1990 's) into account,
particularly for transportation and power transmission line planning •.
EXISTING WATER RIGHTS
The water rights of the existing settlements along the èoast of the Beluga
Coal District should be protected. The limited number of water rights
hol ders shows that this has not yet been done by the local residents. In
arder to avoid future confl ict with industrial developers, the local
residents should assure their own water rights through the appropriate
, penni tting procedures. Possibly the watershed serving· the a rea should be
4-78
v
identified and set aside. As it is in the North Kenai area, water could
become a major topic of dispute between the local people and industr,ial
deve 1 ope rs.
NATIVE HISTORIC SITES AND CEMETERIES
Immediately following site selection for the dock, additional local road
al ignments, the permanent settlement $ite (if any), and especially
development activities affecting the coastline, studies should be started
to determine significant Native historie sites and burial grounds in the
path of proposed development. It is likely that !!!l site selected for its
val uable location would al so have been used in the past by Native people
for similar reasons.
PERMITTING PROCEDURES
This report was written as the pennit procedures existed in June 1978.
However, because of the state of flux in this rapidly changing field,
substantial changes may have taken place since the writing of this
document. Further pursuit of information on the Land tenure of the Beluga
coal fields should be coordinated with the Alaska Division of Lands. This
office will have the most up-to-date information.
4-79
APPENDICES
CHAPTER 4
The following appendices ~hould be used only for superficial reference in
regard to the subject matter contained in this Chapter. Because of the
rapidly changing status of land in the Beluga area, this information
cannot be used as a 1 egal representation of land status. All correspon-
denée should be addressed to the Alaska Division of Lands.
4-80
~
·~
''-'
APPENDIX 4-A
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE COOK INLET LAND EXCHANGE
(SELECTED SEGMENTS AFFECTING THE BELUGA COAL DISTRICT)
STATE TO U.S. & U.S. TO CIRI
8P Il. Upoa coaaeac by the Stace co be bauad by che te~ and conditions of this
i
9
lO
'll
l.2
u
14
1
ul
161
1'11
18
19
1
2
DoCUIIImt, vhich conaec 11111111: be &1YIIIh 1f ac Ill, v1th1n 60 <lays of the
c~eii!Ac of the 1976 Scaaiol:l of tbe Alaaka Scata Legislacure, che
Stace •hall coavey co tbc Uaitad Scacaa for racoaveyance co CIRI the lands
cl~I':Uuid ia AppeadLx C of chia DoCUIIeftC. S.eicl l.ancla shall be co~tsiclered
$tata laacla uac:il che United Scacea accepcs the State's Deed of fitle.
Upoa accapcaace of che Stata's Deed of f1tle, che Secrecary shall vithàrav'
the lancie conveyed chereby, subjecc co valid matine ri;hcs, froœ. all
fo~ of appropriatioa uncler tbe Public LAnd Lava, 1nclud1us che œinins
&ad ataeral 1eea1nc lave. and fro. ••leccion under the Alaska Scacehood
Act. •• ameadecl; sucb v.1tbdrav4l co -xpire upoa reconveyaaca of said lands
co CIII.
Al"PENDIX C
(lehrenco: t'ar::~;r::tph Il chia Docu111enc)
30 I. Il ClRI has oa or be!ore JanU4ry 1%, 1976, presontcd evidence satistacto~y
4 co tbe Stace Uu&c the villa& .. ot Knili;, Chickaloon, AlelCAn<ler Creek, Tyonek • .
5 lf:Lailchü. aaci s.i.l~~~~acql have "ithàra\ftl salectioa appUcatious for aoq :a-
6 liAquishacl all c:.ldu co 14ncl 1a the t.abl Cl..arlc. Lake !Coacushib\lnA aad
7 llulcbatl24 Uver ue.u, the St4t• shall coaveYt
Source:
v
3. T. 16 N., R. ll ~.;
2 T. 16 M., l. 12 w ••
3 Sec:. 7 aU;
" s.a. 16 -%2 aU;
s . s.e •• 25 •36 ..U;
' T. 16 H., K. 11 V.,
'1 S.c:11. 10 • 2.1 aU:
8 ~~·· 25 • 36 aU;
9 t. 15 N., a. 14 w.;
l.O t. 15 N., l. 13 W.0
u t. 15 N., a. 12 w ••
l2 t. 15 N., a. 11 w.:
u '1'. u ...... 10 Il ••
14 s.e.. 5 -9 &11;
15. a.. •• 16 .. 11 &11:
16 S.c:a. 18 • 33 a11; ,:.;
17 :Î(-' '· 14 .tf •• Il. 15 w.;
181 t. 14 N., a. 14 w.;
19 ,1: t. 14 N., a. 13 v ••
20 Secs. 4 • 9 all;
2l. S.c:a. 16 -21 all;
1.1 Seca. 28 -33 ali;
23 T. 14 N., a: 11 w.;
.~:<'tf 24 '1'. 14 N., l. 10 W.,
as S.ca. 4 • 9 aU;
26 s •••• 16 -21 all:
2? hca. 18 -33 all;
28 T. !3 M., 1. l5 W.;
29 T. 13 N., a. 14 v.;
30 T. 13 N., ~. 10 W.,
31 Secs. 1 •·3 dl;
z.a Sec•· 10 -11 ~11;
~
4-82
1
a
z
" 6
6
'1
8
9
l.O
ll.
12
u
14
16
16
1'1
18
19
20
21
23
23
24
25
26
2'1
28
29
30
~l
32
Sec•. 12 • 13 cxc1udinç l~nds c4st of tbe
orcl1n4ry 1\i;h,wGto.r 1114rk. 011 tho r1ght
\ank of c:ha. k1~p IUveri
s.e •• 14 -15 &11;
Secs. 22 • 27 all;
·s.e •• 34 • 36 all;
t. 11 a., a. ~ w.;
t. 11 H., a. 14 w.,
Seca. l • 22 all;
Secs. 27 • 28 all;
Sec. 30 all;
S.ea. 34 -35 all;
t. 11 H., a. 10 W.;
T. l1 N •• R. 13 W.,
S.e. 12 all;
Sec. 13 E 1/2. NW l/4, t l/2 SW l/4;
Sec. 24 NE i/4 NE l/4;
t. 11 N., a. 12 w.,
.Sec. 18 all;
Sec. 19 N 1/1, N l/2 SE 1/4;
Sec. 20 all.
(2) hovided, l!.ovever. thac tlua !ollowina descr1'bed l~ncls sh:lll
!e! be ava1labie for C1Rl's selccc1on of subsur!ace ast~te:
Seward Keridi~n. Al4aka
(J.lu&a. Cas ?tele!)
t. 13 N., 1. 10 W.,
Sec. l1 E 1/2;
Secs. 12 • 14 ~ll;
Scca. 22 •27 nll;
Sec. 33 & l/1;
Soca. 34 -36 3lli
4-83
15 '1
17.
1
ul ' 1
19 ~
2011
21
2a
23,
24
25
26
27
as
at
30
.31
sa
1
a
3
4
5
5
7
8
' 10
u
12
13
14.
15
15
17
18
19~
20
(1) (l) tbi~'•ea and one-hall tovnlbi1• of Gurfaca &nd subau~!4ca
aatat:a be• cha kluaa A.na 'Tovru:bi:ps .liscad :Ln r:haae 11ub
parag~phs 11.1. aud !.2. Tba idaat::f.cy of thoae law sball
be dec~fted by Cial Vit:hin aigbta.a moatha follovins che
t.pl.-iccatioa of this documeat: by ncainat::f.on of eoapaet
uaita ao 1• .. that 1/4 tOWftahip in s:l.za lyins alona covn•hip
linas, p~ded èb4t whore eoasc~a:f.acd by salact:f.OD pool
bouadariea or wacer bodies chay .. , be ..all•r; proVidod.
bowQvar, chat :1.~ Tyonek CorporAtion d .. iros to trade the
audac• astate it: bolets ia the Xanai :fat::Lotl&l Moo1e Ranao
toff St.ata 1urfaca lands vit:hin tho vicinicy of its villat.e
lacda. but witbia Clli'a solaction pool. :I.e: uy obta.ia up co
oae township of auch l4ada. lt Tyonck Corporation docs crado
for Clltl' a illllocu:ioo pool l.lads, Clll shall select: An cquivo•
1eat acra4ao of achar lands fro• within thi• sele~eion pool:
f~Nord Mc.u:f.dL.Iln, Atu~o~ka
!. 16 N., K. 14 W,;
f. 12 N., a. 10 w.,
S•••· 2 • $ al1;
Sacs. 8 -10 all.
. (llic:ol.a.i Creak c .. FieJ.tt) '·
t, 11 H., 1. 12 W.,
Su. 16 sw l/4;
su. 17 s 1/:2;
Sotc. 18 S'E l/4;
Sac. 19 E l/2, E l/2 W L/1;
Sac. 20 &U;
Sae. 21 11: l/'1.;
s.e. %8 w l/2;
Sacs •• 19 -32 all.
(3) th• Scata ·~1 provida a f1oacina. publie, 300 foot witte
t:r:u&90'C'UC.iO'D. ... 11111aa.t frc• T. l.3 N, ,. R., 14 li.,· S<Nar4
Hsritiaa, Alaaka, to tb• shorœ ~f Cook Inlac ta T. ll ~ ••
t. ll w., Scvartt Heridi&a., Alaska, said easemenc to be decer=ined
\lfOD. che a"'Owui. at auch future t':l,lae as a need exists and tben au
a4equa~• .field data avail&ble upon ~icn the State may !in&lly plAn
.ad ~ca the corridor.
4'-84
\. JI ,._..,
'-
3011 u . .Ul Convcy.ncc:cs of lo1nci11 m.adc in ac:cord· with tbb Aprcndix c llh:!U p:!IUt
31 all o~ c.ho St:itu's riaht, titlc ;~nd incorcflt in tho lAnds, ia1cludLnc
32 tho llliuor;als tboroin, c.s lf tho-cC'lnvcynncc::t w~•~:to: ns;1du p1.1r::u;mr. co
Scc:tiun ~2(1') nC 1\NC.~A. C!XC:upt tlmt dL•t.llo:atual or pl;tcc;ad 1u•ctJon lJ.nc
111 ••••••cs Md biahwoy or othcr r:l.ah~::t•of--vay m.ay be resaned co the
z· Stace. Coavcyancoa of •urtaca cstoto pursUAct ta this Appenciix c aholl
:S Il illclud.o 14fto:1 anci aravel .:~a a m.attor of oarce~~~aac. ~·
4 .. 85
APPENDIX 4-B
. ~:fTED '~STA'TES SURVEYS
(P~EDOMINANTLY PRIVATE LANDS)
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
Tl. S. SlJRV.EY NUM:SER · LOCATION
4550 T.llN., R.12W., S.M.
Sec. 29.
1880 T.11N., R.12W., S.M.
Sec. 27.
4548 T~11N., R.12W., S.M.
Sec. 27.
3895 T.llN., R.l2W., S.M.
Sec. 28.
4549 T.11N., R.12W., S.M.
Sec. 28.
4678 T.11N., R.13W., S.M.
Sec. 14 & 15.
4540 T.12N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 4.
3072 T.12N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 4.
4541 T.l2N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 4.
4545 T.12N., R.10W., S.U.
Sec. 7.
4542 T.l2N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 17.
3411 T.12N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 17 & 20.
4543 T.12N.~ R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 17 & 20.
3270 T.12N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 20.
4679 T.l2N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 20.
4-86
~
~·
UNITED STATES SURVEYS
(PREDOMINANTLY PR!VATE LANDS)
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
U.S. SURVEY NUMBER LOCATION
2089 T.12N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 30.
4544 T.12N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 30.
364 T.12N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 30.
1865 Moquawakie Indian Reservation
2345 T.l2N., R.lOW., S.M.
3M. Crk. Sub.
4547 T.l2N., R.llW., S.M.
Sec. 20.
4546 T.12N., R.11W., S.M.
Sec. 14 & 23.
3956 T.13N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec. 11.
3961 T.13N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec~ 7.
3959 T.13N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec. 17.
3957 T.13N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec. 16.
3901 T.l3N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 12.
3962 T.13N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 35.
3596 T.13N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 35.
3963 T.13N., R.lOW., S.M.
Sec. 35,
4-87
UNITED STATES SURVEYS
(PREDOMINANTLY PRIVATE LANDS)
BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
U.S. SURVEY NUMBER LOCATION
3964 T.13N., R.llW., S.M.
Sec. 30 & 31.
3954 T.14N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec. 11.
3156 T.14N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec. 34.
3955 T.14N., R.9W., S.M.
Sec. 36.
3949 T.14N., R.12W., S.M.
Sec. 15 & 16.
3953 T.l5N., R.10W., S.M.
Sec. 7.
3952 T.15N., R.11W., S.M.
Sec. 27.
3948 T.15N., R.l2W., S.M.
Sec. 7, 8, 17 & 18~
li,~ sa
'.
~
,,.,
ADl Permit Number &
Èffectfve Date
34776
9/27/67
32183
l/16/68
37198
12/ll/67
m 37819
1 5/12/70
56013
32178
1/16/68
APPENr.(~c\4-C
RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMITS BELUGA COAL DISTRICT
Permittee
Matanuska Electric Assoc.
acting agent for Village
oJ ,Tyoneklt · Bôx 6, Palmer, Alaska -
Chugach Electric Assoc.
Chugach E1ectric Assoc.
Phillips Petroleum Co
Box 1967
Houston, Texas
Marathon Oïl CO. & Union
Oil Co. of Calif
Box 2380, Anchorage
Chugach Electric
Size Use
27 acres-lOO' width
18.18 acres 50' width
10.3 acres -200' width
lOO' width
50' width gas pipelines
132,500' 1 ength
(152.09 acres)
84.85 acres
50'C/L M & 8
('
T11N, Rl2W, Sec. 21, 22, 28
M & B
Tl3N, RlOW, Sec. 27, 34
M & B
Tl3N, R10W, Sec. 26 (M & B)
T10N. R8W; TlON, R9W;
T11N, R9W, ATS#835
T.R.W.P.#14
T9N, Rl4W, Sec.5, 17, 20,
29, 30, 32, 8;
Tl ON, Rl4W, Sec. 1 0, 11 , 12,
16, 1, 15, 33, 21, 32
T10N, Rl3W, Sec. 5, 6
TllN, Rl3W, Sec. 24, 25, 26,
27, 32, 33, 34
Tl1N, R12W. Sec. 19, 20, 21, 22
TllN, Rl2W, Sec. 25, 26, 34, 35
·Page 2
Num~r
32179
. 1/16/68
58502
9/18/22
28471
rf' 38086
\0
0
34126
33333
(,·
. J>ermi.ttee
Chugach t:lectric
Atlantic Richfteld.Co.
Box 360, Anchorage, 9951 0
Chugach Electric
Texaco, Inc.
Box 664, Anchorage
Shell Oil Co.
430-lth Avenue
Anchorage, Ak.
Cook In let. Pipeline Co.
. 1822 W. Nort~rn Lights
Anchorage, AL
S.ize
32.12 acres
~0' C/L M & B
.U$e .
50' width, 1700' length gas pipeline
lOO' letter of
non-objection for 150'
2.94 acres M & B
12t width M & B
265.7 acres
25' width
electric line
transmission
pipeline
Legal Description
TllN, Rl3W, Sec. 25, 26,
34, 35
TllN, Rl2W, Sec. 21, 28
passes through;
Tl3N, R9W; Tl 3N , Rl OW;
T14N, R8W; Tl4N, R9W;
Tl5N, R8W
TllN,R12W Sec. 28 Sl/2,
Sec. 29 S l/2
TllN, R12W; Sec. 19, 28, 29,
30
T11N, R13W, Sec. 14-17,
19, 23, 24, 22, 27, 28, 33,
20, 29, 30, 32
TlON, Rl3W, Sec. 5
TllN, Rl4W, Sec. 13, 24
TllN, R12W; TllN, Rl3W;
T8N, Rl4W, and other town-
ships outside Beluga Dist.
· page 3
~
1
ID
--'
Number
33081
32181
32182
35684
56285
(offshore)
33939
Permit tee
Pan American Pet. Corp.
Box 779 Anchorage
Chugach Electric Assac.
Chugach E1ectric Assac.
Superior 011 Co.
Box 1521, Houston, Tex
Union Oi1 Co. of Calif.
Marathon Oil Co.
909-W.9th Avenue, Anchorage
Chevron USA, Inc.
P. O. Box 7643
San Francisco, CA 94120
-,,
Size Use
125.688 Acres tide1ands right
of way
50' width powerline
71.52 acres M & B
77. 58 acres M & B
47.859 acres M & B
500' width,
111 ,400' length
159 acres
50' C/l
gas pi.peline
Surveyed, amended
to include seismic
trail and ADL 67290,
ASLS 75-28 and
ASLS 75-70
Legal Description
T11N, Rl2W; Tl1N, R11W;TlON,Rl2W;
T9N, R12W; T8N, Rl2W
T12N, RllW, Sec. 13-18
T12N, Rl2W, Sec. 13-16 & 21,
28, 33
T12N, R11W, Sec. 3, 10, 15, 22,
' 16, 21
T13N, R9W, Sec. 1, 5, 6, 7,;
Tl4N, R9W, Sec. 27, 33, 34, 32,
36, 35
T13N, RlOW, Sec. 12, 26, 23, 14, 13
ASLS 75-70:
Tl4N, R8W Sec. 18
Tl4N, R9W Sec. 2, 3, 10, 11, 12,
1 3' 1 5' 22 ' 27
ASLS 75-28:
Tl4N; R9W, Sec. 7 ~ 18, l7, 20,
29, 28, 33
Tl4N, RlOW, Sec. 2, 11, 12
page 4
Number
32180
17152
.7/31162
58034
I..J!>,
1
I.D
N
52466
l/12/71
(~
Permittee
Chugach Electric Assac.
P. O.Box 3518, Anchorage
The Superior Oi 1 CO.
Legal Dept. P.O. Box 152
Houston, Texas
Chugach E1ectric Asoc.
Atlantic Richfield Co.
Box 360, Anchorage
Size
42.42 acres
121 acres
20' width
34, 779' 1 ength
(15. 90 acres}
2.10 acres
25' width
9,260' length
("/
Use
access road to
well site(?)
for electric
dfstribution
line
Legal Description
T12N, RlOW, Sec. 4, 5, 7, 8, 18
M & B within
Tl2N, RlOW, Sec. 20;
Tl2N, RllW, Sec. 7, 8, 18, 19,
20, 21, 22:s 23, 24, 28
{excluding lands within Indian.
Allotment A-055082)
Tl2N,Rl0W, Sec. 4, 8, 9, 17
-Tl3N, RlOW, Sec. 19, 20, 27, 34
TllN, Rl2W, Sec. 27 within N 1/2
Sec. 28 within N 1/2
.p.
'1
i.O w
(~
ADL Application
Number & Date
61723 <
(7/6/73)
67900
(6/13/75)
67901
(6/13/75)
64352
72135
(
RIGHT OF WAY APPLICATIONS IN THE BELUGA DISTRICT
APPlicant
Division of Lands
323 E. 4th Ave
Anchorage {changed from
Phi11ips Pet. Co.)
(7 /27 /73)
Chugach Electric
Chugach Electric
Amoco Production Co.
P.O. Box 779
Anchorage, 99510
Matanuska Telephone
Assac., Palmer
Size Use
lOO' width run to wel~
14,264.70' length location
33 acres
38' width
110' length
.096 acres
15' width
540' length
.186 acres
50' width
8300' 1 ength
10' width
underground sewage
disposal system
Sewerline &
Maintenance road
gathering pipeline
buried telephone
cable facility
( "
Legal Description
'all Seward Meridan)
Tl3N, R10W, Sec. 18, 19
Tl3N, RllW, Sec. 24, 25, 26, 34, 35
Tl2N, RllW, Sec. 3
T13N, RlOW, Sec. 26
Tl3N, RlOW, Sec. 26
Tl2N, RlOW; Tl3N, RlOW;
Tl2N, RllW
r,
Number
75004
75699
~
1
r'::;.
Applicant
Jack C. Garber
Tyonek, Ak 99682
Francis H. Grant
2917 Jones Ave, Anchorage
Size
20' width
3000' length
15' width
1800' length
(/
Use
public road Tl2N, RlOW, Sec. 17
public road Tl2N, RlOW., Sec. 17
..._,.,.
APPENDIX 4-D
UNI'l'ED S'fATES
DEPAR'l'MENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE Or' INDIAN AFFAIRS
+
CORPORATE CHARTER
OF 'rHE
NATIVE VILLAGE OF TYONEI{
ALASKA
+
RATJFIED NOVBMBF;I~ 27, 1939
\J.:o\JTJ.:Il STA'l'F.S
GOVERX)IEXT l'UINTIXC: 011'FICE
WASHINGTON: 1940
4-95
·CORPORATE CHARTE!?. 01". 'l'HE NA'l'IVE VILLAGE OF
TYONEl\:
A FEDEIUJ, COHPORATION CHAit'J'EP.ED UNDElt 'l'HE ACT OF JUNE 18,
1934, AS AMENDED BY 'l'HE ACT OF 1\IAY l, 1936
\Vht~rea!O, u gi'Oup of Indians lw ving a common ho nd of Ih·ing to-
gether.-in TyonC-k, 'l'errito1·y of Alaska, ·scel;: .to orguni;.o.o .u.ll(ler sections
16 and 17 of the .Act of J nne 18,1934, and section 1 c,f the Act of Mn. y
1, 1936 by adoption of a constitution and by-laws and a chnrtet· ap-
pron•d by the St\cretm·y ~f the Interiol·, .
Now, thet·eîol'e, I, Oscar L. Chaptmln, .. Ass1stnnt. Secretary of the
Intt>ricw, by virtue of tl1e autl10rity givan to lUe by the nbove nets, do
hert'Ly submit this charter of incorporation to the group of lndirms
:so orgnnizing. .
SEC,"J'IO::s' 1. P~t.rpo.~e anrl Name.-In oi·d~~~· to cnable the Village and
its mcmhe1·s to do \'arions ldmls of business for their goocl, the Vill:tp:('
is hercby cl\!H't~J·ml ns n. cor1>o1·ation of tho United States o-f Amt•r·ka
un clet· the nu mE! of ".N'atiw.., ,. ill age of Tyonek."
S:&c:. 2 •• ~lcmlu;nMp.-'fhe. corporation i<hnll l)c n ml•mhcrship cot·-
porntion, cousisting o-f :tll pm·som; of the Villag(~ considt.•red tll(•mbt•r:<
unrlet· the ru les of Üs Constitution. · · · · · ·
SEC. 3 •.. JJ/anaqrmum.t:-The corpom!i(ln shn.ll be manag<'d by thl'
go,·ct·niug body ~ct up muler t1to constit ntion.
SEo. 4. · Powm·s.-ï'he cOrJ>m·atiou shnll httn"~ the pow<'r to do tht:.'
following things!
'J'o own, holcl, lllltnnge and dispos(~ of ail Village pl'Opc1·ty;
'l'o mnkc cout1·:wts; ·
To sne and be sucd ·
.To borrow money fl·om the l:c,·oh·ing Judian O·cdit fuud nml to
U50C it uudet'll Joan c·oùtl'tt<"t; .
To t•ntet· into any bn:-;iuess or ncti\'Îty tlwt will hettcr thE> C'Oildi-
tiou of tho Villnn·e t•lHl its rnemhc1·s; ·
To do such other ttiugs ns may be nr.ccssary to carry ou the bu:->i-
ness nud activitics of the Village. •
SJÙ:. a. lhnit.s fo Pou:e.r.Y.-111 usillg its POWC'l'!i th(.' ('OI'}lOl'ation Jnll!'ot
not do the following tl1ings: ·
Go ngninst llltY ln w·or· the COII!itltul ion nnrllJy-la \\'}: o·f the Villagt• ~
Sc!ll m· ntoJ·tguge n,n;v Jnnd set nRidf! as n. rf'l'<'l'''.c for· th(• Vi ling••:
Make lenf.ics, pt~J'Illtts or contrads <'O\'t•r·rng-nuy lntuls N' wntt•r·;.
set nsidc ns 11 l'tll-l<'''''<! for tl•<~ Villug-t• wit,lwu.t. t\w npprnnd of t h1.·
St'CI'OtnJ·y of the Iutt••·iot· or his authm·izccl J'Cpt·eHc·ntatiYC'.
S:t:c. 6. Pro{>fa•ty of .tlfl~mfJc:'I'.!>'.--PI\)pert \' O\\'IWd by n mt•mbt•t· of tlw
V:illnge E=huJJ uot lm tul\tlll t<J puy th{~ d•.•ht.~ of tht• cor·pot':\tion withoul
1118 CôllSE'Ilt, ·
(1)
:::8ï'l30-4.0
4=96
"-''
2
SJo:c. 7. Rr.conl.~.-The corporation !<hall kecp cont•t•t. recm·ds of its
business und nctivitim~ nnd gin~ copit~s of tlmsc rccOJ·ds wlH.•n u!'ked
to do soto the rElprcsentntivc of the O!iice of Imlhtn .Afi'airs set·ving
the Village. . -
SJo:c. 8. Chœnge.s in il1e C'harte1·.-Ch:mh'L'f> in tlw cluuter may be
made by the Villa&'e nnd if approved by the Scerct:u·,r of the Intt'rior
shaH be in forco Wllen agt·ccd to by n nmjol'Ït:y voh1 of those nH.·mLl~rs
voting iu an election ca lied by the Sccl'(•tnry of the I ut~·t·im·: P1·orùled~
Thnt 1\t.lcust 30 percent of the ''otillg membership votes. 'l'he chnrtt•l"
itsclf sha11 continue in foret> for ali ti me, un les.-> tu ken n wu y hy net
of Cong1·css. '
Sm. 9. ildoption of ('ltarltlr.-This Charter shnll he in force when
it is ngt·ced toby tl. majorit.y vote of those mcmbet·s Yotiug in an <.>lect ion
called by the Sect·etnry of the Interior: P1·ovided, That nt lt>nst 30
percent of the voting memhership votes and pl'o\'itled that the Village
]ms ngreed to a constitution and hy-laws approYed hv the Secretnt·Y
of the Jnteri01·. • ·
'l'his Charter is hereby a.pf>ro\·ed and suhmit f(~tl to the gwup of
· Indio.us hnving a common bond of residence in the Village of Tyouek, .
.Alaslm, to be voted on in an election callt!d and hel<l umler tht'
Instructions of the Secrctar.Y of the lnttn·ior. The Charter sl1all he
deemed issued when n petitiOn for n charter, signed b;r oue-third of
the adttlt lndians, hns lJeen rcceh·ed by an autlwl'ized represcntntin, ·
of th~ Department of the Interim·.
Osc.•u: I.. CJBI'liiAN,
A.~û.~tcmt Secreta:I'Y of tlte Interim·.
(SEAI.]
'VAsmxo·roN, D. C., May t?3, 10S9.
CERTIFICA1'10N
I>ursu:mt to an 01:de~·, approvctl May 2?., 193!), by the Assistant
Secretnry of the Intenor, the attadtt'd charter was submittccl :for-
ratification to the group of I ndinns lmving n. commou bond of resi-
denee in the neighborhood of Tyonek, 'J'erritory of .-\laskn, ~md was
on NoYemhet· 21; 1939, duly ratihed by a vote of 40 for und 0 ngainst,
in an election in which over 30 percent of thosc mltitl<>d to ,·ote <:nst
tl!eh· ballots, in accordnnce with the Alnslm .Aet of l\Iay 1. 1936 (49
Stut. 1250), 1md sect.ion 1'7 of the Act of June 18, 1934 ('18 Stat. 984):.
as nmemlcd hy the Act of June 15,1935 (49 Stat. 378).
llAlllUCJo; ,Y, ÜAJC:!\lODY,
6'overrnment Rll;n'ellcntatit•e.
4-97
0
DICli }:f:JSIL\KOJW,
Oltai·rman, Nlect/.on Borml.
Nxou:Et·on · Ar:t:xAx,
8ecPetat·y, Elec;tfon Boarcl ..
;·
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF. THE INTER! OR
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
+
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LA WS
OF THE
NATIVE VILLAGE OF TYONEK
ALAHKA
+
RATIFIED NOVEMBER 27, 1939
UNITED S'l'A.'l'ES
GOVERNlllEN'l' PBIN'l',!:NG Oli'.FXCl!l
WASHINGTON :1940
4-98
v
~ Jj ~
·~
.._.
CONSTITUTION AND. BY-LAWS OF THE NATIVE
VILLAGE OF TYONEK
We, a. group of Indinns having the common bond of living together
m the Village of Tyonek, Territory of Alaska, in order to have better
life and greater se~urity1 malte for ourselves this Constitution and
By-laws1 by authortty ot the Act of Congress of June. 18, 1934, as
amended by the Acts of June 15, 1935 and May 1, 1936. ·
AR'.L'tCLE I-N.Â)lE
This organization shall be called the "Native Village of Tyonek~"
\ ARTI<.'LE II-ME')lBERSHIP
·. SECTION 1. Flrst Members.-All persons whose ruunes are on the
list of native resitlents, made nccording to the Instructions o·f the
Secretary of the In teri or for organization in Alaslta, shall be members
of the Village.
S:ec. 2 .. Ohilàren of J!emoe·r.s.-All children of any members shall
be members of the Village. ·
SEc, 3. Lotis of M ernbe~·tdt:ip . .-Auy member may willingly give up
his membership1 or his l}lembership may. be tnken a~vay · fo~· good
reason by the VIllage, or 1f he moves awn.y from the Vtlln.ge, mteml·
iug not to return, he shall lose his membership.
SEo. 4. Ne!'w Membership.-Any person who hns }ost his member·
ship and a~t her n~.r.son ma y be macle a.Jlle.mbeJ:Jijte...aets pp~~ .
---s-F.o. 5; Jlembe1'8hip Rule$.-The Village may mnke rules to govem
membership, either for the purpose of carrying out this Article or
covering membership matters not taken .ca.re oÎ in this .~;\.rticle.
ARTicLE III-GoVEnNINO Boor
. SEC'llOX 1. Oh.oioe of Ooverning BtJdy.-At a general meeting
following the acceptance of this Constitution, the Village member-
ship shail decide what kincl of governing body it wishes to set up
to spet\k and act for the Village tutd to use the })owers of the Village.
If there is a governing body ah·eady set up in t le Village, at the time
this Constitution is accepted, the membership may dt>CÎde to keep
that governing, body, or it may choose a new fm·m of governmen!.
SEc. 2. Oho1c8 of Otfice?·s.-The Village shnll at the san<e ttme
<lecicle how mernbers ana otlicet'S of the governing body shttll he chosen
and how long they shaH serve. · 'l'he Village sht\11 tht-n choose the
mernbers to serv.e on the governing body and such officers as may
be thought necessat·y.
SEc. 3. Meetings of; JJ/em.be'l'8hip and Governing Bocly.-The Vil~
lage shall decide when and how o.ften there should be meetings of
236778-40 ( 1) .
4-99
2
the '!hole Villa~ membership as well as «?f the governinO' body;
also 1t shall decxde what notlce shaH be g1ven for the cnÏlin~ of
meetings. rnul how mn.uy me:t:nbers must be present nt such meetings
in order to.do business; ,and it n1ay niake any other rules necessary
for the holding of meetings. A general meetmg of the whole mem-
bership shall.bè·held at least ouc.e a yetu·. . · . : · " ·
SEo. 4. RetXJrd emiL Report of Village Deci8ions.~A record shall
be made and kept of àll the ·rules triade under sections lt 2, and 3
o~ this Article, ~hich. x-ecord sho.U be called ~le Re.col'~ of Or~aniza
tlOn of the Natlve V1Ilage o:f Tyonek. Co01es of tlus recorct shall
be given-to the teo.cher or·othex· representative of the Office of Indinn
'Atl'airs set-ving the Village. , l'here shall' be put in the record the
names of ali persona oh~se.x~. t9 he officers of Çhe Villn~e. ·
ÀRTICLE IY. .. ,,J:'QWERS OF T~E VILW.GE
· SECTION 1. POW'e'ri!A Held.-The Village shall have the following
powers: · · -· ' · · ·
To do ali things for the common. ~d which it hns done or has had
the right to do 1n the past and wnich at·e not aga.inst Federal law
:ancl such Territorial law as may apply. -. · .. · . . 1
To deal with the Federal and Territorial Governments on mattèrs
which interest the Vinage, .to stop: any giving or taking away of,
Village lands or other property without.it!'l .z.on.aent, and to get. le-gnl
a id, as set forth in the act of June 18, l934. · . · · ..
To control. the use b_y members ot• nonniembers of any reserve set
aside by the· Federal Government for the Village nnd to keep order
in the reserve. . ·; : .. ·
. To guard and to fosterc native life, arts and possessions and uative
customs not o.ga.inst la.w. ·
SEc. 2. {)t•(l;n,t of More Potcer.-The Village may ho.ve n.ncl use such
other powers as may be given to it by the Fedet•al or Tet·ritorial
Government. · . · .
SEc. 8. U11è' of Po·uJwa.-Tbe governing body shnll put into use
auch of the powers of the Village n.s the Village may give to it at
general meetlngs of the membershif and, shall make reports of its
actions to the membership at genera meetings.
SEc. 4. Rule-rnalcin(l Powtw.-The Village mày make ru.les which.
· nre not against law to carry out the words of this Constitution.
ÀRTIOLE v -RIGliTS OP' MEJ.J:BERS
. SECTION 1. Bight to V:ote.-All members of the VilJtl:S'~~'>.t ven~ of,
~ge or over shall have the right to vote in Village meetmgs and
elections. · :
· SF.o. 2• Right to Spe«k mul Meet Freely.-l\Iembers of' the ViJlnge
.shaU have tlie right. to speak and meet together freely in a peacenble
"'O.S~o. 3. Right :~~-skW~ in '.Ben:eftta.-Mem~I;S of th/vmnge s:hall
l~a-ve. equal chance. to share· in the b~nefits of the Village. . . , •.
ÀR'l'ICLE VI-CHAXOES ~N THE CoNs~Tro; . .
Changes in thi~· Constitution and ':Sy-law~ ~~y be made if .the
-ehanges are a pproved by the Seoretal'y of the Interior an(t· by a
4-100
........ )
3
mu.jority '•ote of the Village members voting in an election called by
the Secreto:ry o·f the Interior at which at lenst 30 percent of the voting
membersbip tnke part. ·
BY·LAWS OF THE NATIVE VILLAGE OF TYONEK
A~CLE 1::-0FFICERS A:ND THEIR DUTIES
SECTJO:N 1. l'illage .Recorà$.-The Village or the governing body
shall choose one or more members who shaH hn.ve the dnt;v of keeping
records of aU actions and decisions of the Village n.nd of the govern-
ing bodv and of giving copies of the records to the representative of
the Offièe o·f Indh\n Anu.irs servinO' the Village.
SEc. 2. Village Funcls.-The Vinage or the governing body shali
choose one or more members who shall have the duty of caring for
the Village funds nnd keeping records of all fumls taken in and paid
out and gi.ving copies of the records to the representative of the
Office of Indian Affairs. · .
SEc. 3. Oftlce?'S awl Agew.ts.-The Village or the governing body
mai choose as many officers and agents as it may need to carry out
its duties and shall state the length of service an(l the duties of ench
officer or agent when he is chosen.
ARTICLE II.-ADOPTIOX
'l'his Constitution and By-1Mvs shall hein effect when it is agreed
toby a majority vote of the Village members voting in an election
called for the purpose by the Secretary of the Intel'ior: Pr,ovidecl,
Thnt at ]east 30 percent of the voting mem.bership take part. The
pérsons entitled to vote are aU the adult native residents in the Village
of Tyonek.
APPROVAL
This Constitution and By-laws is hereby approved by tl1e Assistant
Secreta1'V of the Interior :md submitted for acceptnnce or rejection
by the i;·oup of Indians ho.ving a common bond of living together
in the village of Tyonek, Alaska, in an election called and held
uncler the Instructious of the Secret.ary of the Interi01· .
.All rnles and reguln.tions heretofore promulgu.tecl by the Interior
Def.ll\l'tment ot· by the Office of Indian A:ffn.irs, so far as they may
be mcompatible with any of tl1e provisions of the said constitution
·and by-la.ws will be inapplicable to the Village of Tyonek, Territory of
Alnskn, from and after the date of adoption of th1s constitution .
.AU officers and employees of the Interior Department are orderecl
to 'abide by the provisions of the saicl constitution and by-la.ws.
Ose An L. Cn.AP,.u.N,
Assistant Secreta'MJ of tl~e lnterio1·.
(BEAL)
'Y.AsHt:-tGTOY, D. C., J.llay :23, 1939.
CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION
Pursuant to an order, approved Màv 23, 1939, by the Assistant
SecretM-y of the Interior, the atta.cheq Constitution an(l By-laws
was submitted for ratification to the_ group of Indians having a
4-101
4
oommon bond of residence in the neighborhood of Tyonel~, Terri-
tory of Alaska, and wa~ on ~ovember .27, _1939,,düly ratifieclby a
vote of 40 for a.nd 0 agamst, m an election 111 whu:~h over 30 percent
of those entitled to vote east theil· ballots,· ii1 t.tccorùttnee with sectiop
16 of th$ Inclian Reo1·ga.nization Act of· June 18, 1934 { 48 Stnt. 984),
as a.mended by the Act oi June 15, 1935 (49 Stat. 378). .
MAURICE ,V, CARJ\IODY,
GovtrrnM7tt R8pf'eaentatwe.
0
\
4-102
Dms: !v{ISH!>l'-OFF,
Ohai'i"''''tan, Electün-, Board.
N Icx:EFI)R At.a.X.\N, .
Secretary, Election Boorcl.
6707-A
~·
·~
APPENDIX 4-E
INTERIM CONVEYA .. "TCE
Tyonek N,ltive Corporation
is entitlcd to a ~nvcyance pursuant to section::; l4(a) and 22(j) of t.he
Alasl~ Native Cla~ Settlement Act of December 18, 1971 (SS Stat. 688,
702, 715; 4J U.S.C. 1601, 1613(a), 162l(j) (Supp. V, 1975)) of the
surface estate in the following described lands:
U.S. Survey 1865, excluding U.S. Coast Guard navigation
aid AA-14290.
Containing approximately 26,917.56 acres.
NOW KN0\-1 YE, th.o.t there is, there.fore, granted by the UNITED STATES
OF M:ERICA, unto the above-named corporation the surface estate in the
land above-described, 'IO HAVE AND TO qoLD the said estnte with all the
rights, privileges, ir.rmunities, and appurten.ances, of whatscever nature,
thereunto belonging, unto the said corporation, its succcssors and
assi~n~, fo~ever;
EXCEPTING AND RESERVING IO Tt!EUNITED STATES from the lands so
granted:
...
v
,-··
1.
2.
A right-of-way the~eon fm; ditches and canals constructe.d by
the authority of the tJnited States, as prescribed ami directed
by the act of August 30, 1890, 26 Stat. 391; 43 U.S.C. 945;
A right-of-... ay thereon for the construction of raiJ.roadn,
telegraph, and telephone lines, as prescribl~d und dir•Jcted by
the act of Ha1:ch 12, 1914, JS Stat. 305; 43 U.S.C. 975d;
'
3. The subsurface estate therein, and all rights, privileges
immunities, ;:tnd appu:z;tenatlce."l, of wh.:1 tsocver n.::; ture, accruing
unto said estate pursuant to the .\lasl"w. Native Cla:in1s Settlt.~
metlt Act of December 18, 1971 (85 Stat. 68S, 704; 43 U.S.C.
1601, 1613(f) (Supp. V, 1975)); and
4. Pursuant to section 17(b) of the /ùaska Nuti':e Cl:aill'.s Settle-
ment Act of Deccmber 18, 1971 (85 Stat. 633, 708; 43 U.S.C.
1601, 1616(b) (Supp. V, 1975)), the followin.~~ r>ubl.lc easements
referenceàby easement identifl~ation number (EIN) on the
easement map in c.1se file AA-6i07-EE are re::>crved to the
Unit~d States and subjcct to furt:hiH' regulnt:ton th(~reby:
a. (EIN 1 C, D, D9t Dl) A cont.i.w.1ous linc::n: ease:mcnc tt..;enty·~
f ive (.:~5) feet in ',..ridth upland of and par;]ll,?.l to the
mean high t.ide line in orJer to provide ac::css to and
along the !naritH~ coastl:Lne and use of such shore f·~J:
purposes cuch as beaching of watercraft or aircraft,
travcl along the shore, :x:ecre.J.ticn, and ether siruilar
uses; proll'icled th.:-it the f;.,.;e.nty-five. (25) foot marine
coastline ease.tnent shall be rcduced tc a ten (lO) fcJt
width for uny per:nnneut fiah ca:np whi.:h has at l.~act on:.:
"-~ ~. • 4
Inter it'Cl Conveyancl.l No.
~·. ~i .r 1. {' .~-.P '-"·
~:~r~,E 3 l ! 4-103
T):'ltl"
f"'M-V!Vt-1"1
b.
c.-
.8.l:'J:'.C.!'llJl..4 "1'-L. \I..VIIl.J
perm..1.ncnt structure. withln twcnty-f lve (::: 5) fe c-t of the
mean high tide line and is ln ex~stence on the date of
conveyance. The ten (10) foot cnscment is to run ten
(10) feet upland of and parallcl to the rne~n high tide
line and shall be two hundred (200) feet in length, one
hund.red (100) feet ott each sidr:-of the approximate center
of the fish camp measured in directions gcnerally parallel
to. the mean high tide line. Deviations f-rom the waterline
are perm.itted when specifie conditions so r!..!qnire, e.g.,
impassa'ble topography or waterfront obGtruction. This
easement is su'Qject·to the right of the owner of the
servient estate to build upon such eilscment a fncility.
for public or p.rivate.purposes, such right to he exercised
rea&;9nably and without un4ue or unrw<::cessary :interference
~ith or obstruction of the casernent. ~1en acccss along
the marine coastline easement is to be obstruc.tPd. the
o...rnet of the servient estute will be obllgnted to convey
to the United s.tates an acceptable altcrnate access
route, at no cast to the United States, prier to the
creation of such obstru~tlon.
(EIN 15 C) Th~ right of the United States to enter upon
the lands herein gran~ed for cadastral, gecdetic, or
ot.her survey purposes is reservéd, together \vi.til the
right to do all things necessary in connec.tion therewith.
(E!N 16 C) Easements for the transportation of energy,
fuel, and natural resources which are the property of the
United States or which a:re intcnded· for delivet:y to the
United States or which are produced by the United States •. •
These e:.~sements also include the right to buUd any
related facilitics necessary for the œxcrci3e of the
right to transport energyt fuel, and natural resources,
including those related facilities necessary during
periods of planning, locating, constructing, operating,
maintaining, or t::erminating transportation systems. The
specifie locàtion of these ~al'lements sha 1.1 be dc~termined
only after consultation with the mmer of the servient
estate, , i-Jhenever the use of such casernent will require
re moval Ot' rel oeil tion of any Structure o·wncd O.t' authorized
by the o....mer of the servient estate, such use shall not
be initio.ted without the consent of the owner cf such
improvement; providcd, however, that the linit:c~d States
may exercise the right of eminent domain if such consent
is not givcn. Only thosc portions of these easements
that are actually in use or that are cxp!'e.nsly authorized
on March 3, 1996, shall conti.nue ta be in force.
d. (ElN 22 C4) A one-quart;;,-r (1/4) .:lt:re e:wement for an
existing stream gaging station in the~~' sec. 29, T. 12 N.,
~. 11 W., Seward Meridian, on the right bank of the
Chuitna River.
THE GRANT OF THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED Lf,J·WS IS SUBJECT TO:
1. Issuance of a patent cortfirming the boundary description of
the lands h•lrrünabove srantcd aftcr :~pprovai und f iling by the
Interim Conveyapce No.
08~?
D<1te MAi• :) .l. l;ilS 4-104
--~------~
1, ,,r/J '~
"0}-A __,
L
·~
2.
3.
4.
s.
Bureau of Land 'Management of the offici.al plat of survey
covering such lands;
Valid existing rights therein, if any, including but not
limited to those creatcd by ar.y lcase (including a lease
:!.ssued under section 6(g) of the Alaska Statehood Act of
Ju1y 7, 1958 (72 Stat. 339, 341; 48 U.S.C. Ch. 2, Sec. 6(g)
(1970))), contract, permit, right-of-t·Jay, or ~asement and the
right of the lassee, contt'actee, permittee, or r;r,lntee to the
complete enjoyment of all r:lghts, privileges, and benefits
thereby granted to him;
Requirements of section 14{,:) of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act of Decembcr 18, 1971 (85 Stat. 688, 70J;
43 U.S.C. 1601, 1613(c) (Supp. V, 1975)), that the grantee
hereunder convey those portivns, if any, of the lands herein-
above granted, as are prescribed in 3aid section;
The terms and conditions of the ngre:~mcnt dated J;:,.nuary 18,
1977, between the Secretary of the Interior, Couk Inlet
Region, !ne., Tyonek Native Corporation and other Cook Inlet
village corporations. A copy of the agreement is hereby
a ttached to and made a part of this conveyanr.r; document; and
The following third-"pat·ty interest, crea ted nnd ide.ntified by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as provided by section 14(g)
of the Alaska Native Claims Scttlenent Act of Ikcember 18,
1971 (85 Stat. 688, 704; 43 U.S.C. 1601, 1613(.;~) (Supp. V,
1975)):
Right-of-wny for underground gns pipeline
(1) File ~o. 72-1 traversing sdected lands in the former
sections 22, 23, 25, 26 und 27, T. 11 N .• R. 12 W.,
Seward Heridinn.
IN WITNESS HHEREOF, the undersigned uuthorized offieer of the
Bureau of Land Management has, in the namc of the United States, set his
hand and causeJ thé seal of the Bureau to be hereunto affixed ou this
31st day of Ma.rch, 1978 in Anchorage, Alaska.
UNITED ST/\TES OF ~ŒRtCA
'-/-?J ~ ' l ----! /~. ':'~/}·~~
------:---:---:---·---·-·· Chief, Division of
Techni~nl Service~
t.~ .. } r .. ~fll""'-7
Interim Conveyance No. __ U.{J _: __ _
Do. te MAR 3 1 1978
4-105
!NTERIH CONVEYANCE
WHEREAS
Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
is entitled to a corrveyance pursuant ta sections 14(f) and 22(j) of. the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of December 18, 1971 (85 Stat. 688,
704, 715; 43 u.s.ç. 1601, 1613(f), 162l(j) (Supp. V, 1975)) of the
subsurface •astate reserved to the United States in the hereinbelow
identified interim. conveyance of the surface estate in. t:he following
desc:r:ibed lands: . 1
INTERIM CONVEY.Ai"lCE NO. 0 87
U.S. Survey 1865, excluding U.S. Coast Guard navigatlon aid AA-14290.
Containing approxirnntcly 26,917.56 ucres.
NOW KNOW YE, that there is, therefore, granted by the UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA, unto.the above-named corporation the subsurface e:state in
the land above-described, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said estate with all
of the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever
nature, t:hereunto belonging, unto the said corporatio:1, its successors
and assigns, forever..
TUE GRANT OF l'HE ABOVE-DESCRI'BED LANDS IS SUU.JgcT TO all the
ëasement:s and right:s-of-way reserved in the aforementioned conveyance of
the surface esta.te, and to valid existing rights, if ;my, in the said
subsurface estate, including but not limited to those created by any
lease (including a lease issucd under section 6(g) of the Alaska Statehood
Act of July 7, 1958 (72 Stat. 3J9, 341; 48 u.s~c. ch. 2, sec. 6(g)
(1970))), contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement, and the right of
the lessee, contractee, permittee, 0r grantee to the complete enjoyment
of all rights, privileges, and benefits thereby granted to him, and the
grant of the lands is further subject to the terms and conditions of the
agreement dated January 18, 1977, between the Secretary of the Interior,
Cook Inlet R~gion, Inc~, Tyonek Native Corporation, and other Cook Inlet
village corporations. A copy of the agreement is hereby attached to and
made a pa.rt of this conveyance document.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned authorized officer of the
Bureau of Land Management ha::~, in the name of the United States, set his
hgnd and ~aused the seal of the Bureau to ba hereunto affixed on this
31st day 'of l'LS.rch~ 1978 in Anchorage, Alaska.
OC}·,..
Interim Conveyance )'j\). ... CJ t_)
Date MAR 31 1318 4-106
UNITED STATES OF A'1ERICA
-/') J ' ,.t ""'f:::d.-1JJ.,LÂ-.r/ ;~-~~ _____ .;/
Chief, Division of
Te~hnical Services
~·
,....;
_, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
PUBLIC NOTICE UNDER AS 38.05.345
Subject to the provisions of AS 38.05 and pursuant to the regulations
promulgated thereunder, the Division of Landsthrough its Planning and
Classification Section is proposing to classify as Reserved Use Lands
the following [Selected] lands: ·
·-·~-----····· ·---~-------~-------------------··-----·--------·---
SUBSUJ6ACE ESTATE
SEWARD MEIUDIAN, ALASKA
BELUGA POOL
T12N. RlOW., Sec. 16 . A11J 1.03 acres+
Sec. 17 A11 exc1. USS 3411, 476 acres+
uss 4543, uss 4542,
Viapan Lake7
.sec. 18 Al1 ex cl. Viapan Lake; 503 acres+
Sec. 19 AllJ 605 acres+
Sec. 20 Al1 excl. uss 34117 216 .. 42 acres+
Sec. 30 Al1 excl. USS 2089, 363.08 acres+
uss 364;
Sec. 31 Al1J 5 acres+
Tl4N. RlOW .. 1 sëc. 16 A11; 640 acres+
Sec. 21 Al1J 640 acres+
sec. 28 Al1J 640 acres+
Sec. 33 AllJ 640 acres+
T .. l4N. R.llW., Sec. 6 All east of the east {left) 360 acres+
bank of the Beluga Ri ver J
Sec.7 All east of the east (left) 140 acres+
bank of the Beluga River;
Sec. 8 'l'hat pe>rtion of the SWZ... east 105 acres±
of the east {left) bank .of
the Beluga River
Sec. 17 A11 east of the ea$t (left) ·355 acres+
bank of the Beluga River1
Sec.. 20 All east of the east (left) 410 acres+
bank of the Beluga River;
Sec. 29 Al1 east of the east (left) 560 acres+
bank of the Beluga RiverJ
Sec. 29 All east of the east (left) 120 acres+
bank of the Beluga River;
sec. 33 All east of the east (left) 125 acres+
bank of the Beluga lU.verr
T.lSN. R.lOW., 'l'hat portion of Tract "A•
further described as
sec. 6 w;, 289 acres+
sec. 7 W'sr 281.5 acres+
4-107
···.0-~·-~---....... ~-----.
TlSN. R.l3W., sec. 12 NB~ excl. Beluga Lake; 30 acres+ ~. -Tl6N. Rl3W. sec. lD All excl. Coal creek . Lake 1 420 acres+
Sec. 11 All incl. USS 3969 Lot 1~ 427.91 acres+
uss 3967 Lots 1,7,8,9,10,11,
exol. · Coal creek Lake;
Sec.. 12 ~ exc1. Coal creek Lake 1 305 acres,i
Seo. l.5 N'; excl. Coal Creek Lake; 290 acres+
Sec. 31 NEJicNE~SW~J 10 acres±
Sèc. 35 NEI:rNEI:rNE~ 10 acres±
SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE ESTATE
SEWARD MERIDIAN, ALASKA
BELUGA l?OOL
T.llN. R.l2W., Sec. 18 Wl,s, NEI:r; 480 acres +
Sec. 19 Wl,NW\1 80 acres +
T.llN. R.l3W .. , Sec .. 12 a.ll;' 640 acres +
Sec. 1.3 El2, NWl;, E~~~ 560 acres +
Sec. 24 NEWE~; 40 acres +
T.l2N. R.lOW., sec. 5 all1 640 acres +
Sec. 6 alli 640 acres +
Sec. 7 all inoluding USS 4545 396 acres +
excluding w~sw~sw~~,
E~SE~SE~~~ and Tukallah
Lake and 'l'hree Mile Ri ver 1
T.l2N. R .. l4l'1., Sec. l all; 640 acres +
Sec. 2 all; 640 acres + . ...,
Sec. 3 all; 640 acres +
. ' -Sec. 4 all; 640 acres +
Sec. 5 all; 640 acres !:.
Sec. 6 all e.Xol. Chakachatna 600 acres +
River;
sec. 7 a11 excl. Chakachatna 426 aeres +
River,
Sec .. a all excl. Chakacha~ 610 acres +
Rivel:-;
Sec. 9 a117 640 acres +
sec. 10 all1 640 acres !:.
Sec. 11 all1 640 acres +
Sec. 12 al1; 640 acres +
Sec. 13 allJ 640 acres +
Sec. 14 allJ 640 acres + -Sec. 15 allJ 640 acres +
··Sec. 16 all; excl. Châkachatna -610 acres +
River, .
Sec. 17 all excl. Chakachatna 460 acres +
Ri9ers
4':' .. ,
\ ..
,Sec. 18 all excl. Chaltachataa 605 acres +
River,
Seq .. 19 ' all excl. Chakacbatna · 603 acres +
t. R;f.ver;
Bec. 20 all excl, Chakachatna 460 acres +
~•ers
4-108
~--·------" -----Sec. 21 all excl. Chakachatna 630 acres + -River;
Sec. 22 all; 640 acres +
' -Sec. 27 allJ 640 acres +
Sec. 28 all excl. Chakachatna 630 acres +
RiverJ
Sec. 30 allJ 601 acres +
Sec. 34 all; 640 acres +
Sec. 35 allr 640 acres +
T.l3N. R.lOW., ····-
'rllat portion of Tract "A" further described
as follows:
Sec. l all excl. NE~l'M~ and 470 acres +
the Beluga River;
Sec. 2 all excl. Beluga River1 440 acres + -Sec. 3 all excl. Beluga Ri ver 1 300 acres +
Sec. 10 all excl. Beluga River; 460 acres +
Sec. 11 ~~ 320 acres +
Sec. 15 allJ 640 acres ::1:
T~l3N. R.l4W., Sec. 1 throuqb
36 allr 2 3 , 008 acres :!:.
T.14N:-·-n:::nrw;, sec. 4 through
-·-.. -----~-· -··---··
9 all; 3, 802 acres :!:.
Sec. 17 through
20 all; 2,528 acres +
Sec. 29 through
~-32 all7 2,536 acres ±.
T.l4N.;. tt;.:l.lw., Sec. l througb
5 allJ 3, 200 acres +
Sec. 6 All west of west (right) 185 acres +
bank of Beluga River,
Sec. 7 All west of west (r~ght) 380 acres +
bank. of the Beluqa River1
Sec. 8 A11 lands_west of the west 508 acres+
(right) bank of the Beluga
River, E~, NWJar
Sec. 9 through
16 -Alli 5, 120 acres _!.
Sec. 17 All west of the west 200 acres +
(right) bank of the Beluga
River;
' ,,
'Sec. 19 AllJ 623 acre:; :!:.
Sec. 19 AllJ 625 acres .:!:_
Sec. 20 All west of west bank of 140 acres ±.
Beluga River;
Sec. 21 through
27 all1 4, 480 acres ±.
Sec. 28 All west of west (right) 50 acres .:!:._
bank of the Beluga River;
Sec. 29 All west of the west 460 acres +
(right) bank of the Beluga
RiverJ
Sec. 30 AJ.l; 627 acres .:!:.
Sec. 31 AllJ 629 acres :!:
Sec. 32 All èxcl. SW\NE~~~, 620 acres +
SE~SW~J _4-109
Sec. 33 All west of west (right) 455 acres ±
bank of the Beluga River;
Sec. 34 through
Sec. 36 All; 1,920 acres ±
T. 14N. R. 13W. , Tract "B" 11,425.20 acres +
T. 14N, R.l4W. , Sec. , 1 through
36 All; 22,946 acres +
T.l5N. R.lOW., That portion of Tract "A" further described as:
Sec. 5 All; 640 acres ±
Sec. 6 E~; 320 acres ±
Sec. 7 E~; 320 acres ±
Sec. 8 All; 640 acres ±
Sec. 9 All; 640 acres +
Sec. 16 through
21 All; 3,788 acres±
Sec. 28 through
33 All; 3,794 acres±
T.l5N. R.llW., Tract "A" and USS 3952, 22,871.39 acres+
excl. lower Beluga Lake;
T.lSN. R.l2W., Tract "A", excl. Beluga 20,675 acres +
Lake, Lower Beluga Lake,
Beluga River ànd
Chichantna River;
TlSN. R~l3W., Sec. 1 All excl. Beluga Lake 590 acres +
and coal creek
Sec. 2 All excl. Beluga Lake; 100 acres ±
Sec. 6 All excl. Beluga Lake; 525 acres ± v Sec. 7 All excl. Beluga Lake; 230 acres +
Sec. 12 All excl. NE!z;NE!t;, Beluga 60 acres + -,
Sec. 13
Lake; 1
All exc1. Beluga Lake and 240 acres +
. Chichantna River;
1 Sec. 15 All excl. Beluga Lake; 10 acres +i
Sec. 16 All excl. Beluga Lake; 5 acres +
Sec. 17 All excl. Be,1ug? Lake; 50 acres +!
Sec. 18 All excl. Beluga Lake; 340 acres ±
1
Sec. 19 All; 615 acres ±1
Sec. 20 All; 640 acres +
Sec. 21 All excl. Beluga Lake; 625 acres +,
Sec. 22 All excl. Beluga Lake; 600 acres +1
Sec. 23 All excl. Beluga Lake; 510 acres +1
Sec. 24 All excl. Beluga Lakd and 510 acres +
Chichantna River;
Sec. 25 through
5,714 acres ±1 33 All;
Sec. 34 All excl. Chichantna 600 acres +
River;
Sec. 35 All excl, Chichantna 615 acres ±[
River; 1
i
Sec. 36 All excl. Chichantna 600 acres +i
River;
1
~
4-110
-----· ------~
-·
T.llN
T.l3N
T.l5N. R.l4W., Sec. l through
36 22,882 acres .±.
T~l6N. R.llW;, Sec. 20 through
T .16N. R.l2W.,
T.l6N. R.l3W.,
-·----··-·-··-···
R12W.,
ru.ow.,
21 Al.lJ 1,~80 acres .±.
Sec. 25 through
36 Al.lJ 7,613 acres+
'l'hat portion of Tract "A" further des;;ribed
as:
Sec. 7 All; 600 acres +
Sec. 16 througb
22 Al.lJ 4,406 acres .±.
Sec. 25 through
29 Alli 3,200 acres .±.
Sec. 30 All incl. uss 3947J 601 acres +
Sec. 31 througb
36 AllJ 3,807 acres +
That portion of Tract "A" further described
as:
Sec .. 1 through
9 AllJ 5,679 acres.:!:.
Sec. 12 ~~ 320 acres +
Sec. 13 through
14 Allr 1,280 acres .±.
Sec. 15 ~l 320 acres +
Sec. 16 through
30 A11; 9,492 acres .±.
Sec. 31 -All 'exc1. Beluga Lake and 467 acres +
Sec. 32
Sec. 33
Seo;. 34
Seo. 35
Sec. l6
Sec. 18
Sec. 19
Seo. 20
Sec.. 11
Sec. 12
NEi.(NEi.(SWl.&;
A11 excl. Beluga Lake,
All excl. Belu9a Lllke;
All excl. Beluga LakeJ
A11 excl. NEZùŒi.(NE~J
AllJ
SURFACE ESTATB
SEWA'RD MElUDIJUi, ALASKA
5~;
~NW"', NE"', N~SE"' 1
AllJ
that Portion of Tract "A"
further described as:
El,;
All West of West (right)
Bank of Beluga River
excluding that parcel.
Commencing at M.c. No. l
u.s .. Survey 3901J thence
North along the meanders
of the Beluga River 800
feet to Corner No. 1
(Common to Corner No. 4
A.D.L. 49427)r thence
Southeast 84 èlegrees 25
minutes, 544. 5 feet to
4-_lll
440 acres +
500 acres +
615 acres +
630 acres +
640 acres +
160 acres+
320 acres_!
640 acres+
320 acres+
550 acres±
""
r-........ -~~-· -" '.
Seè. 13
Sec. 14
Sec. 22
Sec. 23
Sec. 24
Sec.. 25
Sec. 26
Sec. 27
Sec. 34
Sec. 35
Corner Sc.. 2 { C(llll1Dt(lft to
Corser Ho. 3 A.D.L. 49427)r
thence North · 660 feet to
Corner No. 3t thence
East 990 feet to Corner
No. 4 (Common to the right
bank of the Beluga River)7
thence South along the
meanders of the Beluga
Ri ver to cOrner No. l the
point of beginning of this
metes and bounds description;
containing 15 acres and
situated within Section 121
and u.s .. s. 39Ql
'l'll:N, JU.OW, S.K.
All WeJilt of West (right)
Bank of Beluga River,
All;
Allr
Alli
All;
630 acres+
640 acres+
640 acres+
640 acres+
640 acres+
AllJ 297.53 acres+
Alli 584.70 acres+
ÀllJ 640 acres+
All excl. OSS 3596;
oss 39631 602.92 acres_±
All excl.o OSS 39621 83.41 acres+
SUbsequent to the classification of these landS the Division of Lands pr99oses
to convey s.aid lands to the United States for the purpose of reconveyance to Cook ·
Inlet Region, :tnc. , under the "Terms and Conditions for Land Consolidation and
Management in the Cook Inl&t Area."
The conveyance of the described lands are subject to the following valid existing
rightst ·
Coa.l Lease
2508l
36283
36323
64526
75703
BELUGA POOL
VALID RIGHTS
MiningClaiJQ
303117 to 303132
SWP
67095
60882
4-112
Oil & Gas Iease
41878 57565
46578 57567
47878 58020
48928 58133
49787 59865
50119 60129
~
~
'~
-'
ROW Per
28471
32180
32183
33939
34126
34494
37198
56013
57588
58034
200680
'l'br. Sale
60524
Mat. Sale
81259
Coal x.ease
33557
ROW Permit
57236
56583
Ltr. Permit
57798
MLOP
37463
Coà.1 Pros.. Per
64545
VALID IUGH'l'S
CHICALOON
ROW Permit
52374
2311
VALID RIGH'l'S
KNIK
Oi1 & Gi;l.s Lease
4-113
57oso
55913
52645
73241
50120 62462
50752 62950
51627
51971 62952
52642 63652
53393 64923
53905 66947
54307 67146
54400 67987
54583 68006
56183
56375
56466
57012
57014
-----~-~-........ __ _
·~"'-""'-~ ... ''"""' ~~··~ -· ... -. VALII> lUGH'l'S
. Hnttl.ICHIJ.t
Oi1 and Gas Lease
68001
56990
56996
56041
59625
42865
42343
40832
63236
45961
A determination of whether or not any bOdy of water ai waterway wi thin or adjoining
the subject lands is navigable und.er the laws of the Sta~ of Alaska has not been
made. Thi.s subject will be adaressed prior to the conveyanca of the suhject lands to
the United States.
Maps delineating the proposed conveyance lands are availahle for public review and
inspection at the fe>llowi.nt location: Alaska Department of Natural Resources,
Divis.ion of Lands, Planning and Classification Section, 323 E.-4th Avenue, Anchorage,
Alaska 99501 ..
Written canments re1atin9' to the proposed conveyance action must be received by
the Plannin9 and Classificat~on Se,ction of thé Division of Lands, 323 E. 4th Avenue,
Anchorage, Alaska 9tSQl OC\ or befora 4s30 P••· • OCtober 30, 1978 in ord.er to be
considered. Plea.se direct said correspondance to Stephen Reeve, Chief, Plann.1.uy
and Classification Section, Alaska oiviJSion of Lands.
The Division of Lands reserves the riqbt to waive any technical defects in this
notice ..
4-114
~
~
·~
_-/
APPENDIX 4-F
,'·':f ·•.
TRtnAL ~INED __!xonek Reserve
!NDIV!DUALLY <Y..mED -----
GOVERNHENT avHED ------
FlLE NO. __ 7..;..2_-1 _____ _
GRANT OF EASEMENT FOR R!GliT-OF-\~AY
KNCY.I ALL HCN BY TH.ESE l1RESEliTS:
That tho United Stotes of AmericD, tlcting by nnd through Roy Poratrovich,
Burct~u of Indian Affatrn. Dcpsrtment of tho Intcrior, Superintcndent,
Anchorage Agency, here1nilfter rcferred tc oo "Grontor", undor cuthority
contoincd in the Act of Harch 11, 1904 (33 Stct 65) os emandod by the Act of
Mllrch 2, 1917 (39 Stat 973); nnd pursu.cnt to the provieions of the Act of
1-'ebrusry 5, 1948 (62 Stut 17; 25 U.S.C •. 323-326), and Pt:~rt 161, 'l'itlc 25,
Code of Fedarnl Re gu lat toM, in cons idorntion of $1, 67~, the t'eceii;)t of
t.;hi.ch iB eckno<Jledbcd, doe!.l hcrcby grant to the Y..Irtrtlthcm Ot l_CfPr:·~lnY. cm
Union Oi 1 Comp11ny of_Cpl i fo,r!'ia 7 ito · flucccssore. and a sn igne, hercinaftcr
referrcd to es 11 Grnnteen t an casernent for rir,ht-of .. ,:ny for the follouing ·
purpose, ntJ1:1ely: "The right. cvnet!!ent, Lmd priv1.legc to con3truct,
opcrntc snd matntnin an underground gns pipclino vith ne:cectHJry appu:.-tennnces
thereon or therein, togethar wlth the rlght of ingresa and cgrecs wh€n
ncc(~ssary for thé above mar.tion.zd put'poaes, through, 11 on, ov<!r, under nnd
s.cro:Jo the land er,1braced 'ldthin the right·of•vay sit:ueted on the follO'.:ing
dcocribed lnnds locnted uithln the Ho0uûwkt~ Rescrvotion, St~te of Aleska:
Secttona 22, 23, 25, 26 & 27, To~nship 11 North 1
Runge 12 West, Sc<:atd Hctidil!n.
4-115
: ~ ..
',11
APPENDIX 4-F (cont)
'rhe said essement, as eh~n on the trnct mep att.!lched hereto, limtted to
end ~ore part!culsrly clescrib~d cs:
As shawn on attached plat
• This ease:uent: is aubject to nny prtor vDUd exiDting right or adverse
cleim and !s ror a tcrm of 20 v~Jars frO!!l thnt dnte of lll'ln·ovnl, oo lonr, ns
ssid ensoment ohall be actuslly us~d for the put·pose auovc ::~pcci.fied;
PROVIDEtl 1 that this right .. ot ..... ray shall be tennin-.blc in ~hole or in part by
the Grantor for ony of the fclloving causes upon 30 d~ya' tlrittcn notice and
fsiluro of the Crantee wiC:hin 'ssid notice pariod to correct the basia of
terminution (25 CFR 161.20):
A. Failuro to comply uith cny tcrm or condition of the
grant or the appliccblc reeulotionD.
n.· A nonuso of tho rir.,ht-of•'\..'l!Y for ç coMecuti.va L~Jo-ycor
poriod for tho purpose for which ·tt Ysa gr~nted.
C. An sbanclo~ent of the right-of~ay.
O. Fatturo of the Crantee, upon capplction of const~uctton.
to file vith the Crantor en affidavit of eompletion
purs~nt to 25 CFR 161.16.
Th<! condition of thio easernent shnl t c:ttcnd to ~né bC:! binding upon
and shnll inuro to the benefit of the aucccc~oro nnd.asolgns of tho Gr~n:ea.
IN H!'l1ŒSS tnrt:REOF, Cranter hu cxccuted thia er~nt or eo(tcmcnt
this /,.,· dsy of Dectmber, 1971. -
tnr!TED STATES CI: ...A!-!ERICA 1) ;·-. -1 . .' -
. ~-1"1 :j~ .,... /.
·.: .. ,,,.,., ,"' ,1": ' ' ,8" .'.' _ ..... .-/_.,! __ ·. By • . ' .. :, ( ' / .• . / . ,.-. . . ~ • 1 ~ . • ,· . ' . . \
4-116
U.S./0.:-parttncnt: of til~ Intcrior
Bure~u of Indian Aff~lrs
'w
~
L LL-17
L-~-17 a .. m6 kJ
(lUO~) 3-v XIaNaddV
A9010NHJ31 1\fOJ
S ~31d\fHJ
-------------~--------
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 5
COAL TECHNOLOGY
The Beluga Coal Field has two important assets: It is located near
tidewater, and its subbituminous coa1 has a low sul fur content. For these
and other reasons, development of the field is being seriously considered.
A prel iminary examination has been made to determine potential uses of
this coal-field within the next decade.
However, the re are numerous op ti ons a va il able throughout the devel opment
process fran the method of recovery to 1 ts end use. With the increasing
national emphasis on coal for electrial generation or as. a source of
synthetic fuels, the number of potentially feas~ ble al ternat ives appears
to be expanding. This chapter describes various coal technologies which
might be employed at Beluga.
In 1977, the Alaska Oepartment of Natural Resources, Division of Geo-
logical and Geophysical Surveys developed a large color map of Alaska
showing not only the energy resources in Alaska, but al so ènergy oper~
· ations. Included are all of the coal generating facilities, capatity in
megawatts, location, and the size and loca.tion of the major electrical
transmission lines.
COAL RECOVERY
With advances in equipment and technology, surface mining of coal has been.
replacing underground mining in the United States since 1915. Surface
mine production currently comprises· hal f of the total United States coal
production.
The cast per ton of surface mined coal is less than that of sub-surface
mined coal because of the rela.tive ease of obtaining the mineral. As the
primary costs for su rf ace mined coal are for equi pme nt and maintenance,
strip-mine produced coal is more economical on a large scale.
---=~---------ill)lll!illlll--llililillllllir~
The decision as to which mode of coal mining should be anployed will be
detennined by the stripping ratio, i.e. cubic yards of overburden to tOhs
of marketable coal. A surface mining depth of less than 180 feet is the
current limitation imposed by a va il able machinery.
SURFACE
Importantly, the recoverable coal is increased from approximately 50% in
underground mines to nearly 85% in surface mines. Surface mining pennits
rec~very of coal where coal bed thinness, multiple beds close together,
spltt seams, roof characteristics, or other geologie conditions would
prevent extraction by underground methods (Tetra Tech, 1976).
The basic functional steps of surface coal mining begin with the removal
of the overbu rden, the earth and rock covering the coal se am. After the
overburden is fragmented with explosives, it is "spoiled" at the side of
the pit opposite the eut. The exposed coa 1 1 s th en broken up and removed.
Finally, the spoiled overburden is back-filled and vegetation is restored
to the area.
Machines used in surface mining range in size from trucks, bulldozers and
front-end loaders to gigantic power shovels and draglines. These shovel s
and draglines are the worldJs largest mobile land machines; the biggest
dragline available is capable of picking up 180 cubic yards per scoop.
Surface mining can be developed along three lines depending upon the
physical characteristics of the area to be mined:
Area coal seams running relatively parallel to flat or rolling
surface.
Contour-mountainous or hilly terrain.
Open Pit -coal beds are extremely thick or sharply pitched.
5-2
Part· of the exposed coal may be augered for further extraction once the
normal surface operations have reached their economie 1 imits as shown in
Figure 5-l.
UNDERGROUND
Underground mining systems can be classified according ta the equipment
used. In the conventional and continous systems, about half of the coal is
removed from the seam, leaving the rest as· pillars ta support the mine
roof. Roqf supports are installed and the coal pillars are sometimes
removed for the additional coal.
The conventional method is to use sparkproof ·explosives or compressed air
to shatter the coal. The continuous mining method is employed in the
extraction of 'over hal f of the coal mined underground in the United
States. This method uses a single machine ta mechancially break and load
the coal •
In the longwall mining system, hydraulic yielding jacks support the roof
along the immediate face of removal. As the face advances, the roof be..:.
hindis allowed to collapse.
The shortwall system uses continous or conventional mining systems in
conjunction with longwall roof supports to extract the coal pillars (Tetra
Tech, 1976).
RECOVERY . EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA
Early coal production in Alaska came fran a number of underground mines.·
Between 1916 and 1940, production was primarily bituminous coal from the
Wishbone Hill di strict of thè Ma tanus ka Goal Field and subbituminous coal ' .
fran the Healy and Suntrana areas of the Nenana Goal Field. Within teri
years of its introduction in 1943, surface mining became the dominant
means of extraction in Alaska.
5-3
'ù'<~~'\<:::.~~
~~\û.\\\~~ _.,....
REMOVAL OF OVERBURDEN
COAL REMOVED BY FRONT-END LOADER
COAL REMOVED BY AUGER
Source; Phelps, Edwin R. llèm.nt1 of PractiCfll Coal Miniftfl. Battimore: Port City Press, 1973.
Figure 5-l
Contour Mi ni ng with Bulldozer and Auger ·.~;
Source: Tetra Tech, Inc., Energy From Coal: AState of Art Review, p. IV-3.
5-4
~· Currently, Alaska's only major commercial operation of coal is a surf'ace
mine at Usibelli which extracts about 700,000 tons per year. A dragline
with a 33 cubic yard capacity was recently constructed at Usibelli.
PLANS FOR BELUGA
President Carter's emphasis on conversion to coal as a national policy has
prompted interest in opening the Beluga Coal Field. At Beluga,
conventional su rf ace mi ni ng equlipment su ch as trucks, scrappers, front-end
··loaders and draglines for overburden removal will be considered. If
overburden must be moved very far, bucket wheel s may be used (Patsch,
1978). The planned rate of coal extraction will 1 argely determiné the
specifie equipment employed.
BENEFICIATION
Beneficiation, the preparation of coal(s) prior to usage, has been
practiced, with varying degrees of proficiency, from the time coal was
first used. Consisting of any or all of the following, the beneficiation ·
of coal enables man to ut il ize its heating or chemical qual ities to their
fullest:
Raw coal preparation
Size reduction (breaking or crushing)
Screening
Cleaning (wet or dry methods)
Drying
5-5
1
1
RAW COAL PREPARATION
To improve product q1,1al ity and unifonni ty, various underground preparation
methods can be used depending upon the specifie geographie location and
seam characteristics of the raw coal.
Sampling the entire mine area provides a basis to detennine optimum mining
and preparation methods. Selective mining can then be employed to
maintain unifonnity in chemical quality, eliminate removable impurities,
regulate si.zes and size ratios, and control moisture content. Thus, the
coal obtained can better satisfy predetennined market re.quirements by
selecting or blending coals of several characteristics from the area
(Anderson in Leonard, 1968).
Futher treatment ·Of the raw coal prior to mechanical beneficiation
involves the removal of large pieces of tramp iron and other impurities.
Tramp iron must be removed fran the coal prior to further beneficiation as
the iron can damage equipment and lead to expensive down-time and repairs.
The primary means of removi ng tramp iron i s by magnetic attract:ioh
involvi ng:
1. a protative electranagnet which lifts the iron from the coal,
2. a pennanent type magnet which is a self-cleaning version of
the above but is slow and inefficient, or
3. an electromagnetic pulley that is expensive but highly
efficient. ·
. Hand picking, the earliest fonn of coal preparation, is still used to
remàve impuri ti es. Fi rst used to remove pi eces wi th an objection ab 1 e
outward appearance, it is still practiced on the plus one;..in. sizes, and
especially on the plus four-in. and larger sizes (Anderson in Leonard,
1968}.
5-6
·-..J
,...~
\~ SIZE REDUCTION (BREAKING & CRUSHING)
As of 1967, 65 percent of the coal in the United States underwent ben'e-
ficiation processes involving breaking and crushing. Reduction of
particle size facilitates the cleaning process and supplies the variety of
uniform sizes,demanded by end users.
The reduction i s accompli shed through two or mor,e stag,es of mechanical
action involving impact, compression, splitting, shearing, or attrition.
Primary breakers reduce the raw coal to a maximum size of four to eight ',
inches for washing and other preparation. The various sizes may be
screened before del ivery t9 different washing units and the secondary
crushers where it is further reduced to sizes from about 1~ or 1 3/4 to,
0-in (McClung in Leonard, 1968).
Breaki ng and sizi ng activi ti es are extremely efficient. Processing 10 12
BTU 1 s of coal consumes about 2.0 x 109 BTU 1 s of the energy, of which 80-,85.
percent is provided by electricity and the remainder by oil. Costs for
breaking and s izing operations in 1972 were about $2,250 per 10 12 'BTU 1 s of
which 87 percent were operating costs and 13 p·ercent fixed costs. This
approxima tes $0.002 per million BTU 1 s or $0.055 per ton of co al (Sci-ence·
and Public Policy Program, 1975).
SCRÈENING
The sizing of coal fragments, its separation into groups of particles
ranging between defined maximum and minimum dimensions, is one of the most
important beneficiation operations. Although it is usually accompanied by
sorne crushing, sizing may often be the only beneficiation operation
performed fran the time the coal is broken at the face until it is
received by'the customer.
Usually, sizing is accanplis~ed by sitting the coal through screens.
Although relatively uncommc:m, very fine particles may be commercially
.,_ separated by differential settling in air or water currents (Shotts in
Leon~ rd, 1968).
5-7
CLEANING
In the cleaning, or washing, of coal, two categories of methods are used.
The fi rst, wet washing, is most commonly used by coal opera tors. Three
basic methods of wet washing are enployed: 1) flotation of coal on a
magne ti te-pul verized 1 ron ore-sl urry all owi ng impuri ti es the settle out;
2) entraining the coal in an upward flow of water; and 3) froth flota:tion
which employs chemicals to make the coal water-repellent, allowing it to
attach itself to air bubbles and be skimmed off the surface of the water
(Science and Public Po licy Program; 1975).
T~e secpnd cleaning category is the dry washing technique. Basically,
this uses forced air to remove small particles from crushed bituminous
coal. Wh ile not all coal s can be pneumatically cleaned, it is the, most
acceptable method in terms of delivered BTU cost (Leonard, 1968).
~
Washing is generally 96-97 percent efficient, depending on the pe·rcentage "
of feed, that requires washing. For each 10 12 BTU•s washed 2.2-2.4x'1o 9 ~
BTU•s are required of which 80 percent is supplied by electricity. Costs
for washing in 1972 were approximately $11,900 per 10 12 BTU 1 s of which 24
percent was for fixed costs and 76 percent for operating costs. This, ;,s
approximately $0.012 per million BTU's or $0.31 per ton of coal assuming
an energy content of 26 x 10 6 BTU's per ton.
The water requirements for wet washing operations varies wi th the specifie
method employed. Battelle indi ca tes that an average of 1 ,500 to 2,000
gallon.s of water are required for each ton of coal washed. Tenakron,
however, estimates. only 524 gallons are used per ton, of which 18 gallons
a re con sumed. in the proces s.
The sol ids generated during any washing process total about 4,000 tons of
every 10 12 BTU's. For a typicàl plant processing 500 tons of coal per
hour, approximately 1,000 tons of waste which must be disposed of. ar~
generated da'ily, depending on the type of coal (Science and PU.blic Pol icy
Prog ram, 1975) •
5-8
DRYING
Drying of coal is required regardless of the washing method employed.
Drying is a costly project and is usually accomplished by forcing hot air
streams over the wet coal (Science and Public Po licy Program, 1975).
Surface moisture m~ be removed for a variety of reasons:
1) facilitation of handling, shipment, and storage, including the
avoidance of freezing;
2) maintenance of high pulverizer capacity;
3) increase in heating efficiency by reduction of heat lost through
evaporation during burning;
4) increase in qual ity when coal will be used to produce coke,
briquettes, or chemicals;
5) reducti<m of transportation costs through lower ship,ping
weights;
6) facilitation of dry coal washing processes (Leonard, 1968).
Industrial coal dryers employ continuous direct contact and convection to
dewater coal. Coal dryers can be grouped into six basic types: (1)
fluidized bed, (2) suspension or Flash, (3) Multi-Louvre, (4} vertical
tray and Cascade, (5) continuous carrier and (6) drum type (Leonard,
1968).
A considerable amount of dust is produced and collected in the drying
process. If used as fuel to heat dryer gases, collected dust can provide
all or most of the heat required for drying. To reduce dust during
subsequent handl ing and lasses during transport due to wind, the
application of 1.5 to 2.0 gal s./ton of heavy oil has been found to be
quite successful (Ellman, 1975).
5-9
EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA
Res.earch on washabil i ty of Al as kan coal s supplementing the efforts of the
U. S. Department of Energy ( formerly U .S. Bureau of Mines) has been
recently published (RAO, 1978). Nine coal samples were collected from the
Nenana, Jarvis Creek and Matanuska coal fields. These samples were
crushed to 38mm, 8mm, and 14 mesh sizes and sinkfloated at 1.30, 1.40, and"
1.60 specifie gravities. The products were analyzed for moisture, ash,
heating value, total sul fur, and pyritic sulfur and washabil ity data WaS
calculated and tabulated.
The results showed that subbituminous 11 C" coals from the Nenana field
could yield products ranging in heating values from 10,500 to 11,500
btu/lb with 0.25% sul fur on a moisture free basis. 'Subbituminous 11 C11 coal
from Jarvis Creek could be upgraded to more than 11,000 btu/lb on a dry
. basis and sul fur could be reduced to less than 1% after crushing to 14.
mesh. High volatile 11 B'' coal from Premier Mine gave a product with a
. heating value of 13,300 btu with 0.42% sul fur wh ile high volatile 11 A11 coal
from Castle Mountain produced 14,400 btu/lb with 0.49% sulfur, both on a
dry basis. {For a sample analysis of coal from the Beluga coal field, ·see .
Appendix 5-C.)
Currently, the Usibelli Coal Mine crushes and screens coal to 4 inch
minus. About 10-15% of the coal is washed, depending upon specifications
which vary fran eus tomer to eus tomer.
BENEFICIATION AT BELUGA
Beneficiation technol ogy to be used for the Beluga coal has not been
detennined at this time. Inevitably, however, tt will depend upon
cust~er specifications.
5-10
;..,
/~
STORAGE
Coal is unique in its storage characteristics. It is the only fossil fuel
that may be stored in any quantity, for any time period, indoors or out,
on surface or under water, wi th safety, and at low cost. Storage may
occur at the mine, preparation plant, and user's plant and is classified
accordi ng to purposed use. , L ivè or active storage feeds di rectly to
firing equipment and is usually kept under cover. Reserve or inactive
storage is normally stockpiled outdoors.
Storage policies will vary according to plant size and type, coal
characteristics, transportation facili ti es from the mines, seasonal
fluctuations in demand, , and storage facilities. The amount of active
storage is usally 3 to 7 days supply, while reserve stockpiles are for a
30-day supply or 20% of annual consumption, whichever is grea ter.
OUTSIDE STORAGE
Outside storage piles shoul d be located in open,
hard-surfaced si tes that a void heat elements of any ki nd.
well drained,
Although piles
are canmonly conical, wedge and kidney shapes can be used to increase
capacity.
Uncompacted piles may be used by plants requiring less than 500 tons of
outside storage. Using double-screened· or slack coal, these piles should
not exceed 20 feet in height, reductions being made in relation to the
coal's reactivity.
Canpacted coal piles should always be used for larger reserve piles.
Successive layering and compaction seal out air and water, minimizing.
spontaneous heating and reducing heating-value loss to no more than one·
percent (Figures 5-2 and 5-3).
If stockpiles are properly built, further sealing is usually not required.
~ However, for additional protection, the pi le may be capped with as phal t,
road tar, or a 6 inch layer of fine coal (~ x 0 inches) anchored by a 4
inch layer of at least 2 x 0 inch (National Coal Association, ND).
5-11
Haphazard St•cki ng,-Show1ng Air Circulation
figure S-2
Cross section of C001pacted Pile
Figure 5..;3
Segregatio.tt~f OJffe.r:e:.nt Siles of Coal
in Con ica 1 Pile.
Figure 5-4
Source: "CQal Storage Methods, 11 Fuel Engineering Data, National Coal
Association, Washhtgton, D.C.
5-12
~
'-
·~
STORAGE EFFECTS
The followi ng effects of storage vary accordi ng to the characteristics of
the co al in . question and the storage method used. These effects are
al most el iminated in a correctly compacted stockpile. In-plant live
storage no.nnally presents few probl ems because of i ts 1 ocati on and rapid
usage.
Coal s, especially those of lower rank such as subbituminous and lignite,
suffer fran slacking. Ouring 1 wann weather, gradu,al moi sture evaporation
cracks and breaks up the coal parti cl es wi th exposed su rf aces.
1 •
Changes in burning characteristics are important in sl ack-s ize coal s. Its
caking tendencies may decrease significantly, improving efficiency in some
types of fuel-burning equipment. After long storage, kindl ing·
temperatures may rise and mineral matter may oxidize to some extent.,
Deterioration in heating value varies widely, depending upon the method of
storage and the climate. For example, an uncanpacted West Virginia coal
showed a loss in heating value of 1.2 percent the first year, while a
compacted storage pile of Central Pennsylvania slack lost only 0.3 percent
after six years (National Co?ll Association, ND).
Spontaneous canbustion is more likely to occur with coals of high
bed-moisture, oxygen, and volatile content, the properties of the low-rank
coals. For example, Australian brown coal ignites at about 200°C.
(392°F). The main cause of spontaneous canbustion is the absorption of
oxygen by the coal , a process which generates heat and produces carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water. However, law-temperature oxidation
is complex and not completely understood.
Catalysts, such as pyrite (FeS 2 ), can occur in the coal. Although the
effects of pyrite are disputed, experts believe that it unites with oxygen
and water to-fonn sulfuric acid and iron sulfate. The heat generated in
this process raises the temperature and oxidation rate of the coal.
Pyrite, however, can be removed by washing (Sondreal, 1974).
5-13
The heating process is dependent on the total coal surface exposed to the
air. Air currents within a pile not only carry away heat, but also sup,pl.Y
oxygen for canbust.ion. Larger lumps fall to the outside when coal·i.s
piled by letting 1t drop into a conical pile (Figure 5-4). This creates a
spectrum of conditions, one of which may provide the heating and
ventilation ideal for combustion. Wet storage of coal, in contrast, cools
the coal, but al ters ventilation and increases pyrite activity.
When dried coal is used, it is important that it be cooled before stock-
pi1 ing. The greatest danger is during the initial storage period and any
additional heat will encourage spontaneous combustion (Figures 5-5 and
5-6).
Goal pile fires can usually be extinguished by isolating the burning coal
fran the pile. Water may be temporarily effective, but excessive moisture
will increase the rate of oxygen absorption in the coal. Carbon dioxide
may also be used but, as with water, heating is likely to redevelop
(National Coal Association, ND).
Surface moisture may cause winter freezing problems. These can be
prevented by usiAg large, double-screened coal and/or thermally dried,
oil-treated coal • Dried coal shoul d be cool ed to ambient temperature
before stockpil ing to prevent the subsequent release and condensation of.
water vapor (Paulson, 1975).
çoal storage facilita tes bl endi ng, allows mi n.es and plants to function
more independently, and pennits adjustments for fluctuations in demand and
weather conditions (Tetra Tech, 1976).
EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA
Goal storage in Alaska has encountered few difficulties. On occasion, a
customer in the Interior Region will sprinkle coal with water to settle
dust and if this action is followed be very cold weather, the result is a
5-14
'vJ
·~
.._,
140r-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--~--~r-~--7ïr-~~-,
120
~
0 40 00 120 160 200 240 280
TIME, dOjl
Figure 5-5
Temperature history of dried subbituminous stockpile.
140r---~--~--~--~----r---~--~--~----~--T---~~~----~--,
120
100
:-
••
~ ... -:·~.·~~("/l'({ç,u;-_,
~
t.ow /;'
Amb••n1 • ,..,.. ......... _ ---...,... ... "" __ .,.,...,.,.
0 40 eq 120 160 200 240 200
TIME, dOJI
Figure 5-6
Temperature history of dried lignite stockpile.
Source: Paulson, Cooley, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Wegert, and Ellman;
11 Ëxperiences in Transportation of Dried Low-Rank Western Coals;11
to be presented at SME Meeting; September 10-12, 1975 .
5-15
"freeze" of the coal which makes handling very di ffi cult. However, the
coal is not washed for shipping, thus avoiding the problern of surfaèe
water. Inherent ( internal) moi sture does not present freezi ng
difficulties.
Golden Valley Electric Association has had sorne minor problems with
spontaneous combustion. At Usibell i, the mine workers me rely remove that
portion which is smoking to a rernote area and allow it to decompose
safely. Wh ile spontaneous combustion occurs occasionally, it is 1 imited
by the low pyritic sulfur content of the Nenana coal. It is further
reduced by the fact that the coal is not dried during beneficiation (Rao
to DEPD, 1978).
In the Beluga Goal District, Placer-Amex is
transporation of coal in oil. (See "Goal
Chapter 6: Transporta ti on.)
GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY
considering the storage ~nd
Transported in a Slurry,"
The technology of burning coal to produce electricity was discussed· èin
Phase I, Volume I Report of this project. An excellent status of com-
. bustion systems is given in "Fossil Energy Research and Development
Program for the U.S. Department of Energy. 11 1978. Since the Clean Air
Act of 1970 and the Amendments of 1977 are extrernely important to the
coal-fired segment of the electric ut il 1 ty industry, an abstract of the
contents of the Act and Amendments are given bel ow (Bromberg, 1978) ~
THE ORIGINAL CLEAN AIR ACT
After a long and frustrating legislative ordeal, the Clean Air Act Amend-
ments .of 1977 were finally signed into law by President Carter on August
7, 1977. This is not a new phi1osophy. The basic framework and
objectives of the 1970 Act have been retained. Certain featur·es have been
strengthened, certain modes of compliance, such as intermittant controls,
have been eliminated as viable options; but the general thrust of
achieving lower ambient air concèntrations of certain pollutants remains
the same.
5-16
,_ ... ·,. )
··...;.
'-'
When the C]ean Air Act of 1970 was enacted, so 2 was considered the major
hazard in emissions fran coal-fired plants. Regulations and enforc~ment,
procedures were established for so 2 on a two tier system. On the national
1 ev el New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) were set for all new
coal-fired generators, limiting their emissions to 1.2 lbs· so 2 per 10 6 BTU
of heat input. This is the maximum all owable Federal emission rate for
new sources. The individual states can, and .often have, imposed more
stringent regulations for urban areas. The objective of these emission
limitations is the attainment qf certain maximum ambient concentrations of
pollutants.
Additionally, each state was required to establish its own State Implemen ... ,
tation Plan (SIP) for the control of so 2 and other pollutants. Th~se
regulations apply to existing plants as well as to new plants if the Stat~
regulations are more stringent than those of the Federal Government.
Pennsylvania, for instance, has a three-tiered SIP for large, stationary1
sources. Plants located in rural a reas are 1 imited to about 4 1 bs.
so 21106 BTU; and plants in urban areas (Pittsburg and Philadelphia} are
limited to about 2 lbs. so 2;1o6 BTU.
The Clean Air Act has also added a new dimension to the design and·
operation of coal-fired boilers. As a result, the sulfur content of coal
has become a characteristic of importance equal to that of the calorific
value and ash content.
The so 2 emissions from coal-fired canbustion plants can be reduced either
by adjusting the feedstock before canbustion or by treating the efflu_ent
gases after combustion, or by a combination of the two. Under the
constrafnts of existing technology there are only three techniques which
are applicable to large sc ale operations. First, be fore combustion, the
sulfur content of the raw coal may be reduced by mechanical beneficiation
or, secondly, alternate sources of low sulfur coal which meets. emission
limitations upon direct combustion may be employed. As the third
alternative, higher sulfur coals may be used, and the so 2 in the effluent
gases removed by lime or limestone flue gas desulfurization (FGD). Alaska
is fortunate in that much ·of Alaska 's coal is lower in sul fur than the
so-called "1ow sulfur11 western coals.
5-17
Active research and devel opment programs are presently underway in a ~,
number of other areas including: chemical desulfurization; magnetic
beneficiation; fluid bed canbustion; regenerable FGD systems as wel'{; a~
coal gasification and liquefaction. At the present time, however, only
the aforementioned three technologies are avaflable.
The use of low sulfur coal is not really a new technology but a change in
fuel supply. Traditionally, "low sulfur" coal has been classed as a coal
with a sulfur content of less than 1 percent. When used as fuel for
canbustion, the tenn '''low sulfur" coal should properly be defined with
respect to the applicable clean air regulation. Before a coal can · be
classified as "low sulfur," the calorific value of the coal must be
detennined, as well as the geographie location of the boiler. Table 5•1
indic:ates the maximum percentage sul fur content of coal s of various BTU
ratings which may be burned and not exceed the indicated so 2 emission
1 imitations.
THE CLEAN AIR ACT AMENQMENTS OF 1977
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 have introduced changes in the Act of
1970. The general objective of improved ambient a ir qual ity rema ins, but
the choice of ccmpliance modes is less clear than previously. In the
past, a ut il ity generally had its choice of technology to meet the.
prescribed emission limit. The options are now more nebulous and "low
sul fur" coal may no longer be a viable mode of compl iance, an important
consideration for Alaska.
The objectives of improved am bi ent air qua 1 i ty standards have been
strengthened as evidenced by the emphasis on best available control
technology (BACT) and lowest achievable emission rates (LAER). The new
amendments have changed the tenn "emission standard 11 to "standard of
performance, •• a wordi ng change which may have a great impact dependi ng
upon how EPA proceeds to establish these standards.
5-18
'"ciÎ
TABLE 5-l
Sulfur Content of Coal Required to Meet Sulfur Oxide Emission
Standards in Coals of Different BTU Content
Emission Stand'ard % S Meeting the SO~ Emission Standard*
(1 ba sa per for a Coal Wh se Btu Content
m i 11 i on 2 B tu ) (in Btu per lb.) is
Btu/l b _8,000 10,000 12,000 .litOOO
0.6 0.24%S 0.30%S 0.36%5 0.42%S
1.2 0.48 0.60 o. 72 0.84
2.0 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40
4.0 1.60 2.00 2.40 2.80
6.0 2.40 3.00 3.60 4.20
*Assumes all sulfur is converted to SO?. The fact that sorne sulfur remains .in the
ash {about 5 percent) would raise these entries by a comparable amount.
Source: J. Philip Bromberg, "The Implications.of the Clean Air Act Amendments of
1977 for Coal Uti11zation,11 Societx of Mining Engineers'of AIME, 1978.
5-19
The original Act mandated the attainment of National Ambient Air Qual ity
Standards (NAAOS) by 1975. While some progress has been made, th~s~
standards were clearly not attained in many parts of the country,
including almost all urban areas. A major purpose of these amendments was
to provide an addi tional and stronger thrust in the di rection of the
prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) and nonattainment of air
quality standards.
The punitive aspects of the act has been harshened. Fines of $25,000 per
day are possible. In addition, financial penalties are mandated in cases
of delays in canpliance. The non-canplier must forfait any financial
benefit he achieved by his non-compl iance, either to the state if the
state initiates the action, or to the Federal goverrment if the Federal
government initiates the action in the face of state inaction.
The problem of interstate pollution is also addressed. It allows neigh-
boring states to protest the operation of sources which might affect their
own states.
That wa ter is a resource wi'th vested property rights was recognized
centuries aga with the development of r1parian rights to water. It, is now .
being recognized that air is also a resource with vested property rights,
pa'rticularly within the context of nonattainment and PSD.
LOW SULFUR COAL
Under the Clean Air Act of 1970, low sulfur coal was a viable and
acceptable mode of compl1ance with the new source performance standards.
Many eastern utilities made plans to util ize large quantities of importe~
western law sul fur coal to meet these standards. Projections of future
production in the western coal ffel ds were based on the assumption that
large tonnages would be consumed in eastern boi 1 ers.
Each state must detennine with respect to its SIP 11 the extent to which
compl iance with the requirements of such plan is dependent upon use of
coal or coal derivatives which is not locally or regionally available.11
5-20
i.J
~
'" ,,Ji ,......,
The Amendment then goes on to note that any major source may be prohibited
from burning fuels other than locally or regionally available coal or coal
derivatives if such use would result in local economie disruption or
unemployment. It is reasonable to assume that the governors of the
individual coal mining states will be under extreme pressure to invoke
this section whenever imported law sulfur coal threatens to displace local
coal. In invoking this prohibition, the Act goes on to state that. the
effects of ultimate consumer costs must be taken into account. The mode
of taking these costs into account will presumably be established by later
regulations. Apparently, in-state use of Alaska's law sulfur coal will be
permitted, but out-of-state shipment may depend upon the location of the
eus tomer.
Section 111 {109) has considerably altered the concept of NSPS. EPA must
n<111 revise the present standards to require not only emission limits, but
al so percent reductions in effective sul fur content. This has
considerably altered the efficacy of the three technologies previously
discussed and has altered the relationship between them. Scrubbing or
beneficiation will apparently be requi red on all coal regardless of the
sul fur content of the coal. The percent reduction is to be determined by
regulations yet to be promulgated by EPA. It should be noted that if this
percentage exceeds the amount by which the sulfur can be removed by
beneficiation, then this section may requi re scrubbing virtually
everywhere, regardless of the coal used. On the other hand, there. is sorne
legislative history indicating that the Administrator may establish a
range of percent reductions based upon the sul fur content of the raw coal.
"BACT, LAER (and NSPS) will mean what the Administrator of EPA eventually
says they mean. In addition, they will be determined on a case by case
basis." (Bromberg, 1978)
The application of BACT may require a case by case imposition of limi-
tations more stringent than NSPS, particularly in PSD areas, and LA.ER will
require the imposition of limitations more stringent than NSPS in
nonattainment areas. In other words, the yet to be established LAER
5~·21
standards will effectively be the NSPS in nonattainment areas. Con-
sidering EPA's history of cOOIITiittment of scrubbers, it is not unreasorHib1ê
to expect that a substantial portion of canp1iance technology will be
defined in terms of scrubber capability.
In establishing these standards, the Act mandates that consideration must
be given to su ch factors as costs, av a il able technol ogy, energy -
consumption, as well as environmental impacts. The new permitting
procedures may well require the preparation of an environmental impact
statement, or the equivalent thereof, for the construction of any new
plants or the conversion of old plants.
The term "emission standards" has been changed to "standard of perfor-
mance .... This subtle change could be of great significance. An "emission
standard 11 i s fixed uniform number su ch as 1.2 1 bs. so 2 per 10 6 BTU. It
all ows the opera tor to canp1y by any means which will achieve the des ig-
nated number. It is uniform for all plants in a class. A "standard of
performance" is more variable, and may have a different effect on dif-
ferent plants · in the same class. A standard of performance may be a
specified percentage reduction in effective sul fur content of the coal, or
it rriay be a specified technology. If it is to a specified technology,
past history indicates that it would be flue gas scrubbing, at least until'
newer technologies are deve1oped. Under a fixed emission standard, it
would appear to be pennissible to construct an FGD system such that it
treats only that portion of the stack gas required to meet the standard.
Under a standard of perfonnace system, this approach may not be allowed,
and total scrubbing may be required regardless of other factors. Section
109 (111) further stipula tes that these 1 stàndards must be continually
reviewed and revised downward as improved technology is developed to allow
for more stringent standards of performance.
Also, the market for coal derivatives from Alaska' s coal may be limited irl
the future because "derivatives" may be specifically identified in the
amendments as noted earlier.
5-22
~
.\J
S0 2 EMISSIONS
The emissions of so 2 fran natural sources, volcanoes, sulfur springs or
hot springs exceeds by far the emissions under the control of man (power
plants, smelters, etc.). Nonetheless, the fact that the man related so 2
emissions are often released close to areas of high population density,
heightens the importance of the man made emissions.
Public coneern over 50 2 was stimulated by a number of incidents related to
the effects of 50 2 . The se , incl ude the human los ses in the Donora,
Pennsylvania smog of 1948, and the vegetation lasses in Ducktown,
Tennessee (early 1900's), arid in Trail, British Columbia (1920's),
(Niessen, 1975).
A summary of worl dwide 50 2 emissions, the so 2 effect in heal th and a
canparison of limit levels versus disaster levels is given in Figure 5-7.
FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATION
In flue gas desulfurization (FGD), the 502 is removed fran the effluent
s tack gas by a chemical process. In 1 ime/1 imes tone FGD, the gas ts
brought into contact with a slurry of lime or limestone and is precipi-
tated as a mixture of Ca50 3 and Ca50 4. When the lime or limestone in the
slurry is spent, the entire slurry is discarded and replaced with new
slurry.
FGD systems are capable of removing 90 percent of the so 2 from the stack
gas. L ime/1 imestone scrubbers, wh ile conceptually simple, are canpl icated
chemical factories which treat the effluent flue gases. They are capital
intensive, expensive to operate, and consume relatively large quantities
of energy (Princiotta, 1978).
I t is antic i pated the EPA will propose an upgraded NSPS for ut il i ty
boil ers which will èall for a specified percentage of sul fur reduction,
probably between 85-90%.
5-23
(.,9
1
1'.:>
~
Figure 5-'7
$02 EMMISSIOftS
-·. 'AD~AL -\I:>RLO.:WlOÈ so2 _EMISSIONS . . ..
6 ~urcè Emmissions, 10 tons
COMPAiHSON OF SOi LEVELS for di sasters, ave rages in cHies, and
standards gives n fnsight into severity of EPA limits
toal
Petroleum
Ronferrous smelting
lndustrial (H2 equivalent)
Total man-generated S02
Marine {H 2 equivalent)
land H2S(S02 equivalent)
Total natural sources oxidized to SOH2
SUlfur in so 2 from sea salt
(so 2 equivalent)
Total worl d-wide:
[FFECTS OF S02 ON HEALTH BY LEVEL OF RESPONSE
102
28
16
6
152
60
lli
200
88
-
440
level of response
Dea th
Sul fur dioxide
pg/m/3 ppm
0.20-0.40a
0.03-0.lla
0.035-0.45b
I1liness (acute, chronfc)
Functional changes
Preceding disease
Changes of uncertain
Significance
Pollutant burdens
500-1000
80-275
90-120
500-1000
No data
0.20-0.40c
No data
a. 24-hr average. b. Annual average c. Experimental studies
Sulfates
pg/m 3
No data
7-14a
9-lla
250c
No data
2.0
1.8
1.6
!S.
':: 1.4
c
0 .,_. ...,
f 1.2 ...,
r::
<IJ u
g 1.0
u
N
0
V) 0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-Estfmated maximum, Donora, 1948
( 5720 pg/m3}
---..Peak va 1 ue, longon, 1952
(3830 pg/~)
Chicago Loop, 1939
New York City, Annual Average, 1968
Chicago, annual average, 1968
Washington, annua1 average, 1968
St. Louis, annua1 average, 1968
EPA primary standard
0.03 ppm (86_pg/m3)
EPA secondary standard,
0.02 ppm (57 pg/m ~
Estimated natural background
level, 0.002 ppm
6000
5000
1.
4000 ~ -c
0 -...,
~ ...,
3000 ai
2000
1000
u c;
8
N
0
V)
r:--=---, 1 0
Source: Thomas c. Elliott, "S0 2 Removal From'Stack Gases," Power,
September 1974.
The number of FGD systems installed annually has steadily increased from
'1968 to 1976. As of December 1977, there were 29 units in operation and
;an additional 51 units in design or under construction. Figure 5-8
illustrates this trend by showing the estimated utility committment to FGD
as a function of the survey year. Total ut il ity commi ttments are
~estimated to be over 50,000 Mwe. The great preponderance of these units
are 1 ime or lime stone sc rubbing systems producing a di sposable product.è
In arder ta put this number in perspective, the current coal-fired powerr
l
plant capacity is about 200,000 Mwe. ·
Unlil<e the use of law sulfur coal and mechanical beneficiation which are
independant of the boiler operation, FGD systems fonn an integral part of
the boiler system. A breakdown of the FGD system may necessitate shutting
dawn the entire plant; this can be very costly. Cost calculations of
scrubber technology generally ignore this factor. Unfortunately, the
experience of a number of ut il ities may indicate that the frequency of
down-time is sufficiently high that this factor should not be completely
·'-ignored.
For example, the Bruce Mansfield installation (Unit #1 -825 MW) was
forced ta shut dawn for an extended peri ad of tirne to repa ir the damage to
the chirnney liner arising from the corrosive nature of the flue gas. The
capital charges attributable ta a complete shutdown arnounted to sorne
$300,000 per day, not including the cost of .repairing the chirnney.
Significant problems affecting United States plant <;>peration have inch1de~
mi st elimina tor performance degradation, calcium sul fate-scal ing, stack.
lining failure, · instrumentation malfunction and reheater plugging or
corrosion. However, operating experience and design modifications have
resulted in bath higher reliability in newer plants and increasing
reliability in existing plants.
While sorne recent United States reliabilities have been over 90%, Japanese
FDG installations with reliabilities greater than 95% indicate that
additional 1mprovements can be anticipated. During February 1978, a task
5-25
.t:
.u < "" ~
~
0 te
55r--..,..._~-~r----r----
(53,352}
10
( 37 ,834)
(27,768)
UNDER CONSTRUCTlON . -
(32,628)
(11,810}
sr (6,777)
OPERA T.I ONAL
(J ,291)
1974 1976 1978
YEAR OF ESTIMATE
INCA USE IN FGD UTillZATION AS A FUNCTION
OF THE. YEAR THIS ESTIMA TE WAS MADE.
FGO MW CAPACITY
Figure 5-8
Source: Frank T. Princiotta "Engineering Update for Flue Gas De-
sulfurization Technology", ENERGY TECHNOLOGY V, Proceeding
the Fifty Energy Technol ogy Conference, February 27 -
March 7, 1978, Washington, o.c., Government Institutes,
Inc., page 996.
5-26
'..J
·":
r À1
'~
'·
force visited Japan to · detennine the perfonnance of several key FGD
faciHties. This task force included representatives of EPA, TVA, and ,the
. .
Electric Power Research Institute. The Task Force examined five FGD
systems which are now operating in Japan on coal·fired boilers; all are
either lime or 11mestone scrubbing facil i ti es, producing a di sposal
product or saleable gypsum. Prel iminary evaluation indicated that a11
.five fa cil i ti es had ex tremel y high rel i ab il i ti es, wi th essentially none of
the problems which have affected certain U.S. installations (Princiotta,
1978).
FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATION RESEARCH
Research is underway in methods to improve the 1 imestone scrubbers. For
example, a development program has been initiated to integrate all the
chemical and process steps of conventional limestone/gypsum processes into
one vessel. This has led to the development of a new 1 imestone based
process anployi ng a new, more efficient gas-liquid contracting deviee.·
Flue gas is sparged into the absorbent through an array of vertical
spargers generating a froth for efficient gas-liquid contact. so 2· is
absorbed producing sulfite which is oxidized to sulfate. Oxidizing air
from the bottom supplies sufficient oxygen to completely oxidize the
sulfite. Benefits claimed from this new. process are: simplicity of
design, lower capital cast, energy conservation, saleab1e or easily
disposable gypsum by-product, and elimination of calcium scaling problems.
·An extensive research and development program that included operation of a
!650 scfm pilot plant was conducted to provide prerequisite data and
infonnation for the design and operation of a prototype plant. Construc-
tion is now underway on a demonstration plant at Gulf Power Company's
Scholz Steam Plant to demonstrate the cost and energy effectiveness and
ope rab il i ty of this advanced technol ogy (Clasen, 1977).
Additional signif1cant research is underway on different methods for re-
moving sulfur in coal-fired industrial power plants. For example, the
results of pilot operation of Citrate Flue Gas Oesulfurization in process
5-27
at a base metal smel ter application in Kellog, Idaho are being appl iedi to
a Gomn coal-fi red genera ting unit owned and operated by St. Joe Minereîl.s
Corporation at Monaca, Pennsylvania, on the Ohio River, northwest of
Pittsburgh .(Madenburg, 1977).
The citrate process controls so 2 emissions by the use of aqueous solutions
of organic acids. The ten years research by the Bureau of Mines showed
that a buffered sol ut ion of sodium citrate is the most effective. The
Kellogg pilot operation confi rmed previous laboratory research th at the
citrate process is capable of 99 percent removal of sulfur dioxide dis-
charge fran industrial waste gases. Sorne of the leading processes that
are technically fèasible for so 2 removal fran boil er stacks are given in
Table 5-2.
FGD COSTS
The TVA has updated their previous estimates of flue gas desulfurization
costs and have also ut il 1 zed a computer code devel oped by TVA and Bech tel
Corporation to relate FGO costs to some of the important design parà~ _
meters.
The inclusion of an FGD system in a new high-sulfur coal-fired larger than
500 Mwe, requires an additional investment ranging from $80 to $100 per . .
kilowatt ($/Kw). Annualized total investment and opera ting revenue.
requirements average four to five mills p~r kilowatt hour (mills/kwh). The
correspondi ng coal-fi red power plant costs wi thout an FGD system are about
500 $/Kw and 30 mills/Kwh (Princiotta, 1978).
An analysis of the economies of coal versus nuclear for a power p1ant
beginning operation in 1984 in Boise, Idaho gives a total mills/kwh of 33
without scrubber and 39 with scrubber {Rutledge, 1976}. The capital and
opera ting cast annual ized for a 200 MW unit using the 1 imestone/gypsum jet
bubbling sc rubbing sys ten has be en estimated at $31/kw and 1.87 mill s/kwh
respect ively (Clasen, 1977). The annualized opera ti anal cost of the
citrate FGD process previously discussed has been estimated to be 2.07
mills/kwh for a 500 MW coal-fired power plant us1ng coa1 containing 2.5%
' su 1 fUr"' {Madenbu rg, 1977).
5-28
~
''--'
Leading proccsses technically feasible for SO:: removal from boiler stack~;
Name of process
Scrubbcr addition
of lin'lflstonc
Scrut,)ber addition ,
of lime
Doubfe alkali
Ma;nesla scrubbing
Catalytic oxidation
Wellman-Lord/SO:t
.retduçljon ..
Citrate
Ory adsorption
Rugcnt used End producls
Ca CO a CaSOa, CaSO~
CaO CaSOa, CaSO-t
NaOH caso~ (gypsum)
Magnesium H:!S04
compounds
Vanadium· H:!SO~
pentoxide (Catalyst)
Na;soa Sulfur
Sodium citrate,
cltric acld
Char from
noncoking coat
Sullur
Sulfur
TABLE 5-2
Conments
Probably the least expansive process .to instalf; remova!
efliciency heavily dependent on limc:;tone selectcd.
lmprovod eftis;iency at the expanse of greater potenUal
for scaling. Less solid wastes produ-;cd.
No scaling in scrubbcr, although a problem at precipita·
tlon stage. Smaller scrubbers and. liquor tlows possible.
Program today processes sulluric acid at central plant
from MgSOa salts scrubbed out and shipp~d from power
plant.
Catalytic oxidation occurs at 850 F, produclng BO% sul-
furie acid at the rule of 12 gallons/min.
Wellman-lord prOCGSS produces concentialed so~ by
-thcrmnl stripping of NaHSOa. S02 is reduced to S wilh
natural gas.
Twln eclions conlinually occur: Absürplion of SO~ in ci·
trate solution, regeneration of H2S with sulfur produced.
Advantages of dry process are minimum vSater use, min-
Imum wàste disposai, n .. o stack plume, no slack gas reneaL
Source: Thomas C. E11iott, 11 S02 Removal From Stack Gases,11 POWER, September,
1974, p. 5-8.
5-29
The cost for flue gas desulfurization in Alaska has not been determined at
this time, but hopefully it will be less than that of the lower 48 since
the sulfur content is lower. However, higher construction costs ~nd
operational costs in Alaska continue to off er a challenge to util i ty
managers with respect to holding down electrical costs.
EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA
Currently about 700,000 tons of coal per year are burned in Alaska to
generate electricity and for space heating. The use of coal in years
past, starting with Nathaniel Portlock burning coal in his ship in 1786,
has been documented in Phase I, Volume 2 of this project. Plans for an
additional 150 megawatts at Usibelli wi th joint part ici pat ion by Golden
Valley Electric Association (GVEA) and the Fairbanks Municipal Util ity
Service (FMUS) have been postponed. The decision was based on a slowing of
demand growth and stricter environmental considerations. If future.
regulations permit a stack emission standard of·0.5 lbs. so 2 per million
BTU, no further sul fur removal .. woul d be necessary.
But if the government regulation is, for example, 0.2 rather than .5, sorne
method for removing sulfur will be required. Consideration is being given
to a process whereby a ba king soda type chemical is added to the flue gas
·prior to it passing into a teflon coated fiber glass bag (in a "bag
house 11 ) wi th the sul fur compound that is fonned depositing on the surface
of the bag. The primary purpose of the bag is to col lect dust and sol id
matter, not remove sul fur, so that air particulate standards can be met ..
However, if su ch a sul fur removal process works, the cost could be
reasonab le. Dow Chemi cal and other companies have expressed an interest
in taking the ash collected in the bag house.
BELUGA
Currently, the fuels used for el ectrical generation in the
Anchorage-Beluga area are natural gas and to a lesser extent, hydropower.
Even if the Sus itna Hydroel ectric Project is approved, ad di tional interim
electrical genera ting facil itAes may be needed. Wh ile sorne prel iminary
5-30
. ..
"W
"-'
""-'/
s tu di es have been made for coal-fi red generating facil ities us ing Beluga.
coal, neither .of the two major electrical ut il ities in the a rea --Chugach~
Electric Association or Municipal Light & Power --have committed
themselves to a co.al-fired plant at this time.
The economies of a coal-fired generation plant at Beluga will depend to a
great extent upon the government regulations that are forthcoming from the·
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977. In the past, a ut il i ty generally had
its choice of technology to meet a prescribed emission limit of 1.2 lbs.
so 2 per 106 BTU. Now the emphasis is on the best available control1
technology (BACT) and lowest achievable emission rates (LAER). The new;
amendmen.ts have changed the tenn "emission standards" to 11 Standard of
performance" --a change that may be very significant depending upon how:
EPA proceeds to establish these standards.
It is possible that EPA will require a specified percentage of sulfuri
reduction, probably between 85-90%. The technology required for removing
90% of the sulfur in eastern coal with 3% sulfur, leaving .3% sulfur,,
(more than sorne of the sulfur in Alaska 1 s run of mine ·coal) may be very.
different for Alaska 1 S coal.
However, there is sorne legislative history indicating that the Admini-
strator may establ ish a range of percent reduction based upon the sul fur
, content of the raw coal. Hopefully, Alaska 1 s very low sul fur coal, unique
in the nation, will receive appropria te consideration as regulations are
finned.
COAL PROCESSING
Fu tu re c.oal process ing technol ogy may be very important to Alaska sin ce
there is no doubt that Alaska has significant coal deposits, a large;
quantity of which is .both low in sulfur and near tidewater. If the'
carbon-to-hydrogen ratio of coal can be rearranged in an economie and'
envi ronmentally satisfactory manner, an assortnent of sol ids, 1 iquids and,
gases can be produced for 1n-state and export use. Using a variety of
catalysts, temperatures, and pressures, technologies are being developed'
to accomplish these chemical transformations.
' 5-31
Options for the fonnation of low or intennediate BTU gases include Lurgi,
Koppers-Totzek, Wi nkler, and Wellman-Gal usha that have recently or are
currently. being used canmercially in various parts of the world.
Experimental processes such as Bureau of Mines, Stirred Fluid Bed,
Westinghouse Fl uid Bed Gas i fi er, and Ash Aggl ornera ting Fl ui di zed Bed
Gasifier Processes are also possibilities. The major difference between
low and intennediate BTU gases is the presence of nitrogen as a diluent in
the low BTU gas. This is avoided in the intermediate BTU gas processes by
ut il izing pure oxygen for c001bustion, or by keeping the canbustion ga ses
separate from the process gases.
Intennediate BTU gas may be converted to high BTU gas or substitute
natural gas (SNG) by shifting, purification, and methanation. Sorne
intennediate BTU gas processes inherently produce more methane than others
and thus have an advantage when SNG is the desired product. Such
experimental processes incl ude Hygas, Bi•gas, Synthane, and co 2 Accepter
(Souby, 1978).
Options for liquid fuels include the Modified Ash-Agglomerating Synthoil,
H-coal, Consol Synthetic Fuel, COED, Toscoal, Fisher-Tropsch and Methanol
processes. The solvent refined coal (SRC) process can produce either a
high BTU solid or a liquid for utility fuel depending upon selected
operati~g conditions.
Development will depend upon site specifie considerations such as th~
amount of coal, rank of coal, sul fur content of coal, cost of
transportation of product to market, construc1;ion and operation costs. at
the location selected. The purpose of this section on coal technology is
to examine, the options avaHable for the use of Alaskan coal. Special
attention is given the Beluga Coal District which has significant
subbituminous coal deposits which are low in sulfur and near tidewater,
but high in ash and moisture. The section on Recommendations Will identify
suggested courses of action for Alaska to consider with respect to further
coal development.
5-32
~·
~
' ,J ~
COKING
The carboniza ti on of coal to produce coke was known and practiced as· early
as the late 1600's, but relatively large scale operations were not
conducted until the mid-1700 1 s. Even then coke was a by-product of other
coal processing operations. Primarily the distillation of coal in an iron
retort was to produce illuminating gas. It wasn' t un til 1856 that the
fi rst co king avens were constructed in France to produce boil er-furnace
and foundry coke as the ma in products (Tet ra Tech, 1976).
Gradually the demand for pig iron for iridustrial growth grew; so too did
the requirement for the coking coal which was used to produce the pig
iron. By 1974, the United States alone consumed 64.1 million short tons
(58.1 million metric tons) of coking coal (Cooper, 1976) in spite of
improvements in blast furnace design and operating techniques which have,
reduced the amount of coke consumed per ton of pig iron by 20-25 percent
since 1960 (Tetra Tech, 1976).
Production of coking coals in the United States, reached 61.581 million
short tons (55 .6 million metric tons) 1 n 1974, 15 percent of the worl d • s
total production. Required for this production figure were 89.8 million
short tons (81.4 mill ion metric tons) of bi tuminous coal, 15 percent of
the 1974 domestic production of bitiminous coal, and .444 mill ion short
tons (.40 million metric tons) of anthracite, 7 percent of domestic
production. (The anthracite was used primarily in the production of
foundry coke to achieve greater size and dens1ty, bath of which are
desirable properties in the melting of iron in foundry cupolas.) More
recent figures for 1977 indicate that 15 percent of the United States co al
production is used in the production of coke (Scollen, 1977). Projected
annual requirements for coking in the U.S. range from 82-108 million short
tons (74.4-98.0 million metric tons) by 1985 to 89-151 million short tons
(80.7-137 million metric tons) by 2000 (Tetra Tech, 1976).
United States exports of coke for 1974 totalled 1.278 million short tons
( 1.16 mill ion me tric tons), approximately 2.1 percent of domestic pr().:
duction. Canada remained the principal foreign market, receiv.ing nearly 56
5-33
percent of the exported coke. Imports for the same period totalled 3.54
miUion short tons (3.21 million metric tons), an increase of 228 percent
over 1973 figures. West Gennany was the source of 2.76 million tons (2.51
mill ion metric tons) of those imports. Producers • stocks decl inl:'!d by o. 249
:million short tons (0.226 million metric tons) over the year (Cooper,
1976). Future American participation in the world coking coal market has
been projected to reach 20 percent of the world 1 s requirements by 1985,
provided increased production is not hindered and priees remain
canpetitive {Tetra Tech, 1976).
With respect to the value of coke, foundry coke priees averaged $78.92 per
ton in 1974 and the total value of all coal carbonized in slot avens . .in
the United States was over three billion dollars (Cooper, 1976).
Properties of Coke
Coke is a strong porous residue consisting of carbon and mineral ash
formed when bituminous coal is heated in a limited oxygen supply or in the
absence of air. The limitati.on of the oxygen available for canbustfon
allows the volatile matter in the coal to be driven off without the
canbustion of the carbon, thereby leaving behind the lumps or small
powdery particles of coke. Coke may also be formed by thermal decanpo-
sition of a petroleum residue.
Coke formation represents an intennediate stage in any fuel bed. In a
boiler furnace, for example, sorne coals become plastic, soften upon
heating and form lumps or masses of coke. Those coals that show little or
no fusing action are called free-burning coals and are of little value as
coking coals. It is the coal that demonstrates high fusing ability that is
most valuable for coke production.
Coke production begins with the selection of a coal or a blend of cpals to
be used as the charge, the original mass of coal placed in the coking
aven. The caking properties of a coal and the size and strength of the
coke masses it forms are valuable indicators of the future performance of
that coke as a fuel (Tetra Tech, 1976).
5-34
·~
There are many qualities which detennine the suitability of a coal for
coke production. First and foremost it must have sufficient caking,
abi11 ty to mel t and agglomera te du ring the coki ng process.
Secondly, the co al should . be 1 ow in ash and sul fur content, al though
current technology is capable of tolerating the problems these two
properties· crea te. The ash and sul fur content of the feedstock coal bea.rs.
· directly on the quantity of coke required per ton of pig iron produced.
High ash content means less fixed carbon in the coke and more
slag volume in the blast furnace which in turn means more coke
per ton of iron and less iron production. Sorne operators claim
they can show fran three to six percent increase in iron
production for each percentage point of ash reduction in
blast-furnace coke. (Leonard, 1968)
Lastly, the coal used as feedstock must be capable of being carbonized
without damaging the coke-ovens or creating difficult operating pro-,
cedures. The expansion of the charge in the oven when heat is applied is
one of the major problems in the creation of coke._ Expanding coals are
mostly in the medium-volatile to low-volatile rank; therefore coals of the
high-volatile ranks are the coals generally selected. Operating
temperature regimes of the coke-ovens al so influence the expansion of the
charge. In general, the more rapidly a charge is heated, the more it
expands. Therefore, ovens operated at high flue temperatures are more
1 ikely to be injured by expanding charges than those operated at medium or
low temperatures (Leonard, 1968).
BLENDING
If a coal does not meet the above requirements, a blend of different coals
may be created which does meet the qualifications. Blending is performed
to improve the chemical and physical properties of coke, limit the
expansion pressure developed on oven walls during carbonization . and
broaden the use of lower qual i ty coal s that could not be used al one for
metallurgical-grade coke production. Currently, blending of coals is the
standard practice at oven-coke plants because many coal s do not produce
satisfactory quality coke when used alone (Cooper, 1974).
5-35
COAL COKING METHODS
The selection of a coal, or blend of coals, is dependent on the method of
coking to be employed. Coal is presently coked by ·four methods, although
,there are several experimental methods being researched. Each of the four
methods of coking--the by-product slot type oven, the beehive oven, the
rotary hearth process and the traveling gate process--requires a certain
type of coal or blend if the method is to function properly.
Nearly all of the coke produced in the U.S. is of the by-product slot type
oven process, requiring a coal charge of low ash, low sulfur, low coking
pressure and high coke strength (Appendix 5-A). Because of these
requirements, coal which origi,nates fran any given mine is not 1 ikely to
be charged alone for conversion to coke.
The beeh ive oven process, the second method of produci ng coke, turns out
several million tons of blast-furnace and foundry coke each year. Th~
beehive is a slow coking process and the resultant coke is generally large
ahd strong. Also, coals are frequently coked at the mine site. With the
exception of when coals are blended, sul fur and ash content ranges from
low to medium and is dependent on the area from which the coal was mined.
The third and fourth methods of producing coke, the rotary hearth. and
traveling gate processes, are used to carbon ize very high quali ty coal s
for use in producing chemical cokes. However, the tonnage produced an-
nually is extremely small. The rotary hearth requires sized, sub-
bituminous coal or fine coking coal of generally less than six percent ash
content. The traveling gate process requires a highly volatile coal with
less than six percent ash and a free swell ing index of six to eigh.t
(Leonard, 1968). (Appendix 5-B)
. ..,
.,
·J
Several new processes for the production of coke are being researched and
tested in an effort to develop techniques that will allow the use of a
grea ter range of coal s for coke production. Two experimental processes,
the' Arthur D. Little (ADL} Extractive Co king Process and the USS Clean ·...,;
Coke Process, appear to be viable possibil ities for future coke pro-
duction.
5-36
The ADL process was developed by Arthur D. Little, Inc. in cooperation
with the Foster Wheeler Co. and the Pittsburgh Energy Research Center
(PERC) of the Departrnent of Energy. The procéss uses equipment and
hardware already proven commercially feasible in petroleum refining
operations. The process inval ves the use of a hydrogen donor sol vent
under mild conditions, to achieve liquefaction. Then the cracking and
coking separates the product out as an overhead vapor and the coal ash and
heavy portion of the coal extract remains (Reber, 1977).
The Clean Coke Process is described in the sub-section 11 Aromatic Chemicals,
from Co al -Clean Coke Process 11 and in more detail by Schowalter (1977)
' '
and USS Engineers and Consultants, Inc. (1976).
RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN JAPAN
As steel production si nee Worl d War II accel erated, Japanese consomption
of coking coal for/ blast furnaces increased by nearly 600% between 1960
"'-,' and 1973. Since approximately 84% of this is imported, stable, supply
sources have been sought in coal-producing countries. Present Japanese
coal sources are worl d-wide and incl ude the United States, Austral i a and
Canada, the three major coal-producing countries in the world.
However, serious coal supply difficulties will rise as world consomption
of coking coal increases. From 1972 to 1985, world consomption is
expected to rise from 465 to 639 million tons. Sorne forecast the eventual
exhaustion of high-quality hard coal necessary for, the production of
metallurgical coke even in the United States, where coal reserves are
abundant.
Wi th the se predictions in mi nd, intensive efforts have been made to
decrease coke consomption in Japanese blast furnace operations and reduce
the cost of coke production. Simul taneously, technologies ut il izing poor
co king or noncoki ng co al have been devel oped.
5-37
Techniq(.Jes expandi ng the range, of metall urgi cal coke manufacture can be
divided into many methods. The successful method most used in Jap~n :~n
creases the blending ratio .of low-qual ity coal by adopting the briquette . .
charging method. Here, the binder materfal, non-coking coal and a part of
the ·coki ng coal are blended and fonned by a briquette machine. Other
... normal coking coals are charged together with the briquettes in the coke
· oven.
The fonned coke process fs the other method for metall urgical coke
manufacture of primary importance in Japan. They plan for its practical
application in the near future (Sugasana, ND}. (See the DKS process shown
'', .
in Table 5-3.)
. '
FORMED COKE PROCESSES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
.. Use of great quantities of non-coking coal in conventional cokirig methods
~ is impossible. Consequently, fonned coke p.rocesses, which use non-cotdng
coals, have been studied and devel oped in many countries. However, except
for a few small-scale plants, canmercial fonned coke plants are not yet in
. operation •. Table 5-1 shows the main processes of severa1 pilot plants.
Their methods are èanpl1cated and additional development is needed.
EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA
The Chickaloon depostt in Matanuska, Valley does have soma coal with coking
properties. The Kukpowruk River deposit on the North Slope of the Brooks
Ra,nge has a substantial amount of coal with good coking properties,
similar to coal from Sunnyside, Cali fornia. However, mining costs and
transportation di fftculties discourage the deve1 opment of the deposit.
The sea. is open to barge traffic only 80 days per year. The Bering River .
Field, southeast of Cordova, also has coal with good coking properties.
While. water aceess would be much better than at Kukpowruk River, the area
· has experienced extensive faul ting and the depos1t would be very di ffi cult
to m1ne (B()ttge, 1979).
5-38
·~
~
TABLE 5-3
Formed Coke Processes
···-~ Production capacity
Process Country Outlines of the processes (t 1d)
Existing Planned
Heating Mixing
BLF W. Gennany Non-coki ng Co a 1 Char · :yHot briquetting-Coking 120 300
Coking coal
Dehydration and pulverization mixing
ANCIT Non-coking coal~ (EBV) W. Gennany Hot briquetting -Coking 250 720
· Coking coa1
SAPOZ ~ Partial degasffication
HNIKOV USSR Non-coki ng co a 1 Hot briquet ting -Coki ng 300 2,700
Heating ccc USA Non-co king co a 1
1 Rotary Kil n-Pellet Coking 10 450
Coking coal
FMC USA Non-coking coal
Dehydration . • Tar :J_
Carbonization at a Cold briquetting ---Coking 250 -
low tenperature
Pitch tar
DKS Japan Non-coki ng coal Col d briquett i ng Coking 160-2,300-
200 13,300
··---------------------·---------·-
Source: W. Pet~rs: Materials of HSC (1974) at Dussardorf as presented in Kiyoshi Sugasawa, "Development of Briquette
Charge and Fonned Coke Techniques in Japan," Technocrat, vol. 9-No. 8.
COKE AT BELUGA
Although Beluga coal does not have the properties necessary for a coking
coal, it is possible that Beluga coal could be sol vent refined and the
sol id product blended wi th other coal in su ch a manner that it coul d be
used in a blast furnace. "High-sul fur blast furnace coke requires more
limestone, and more lfmestone means more coke and less iron-ore in the
burden; therefore, a low-sulfur coke will increase iron production and
require less coke per ton of ~ron produced." (Leonard, 1968) The possi-
bility of using low sulfur Beluga coal as a coke substitute, either. by
direct blending and/or as a solvent refined coal product, should be
examined in greater detail since the significant add-on value of the
product might make su ch production economically attractive in the distant
·future.
COAL GASIFICATION
Several options are avai'lable for one interested in research in the gasi-
fication. of coal, namely: location above ground or in-situ; fonnation of
low BTU gas, intennediate BTU gas or high BTU gas (pipeline quality)·>
Sorne of the various process schemes whfch are involved in making gas from
coal are given in Figure 5-9.
Gasification
The ga si fi cation of coal invol ves three key elements -carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen. The carbon and hydrogen cornes fran the coal which is chemi-
cally CH.9 with sorne oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, ash and moisture. (See
Phase 1; Volume 1 page 104 of this project.) Water, in the fonn of steam,
i s a source of hydrogen and oxygen; however, sometimes hydrogen and oxygen
are used in elemental fonn in the coal gasification processes. The
necessary heat can be suppl ied either by di rectly burning coal and oxygen
or supplying heat fran an external source. Sorne process steps require a
catalyst {i.e. Raney nickel) and sorne may require high pressure.
Depending upon the process chosen, an assortment of boilers, filters,
beds, valve~, etc. are ne19ded.
5-40
\., "JJ ~
t11
1
~ __,
Figure 5-9
GENERAL PROCESS SCHEME FOR PRODUCING GAS FROM COAL
COAL PREPARATION
-Handling and Storoge
GASfFICATtON Row Low or
Cool .. Lsize Reduction
1. Cool+ H2 _...cH 4 +Cl lntermediate Gas
1 ~12.C + 2 H2 _..... CH 4 -
-Pretre at ment 3.C + H 2 o~co+H 2
4.C + o2 -..co2
H2o__jj
Air or o 2 · ·
Lco2 , H2s
. RAW GAS UPGRADING
Pipeline Gas _j -Shift: CO + H2o-...co2 + H 2
900-1000 Btu -Remove Acid Gas (C0 2 + H2 S)
-Methanote: CO+ 3H2 __.... CH 4 + H2o
---
Source: Science and Public Policy Program, University of Oklahoma, Energy
Alternatives: A Comparative Analysis, p. 1-69.
. (~
Combustible Gases
Coal gasification produces carbon roonoxide (CO), methane (CH 4), hydrogen
(H 2), carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen, of which the first
three are canbustible. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen heating values by
vol ume are approximately one-third that of methane, wh ich 1 s the primary
component of natural gas and has a similar heating value.
Most coal gasification processes aim for high quality gas production
during the initial gasification stage. The methods of introducing
hydrogen, oxygen, and heat are the critical detenninants of the end
products.
1
Trade-offs are invol ved in each method. Pure oxygen is more expansive_
than air, but it lowers the production of nitrogen and raises the heating
value of the gas. Hydrogen introduced into the process by steam produces
mostly carbon monoxide .and hydrogen. Direct introduction of hydrogen
resul ts in an exothenni c ( heat producing) reaction producing methane and
carbon; the carbon production is relatively high and much of it is left 'in
the gasifier as char.
Process Eguipment
Categorization of gasification systems can be made on the basis of
engineering features especi ally bed type. Gasification systems may use a
fixed-bed, a fl uidized-bed, or entra irment. In the fixed-bed system,
steam.or hydrogen are passed through a grate supporting the lumps of co~l.
In the fluidized-bed system, gas flows through fillely sized coal. The
lifting and "bo111ng" affect promotes chemical reactions by increasing
ex po sed coa l su rfa ce a rea.
The entrainment system transports finely sized coal particles in the gas
(e.g. steam and oxygen) prior to their introduction into the reactor.
Product gases and ash are removed separately. Unlike the other two
systems, {which have difficulties with caking coals), there are few
limitations to the kinds of coal that can be used in entrainment.
s..:4·2
.,
-~
~
~-.• iii .:i ' ~
High pres su re systems have several advantages over tho se operated at
ambient pressure:
1. Improvement of product gas quality.
2. Maximization of hydrogasification reaction.
3. Reduction of equipment size.
4. Elimination of' need to separately pres su rize gas be fore intro-
duction ·into a pipeline.
Status of. Low, Intermediate and High BTU Gasification Systems
The design features of several low an~ intennediate Btu gasification
processes are given in Table 5-3. However, only the Lurgi and
Koppers-Totzek processes are used commerci ally to any great extent at
present, although the Winkler and Wellman-Galusha processes have been used
on a smaller scale (Souby, 1978}. The other processes in Table 5-4 are in
the pilot plant stage. Sane ·Of the se technologies are described by the
Science and Public Policy Program of the University of Oklahoma (1975).
The Koppers-Tozek process is shown in Figure 5-10.
The design features of five high-BTU gasification processes are given in
Table 5-5. It is important to note that all five systems are still in the
developmental stage. To date, there is no completely proven commercial
methanat1on (high BTU gas) process (Lewis, 1975).
Underground Coal Gasification
Underground coal gasification, which was started by the Soviets in the
early 1930 1 s, has reached the commercial stage in Russia and has produced
low BTU gas which is used for power generation (Fisher, 1975).
In the United States, significant in-situ coal gasification experiments of
special interest to Alaska are being conducted at the Hanna Coal Field,'
Wyoming by the Laramie Energy Research Center. These tests are called
Hanna I, II, III, IV, and V.
5-43
U"'
1 ... ..
j
1
TABlE .5-4-
SELECTED DESIGI!I FM'ttnul:S OF FOU~
LOW-AND Ilft'ERMElliA'l"E-M'U GASIFICA'UON PROCESSES
Name Reac tor Bed Type Pressure Hydrogen Oxygen He at Pretreatment Coal Input Type Sources Sources
Lurgi Gasifier Modified 300-450 Steam Air/ Direct Sizing Noncaking
fixed pounds per oxygen burning l/4x2 inch,
square inch "lO fines
' Koppers:...Totzek Ga si fier Extrained Atmospheric Steam Oxygen Direct Pulverizing Caking or
suspension burning noncaking,
pulverizeda
BuMinesb Ga si fier Modified Atmospheric Ste am Air Direct Pulverizing Caking or
fixed to 300 burning noncaking,
pounds per coarse or
square inch fine
Westinghouse Gasifier Fluidized 200-300 Steam Air Direct and Pulverizing Caking or
pounds per ·internal drying, noncaking,
square inch exothe:rntic integrated pulverized
reactions in devolatiles/
desulfurizer desulfurizers
Ash agglomerating Gasifier Fluidized Pressurized Ste am Air Direct Pulverizing Caking or
bu ming noncaking,
pulverized
:
a . . -• . . Pulver~zed means crushed so that 70 to 80 percent of the coal passes a 200-mesh screen (0.003 ~nch},
bThe BuMines process listed here is often identified as two processes. The only difference between the two is
that one is pressurized.
Source: Science and Public Policy Program, University of Oklahoma, Energy Alternatives: A Comparative
Ana lys i s , p. 1-73 .
_l
01
1
.po
C.J'l
Cool
Preparai ion
Ste am
Otld
Oxygen
Figure 5-10
Quench,
r-• ---:J~-~' He at Recovery,
and. Scrubbing
· Approx. 2750° F
Atm. Pressure
Gasifier
Ash
Koppers-Totzek Coal Gasification"Process
Source: Science and Public Policy Program, University of Oklahoma, Energy
Alternatives: A Comparative Analysis, p. 1-75.
01
1 .· .r::. en
TABLE 5-5
·""'-
SELECTED DESIGN FEATURES OF PIVE HIGH-BTU GASIFICATION PROCESSSS
Reactor Pressure Hydrogen Oxygen Name Bed Type {pounds per Type square inch) Sources Sources He at Pretreatment Coal Input
;
Lurgi Gasifier Modified 300-500 Ste am Oxygen Direct Sizing Noncaking,
Fixed Plant l/4x2 inch,
no fines
HYGAS Hydrogasifier Fluidized 1,000 Hydrogen a Oxygen Direct Sizing, 8 to lOO
Plant heating mesh fines
and slurry all coals
BI,-GAS Gasifier and Entrained 1,000 Steam Oxygen Direct None Liquid to
Hydrogasifier Flow Plant rank A
---bituminous
pulverized
Synthane Gasifier Fluidized 1,000 Ste am Oxygen Direct Sizing and All coals
devolatilizer Plant heat and fines of
volatilize 200 mesh ..
co 2 Acceptor Gasifier Fluidized 150 .. Ste am Air Direct and Sizing Lignite or
devolatilizer Indirect subbituminous,
1/8 inch
-'----
aHydrogen introduced into the gasifier is produced by reaction of steam, char, and oxygen.
Source: Science and Public Policy Program, University of Oklahoma, Energy Alternatives: A Comparative
Analysis, p. l-82. ·
(.
L
·~
Hanna I and II were conducted .in the Hanna #I coal seam, a 30 foot thick
subbituminous coal seam about 400 feet deep with a dip of 7 to 9 degrees.
Conducted fran March, 1973, through March, 1974, Hanna I util ized 4,000
tons of coal to produce 1.6 MM scfd of 126 BTU/scf gas.
The Hanna II, Phase I, test was conducted in 1975 and Phase II and III in
1976. The Hanna II test was very successful in several aspects. For
example, the highest gross. heating value ever produced from an air-blown
UCG {underground coal gasification) experiment was obtained (2. 7 MM scfd
of 152 BTU/scf gas during 38 days of gasification between two wells on a
52.5 feet spacing with the utilization of 1,260 tons of coal). With th~
success of Hanna II, plans have been made for Hanna III, IV, and V •.
Hanna III has been designed to determine the impacts of UCG on groundwater
qual i ty, a sig ni ficant envi rormental issue. Hanna IV invol ves a
significant scale up of prior experiments, especially use of larger
piping.
The Hanna V test must await the results of IV for final design; however,
the general objectives are:
1. Demonstrate expansion of technology to smallest process unit.
2. Demonstrate operation of multiple-channel system.
3. Determine impacts of subsidence on the process.
4. Demonstrate an automated process control system.
5. Develop baseline information for pilot plant design.
6. Develop data for commercial scale economie analyses.
5-47
The Hanna V test is currently scheduled to start in FY79 and run for a
maximum duration of 12 months, ut il izing 100,000 tons of coal, and having
an air injection rate of 65 MM scfd with a 110 MM scfd gas rate and a
heating value of 170 BTU/scf. Successful completion "would be followed by
construction and opera ti on of a pilot plant for el ectrical generation to
demonstrate the totally integrated technol ogy" (Bradenburg, 1977).
TheL inked Vertical Well Technique
The UCG process being tested by the Laramie Energy Research Center (LERC)
is known as the Linked Vertical Well (LVW) Technique. It involves two
major steps: preparation of the coal seam followed by gasification as
depicted in Figure· 5-11. The details of this process are given by Fisher
{1977).
The canposition typical of gas produced using the LVW technique in the . . 1
underground coal gasification experiment at Hanna, Wyoming is given below:
constituent
H A~on
N c~4
co
~ÔH6
c3~a
C3H6
i·C4Hl0
H S H~ating value,
Other Coal G.asi fication Concepts
Mole-Percent
15.96
0.76
53.18
3.91
6.33
0.39
19.22
0.13
0.04
0.01
0.07
124 BTU/std. cu. ft.(Fisher, 1975)
In addition to the LVW {Linked Vertical Well) concept, which is applicable
for a bed thickness of 15 to 50 feet, there is the Longwell Generator
(LWG), the Steeply Dipping Bed (SDB) and the Thick Packet Bed (TPB).
Morgantown ~nergy Researc;h Center is deve1 oping the LWG concept which
inval ves eastern coal s in beds less than 15 feet thiel<. The SOB inval ves
5-48
·~
~
. WELL 1 WELL 2
.
11 j;llj 111)) 111.
(A} VIRGIN COAL
HIGH PRESSURé GAS
At/R INJECTION . : PRODUCTION
~ _("'
1 11 IIQd@! 11 111~,,,/11
(C) COMBUSTION UNKING
FRONT PROCEEDS TO
$OURCE OF AIR
H!GH VOLUME
AIR INJECTION
~
GAS
PRODUCTION·, (" \
/11~1 ~:~~(~~~~~. • 1 /';t'_ t,, 1 i 1 1 1 11 1
(E} COM8USTI6N FRONT
PROCEEDS IN THE SAME
DIRECTION AS fNJECTEO
'AlR
GAS
PRODUCTION
~
HIGH PPE:SSURE
AIR INJECTION ,
OOWN·HOLE
ELECTRIC
HEATER
. ./ 1j.l v 1 !,.!_! ;{ 1111 lj , .... -.. o 11
(B) 1 GNITlON OF COAL
LOW PRESSURE
AIR INJECTION :.
.
GAS
PRODUCTION
r.--
.
111/J 1// ~~~'/! .... -. ,,.,,.,,/
(0) LINKÀGE COMPLETE WHEN
COMBUSTION ZONE REACHES
INJECTION WELL (SYSTEM
READY FOR GASIFICATION)
HIGH VOLUME
AIR INJECTION
~
GAS
PRODUCTION r:-
/, .-~ll//~!1 v ~ ~,;: _ r'h -,y,-' 1 /
(F) COMBUSTION FRONT EVENTUALLY
REACHES PRODUCTION WELL
-~Fi·gure 5·11
Schematic of the LVW·UCG Process
Seurce: D. D. Fischer et al., 11 A Rè:port on the Successful Development of
Underground Coal Gasification at Hanna, Wyoming;11 1977.
-1-
5-49
thicknesses of 15 to 50 feet with a dip greater than 45°. The Lawrence
Livennore Laboratories are developing the TPB concept which involves a
coal bed thickn.ess of over 50 feet.
Experience and Interest in Alaska
Coal gasification technology is of major interest to Alaska, especially iri
the Southcentral Region where natural gas is rapidly diminishing as a
future fuel for electric power generation. Natural gas has served much of
the electrical and space heating need of the Anchorage area for years •
. Theoretically at least, gasified coal, either from on-shore or beneath the
water in Cook Inlet, could · supply the Anchorage area energy for decades.
The coal near and under the water of Cook Inlet deserves special attention
since McGee and O'Connor (1975) have estimated in place coal resources to
be 1.3 trillion short tons. These estimates are based upon coal counts
made in 86 wells drilled for hydrocarbons in Cook Inlet. Also, these
coals are not only low in sulfur, but probably have the desired properties
of most western coal s, 1. e. they are shrinking coals in that they do not
expand upon heating. (Eastern coal s expand upon heating and therefore
' cause the internal pore structure to remain tight. This reductes the
crack fonnation due to gasification and exposes only a small amount of the
potential reaction area.) Also, a nearby demand for energy exists now and
will increase in years to cane.
The production of oil from sorne of the platfonns in Cook Inl te is
decl ining to the point that future production may soon be uneconomical.
But, with sorne experimental hardware on the platfonn, underground gasi-
fication tests could be conducted. If successful, an oil pl atfonn coul d .
possibly serve as the location of the gathering station for low BTU
gasification production. Natural gas could then be pumped on-shore to gas
turbi tïe electrical genera ting faci li ti es. Perhaps the el e.ctrical
generating facil ities could even be installed on the platfonn requiring.
only .an electrical transmission 1 i ne to transport the energy to utility
·cu s tprile rs ~
5-50
~·
~
·~
\,.._,) Recognizing the potential for energy from gasified coal, Chugach El ectric
Association, lnc. has been in contact with ERDA (Energy Research &
Oevel opme nt Administration, now Department of Energy) for funding a of
proposed in-situ coal gasification project. The steep-bed deposit under
consideration i s located along the lower Beluga River approxima tel y six
miles north-northwest of the Beluga Station {Gas Turbine Electrical
Generation Plant). Land ownership in the area is addressed in detail in
another part of this report; however, this land is owned by the State of
Alaska.
Exploration work in the general a rea indi ca tes that the beds occur in a
homocl1ne wi th fai rly steep dips ta the south. Six seams have been
identified from drill ing and from river bluff exposures overrun at
intervals varying from 50 ta 150 feet over a horizontal distance of
approxima tel y 3,000 feet. .Beds range in thickness from 8 feet ta more
than 20 fe~t, and overburdeh depths are bel i eved to vary from 20 feet ta
more than 70 feet.
No access roads yet exist to the area of the deposit. Hel icopters and
tracked · vehicles ( usually after freeze-up) are the practical means of
access. Bec au se overl and access from Beluga requ ires traversing extensive
muskeg areas, such access is difficult during the summer months.
The turbine which appears best suited to a gasification project is Beluga
Unit No. 4, a 9-MW jet machine located in a separate wing on the east side
of the power plant. Either Beluga Unit 1 or Unit 2 --the 16.5 MW simple
cycle mac::hines located in the main building --could be made available in
lieu of Unit 4. The other three units in this station have 54.60, 65 .. 50
and 67.81 megawatt base ratings.
CHEMICALS FROM COAL
Chemicals can be obtained from coal by (a) distillation, (b) heating coal
with steam and oxygen ta pro~uce a synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon
monoxide and hydrogen, which in turn is used as a feedstock to produce
5-51
chemicals, ·(c) direct hydrogenation, and (d) producing a solvent refined
-coal {SRC) ··. 1 iqui.d for use as a feedstock to make chemical s. The SRC
processes are addressed later in this chapter.
Historically, coal was used as a chemical feedstock, but petroleum and
'natur:-al gas have been substituted as cheaper feedstocks as they became
availa·ble •. ·· However, because of the recent rising costs and decrea:sing
availabi li ty of petrol eum and natural gas, there. is renewed interest in
the .possibility of using coal-derived liquids as chemical feedstock (US
Energy Reseach and Oevelopment Administration, 19.76).
· Today only a fraction of the worl d 1 s organic chemical s are made fran coal,
·derived fran coke production, or by deliberate synthesis. About 10
percent of the total crude oil, natural gas, and gas 1 iquid production now
goes · to satisfy petrochemical industry feedstock and energy demand.
Projections of demand for c2-c 4 olefins in the United States for the next
decade indicate that a two-fold expansion in manufacturing capacity will
be necessary. This new capacity will be based primarily on 11 Cracking
heavier feedstocks, such as naphtha or gas oil derived fran coa1.11 Besides
olefins, · which are valuable as basic chemicals for the manufacture of
plastics and rubber, the paraffinic c2-c 3 hydrocarbons are valuable as
high-BTU supplements for pipeline gas. Alcohols and hydrocarbons of
somewhat higher molecular weight can be used as gasol ine blending stocks
or cracked to ga seo us hydrocarbons .(Pittsburgh Energy Center, ND).
Dow Chemi cal Canpany started a tes ting program in 1974 to detennine the
advantages and disadvantages of using coal-derived 1 iquids for petro-
chemical feedstocks. The processing of the liquid sample involved (a)
distillation, (b) hydrocracking, (c) hydrotreating, (d) refonning, and (e).
steam. coil cracking (U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration,
1976).
·--""":~~· ~------
5~52
~~
'·..J
~~
Distillation
Chemicals can be obtained fran coal by different methods. The tenn 11 Coal
chemicals 11 refers to refined materials recovered fran the crude liquids
obtained fran the gases and vapors released during coal carbonization,
i.e. destructive distillation. Yields of chemicals vary with the kind of
coals carbonized. Approximately 315 pounds of coke-oven gas
(noncondensible material rich in hydrogen and methane), 90 pounds of tar,
20 pounds of cru'de light oil and 5 pounds of ammonia are recovered for
each ton of coal carbonized at oven-coke plants (Cooper, 1976).
In the early days of the industry, coke byproducts were considered of
value only for their tar content. The first recorded attempt to refine
these byproducts by the distillation of coal tar was at Glasgow, Scotland
in 1822.
The hydrocarbons from coke-oven byproduct ga ses boil ing bel ow 338°F are
generally referred to as light oils. Prior to World War II practically
the entire nation's supply of benzene, toluene and xylene were produèed
fran this 1 ight oil. At that time, the tar was often burned as a fuel,
but la rger plants di stilled it and manufactu red ad di tional byproducts.
Sorne of the products produced by distillation of a high temperature coal
tar are phenol, creosol s, pyridine, benzene, tol uene., xylenes, naphtha-
lene, creosote, anthracene, and pitch. During World War II, coal could
not meet the demand of these products and processes were devel oped for
the ir production fran petrol eum (Tetra Tech, 1976).
Synthesis Gas
The production of c2-c 4 hydrocarbons or other ch.emical s from coal coul d be
ac hi eved by · a canbination of processes with synthesis gas as the
feedstock. The flow diagram, Figure 5-12, shows the gasification of coal.
in the pre.sence of steam and oxygen to produce synthesis gas, a mixture of
·~. carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Commercial ga si fiers su ch as
'-Koppers-Totzek, Lurgi, or Winkler could be used. New gasifier designs,
5-53
STEAM
.OXYGEN"'
GASIFIER
STE AM -OXYGEN
COAL
RESIDUE
SYNGAS
FEEDSTOCK
TAR
AND
OUST
HYDROCARBON
CATALYTIC
CONVERTER
HOT
CARBONATE
SCRUBBER
SYNTHE SIS
GAS
HYDROCARBONS
...... AND ALCOHOLS
Figure 5-12
Hydrocarbon Synthesis
Coal to Fuels and Petrochemicals
· Fl CWI Di a gram
Source: Pittsburgh Energy Research Center, Clean Energy From Coal, p. 19
5-54
v
~
·~
·~ such as that used in the SYNTHANE, HYGAS, or BI-GAS processes, ar~ being
tested and will become available for this purpose (Pittsburg Eneorgy
Resource Center, ND)~
Util izing synthesis gas as a feedstock, coal-based ammonia and methanol
may be competitive in the United States with the products derived from gas
and residual oil s by 1980. Si nee 1970, Monsanto has been producing acetic
acid using a methanol/carbon monoxide feed. Union Carbide is well into
the pilot plant stage wi th .a process that reacts carbon monoxide and
hydrogen at extremely high pressure to produce ethylene glycol.
Coal-based methanol can be converted to ethanol and then dehydrated to
produce ethylene. This product could compete in cost with the same
product produced by conventional processes.
Direct Hydrogenation
The March 1978 issue of the Fossil Energy Research and Development Program
·~ of the U .S. Department of Energy gives the sta tus of a number of projects
that make liquids from coal for chemical feedstocks, high grade fuel
(gasoline and heating oil) and boiler fuels (for electric power
generation}. These government sponsored projects are grouped into direct
hydrogenation, pyrolysis {or carbonization which amounts to destructive
distillation to yield liquid and gaseous products and char) and solvent
extraction processes.
'"'-'
·The direct hydrogenation processes underway are:
H-Coal
Fixed-Bed Hydrogenation (Synthoil)
Zinc Chloride Catalyst
Disposable Catalyst Hydrogenation
Multistage Liquefaction
(Cooper, 1976)
5-55
The above processes are simil ar in th at they add hydrogen to coal us ing a
catalyst for 1 iquefaction to oil and remove the sul fur as gaseous hydrogetf
sulfide. Sorne of the processes are directed more toward a liquid boiler
fuel while sorne of the products can be used for chemical feedstocks.
Aromatic Chemicals From coal (Clean Coke Process)
A detai1ed economie study of a process which combines coking and 1 iquefac-
tion techniques indicates a substantially greater potential for aromatics
yield than from other routes.
Carbonization was employed extensively until 1951 for the manufacture· of
metallurgical coke and was the principal source of aromatic chemicals.
Coal hydrogenation, or liquefaction, offers another route to aromatic
chemicals; however, until recently this process has been of little
inter(!st except to Gennany for coal-based fuels during World War II.
U.S. Steel has canbined the two historically basic routes to aromatics .
from coal --carbonization and hydrogenation --into a "Clean Coke
Process ." According to Schowal ter and Pet ras ( 1975) the new prdcess
featu res:
1. Production of high-quality metallurgical coke from a ..
high-sul fur, high-ash coal not normally cons idered sui table for ,
metallurgical purposes.
2. Production of substantfal quanti ti es of aromatics, other
èhemicals, and gaseous and liquid fuels which generate sub-
stantial co-product credits and could tend to reduce the demand
for domestic natural gas and imported crude oil.
3. Production of coke in an "enclosed'' process offering substantial
ecological advantages over the coke-oven route •.
The Process
The coa1, after benefication, is split into two fractions. Part of the
coal is prQcessed through a carbonization unit to produce char which
serves as the base material for production of metallurgfcal coke. The
5-56
~.
:. '~ ~
1
\ .._.. second part of the coal . is hydrogenated to convert most of the coal to
liquid. The liquid products fran the hydrogenation step as well as spme
1 iquid products from the carbonization step are corn bi ned and processed'
through a central liquids treatment unit where chemical feedstock,
low-sulfur liquid fuels and two oil fractions (used for recycles) are
formed.
One recycle fraction is used as the carrier oil for the hydrogenation step
and the second recycle oi1 is blended with the char to form pellets which
are subsequently baked to produce a fonned metallurgical coke with
properties equivalent to blast-furance coke. Gaseous products fran all
the steps are processed to provide chemical feedstocks, gaseous fuels and
hydrogen for recycle.
The Products
. . .
The estimated annual production and revenue, for the chemicals, fuels and
coke, fran a plant with a capital investment of $740-million (Schowalter,
1975) is given in Table 5-6. The plant would use a coal feed of 5.79
million ton/yr based on a 340 operating day/year.
The properties of the coal are given in Table 5-7. Note that the proper-
ties of Beluga coal's shown in Appendix 5-C are much different than the
Illinois No. 6 coal used in this study. The very low sulfur of Beluga
coal would probably be a significant advantage, but the higher moisture
and lower heat content would probably be disadvantageous; however, Alaskan .
coals have not been evaluated with respect to the Clean Coke Process.
SOLVENT REFINED COAL
The Sol vent Refined Coal (SRC) process has been cal led a mul ti synthetic-
fuels process and the plant employing the process has been called a
"coal~finery 11 (Higginson, 1977). Coal, which is chanically designated as'
CH.9 ~ fs so modified in a solvant refining plant that the products formed
•,._ have different ratios of carbon to hydrogen with the liquids having more
hydrogen than the solids.
5-57
01
1 '
01 co
Products
Chemicals:
·TABLE 5-6
Annuaf· production ami revenue for ci~Qke pr:~_commerdaf plant
lasfs; miiUMilGtrth site, uM&17 ~ton/4ay Utinoîs coat fetcl
~iftg a ntaK~m of •olœ pettet. 8IW cttetmcals and mirrimum fuel~
Annual production
Unit
priee,$
An nuai
revenue,$
Ammonia ........................•.. 34,000 ton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190.00 . . . . . • . . • • . . • . . • • 6,460,000
Sulfor ............................. 49,000 ton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.00 ...... •.r• •••••••• 2,058,000
Ethylene ..................... 723,000,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.08 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57,840,000
Propylene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119,000,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.06 . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . 7,140,000
Phenol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152,000,000 lb. . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . 0.26 ........•....... 39,520,000
a-Cresol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,400,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.425 ............... 16,320,000
m-, p-Cresol ................... 142,000,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.44 ................ 62,480,000
Xylenols ...................... 150,000,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.43 ................ 64,500,000
Pyridine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,600,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,140,000
a:-Picoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . 6,100,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.60 . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,660,000
Aniline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . 29,200,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,052,000
Benzene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . . 80,400,000 gal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.85 . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . 68,340,000
Naphthalene ................... 229,000,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.12 ........ · ........ 27,480,000
Creosote blend stock .............. 4,130,000 gal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.55 .. • . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,272,000
Carbon black feed stock ............ 3,700,000 gal. . .. .. • . . . . .. . . . . . . 0.35 .. .. . .. .. . • .. .. . 1,295,000
Total chemicals ............... 2,418,000,000 lb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 0.1577 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381,557,000
Fuels: hydrogenation residue .. . .. . .. . .. 669,000 ton . . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. . 11.15 .. . .. . . .. . . .. . . . 7,466,000
Coke ..................•....••.... 2,223,000 ton .......•.......... 120.00 .•..•.•. , . . . • • • 266,700,000
TOTAL REVENUE . . . • . • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . . • . . . . • . . . . • • . • . • . . • . • . . . . . . . • . • • • • . . . . 155,783,000
Source: 1(. A. Schowalter andE. F. Petras, 11 Aromatic Chemical frQm Coal,11 Goal
· ProcessingTechnology, p. 111.
( c
L
TABLE 5-7
Properties of raw and bene.ficiated coals
Carbonizer Hydrogenation
Raw coat feed feed
Moisture, wt.-% . . . . 8-10 ...... 3.5 ....... 3.5
Ash, wt.-%........ 15 ...... 5-6 ....... 14
Sulfur, wt.·% ...... 3.5-4 ...... 2 . . . . . . . 3
Wt.-% of raw coal . . -...... 42 ....... 42
Size •••••••••••••••.•••.• 1/8-in. X •• Minus 100-mesh
1'00-mesh
Source: K. A. Schowalter and E. F. Petras,
11 Aromatic Chemicals from Coal,11
Goal Processing Technology, . p. 111.
5-59
The basic technology for the SRC process was developed ;J Gennany $OOn ~
after World War 1. Two Gennan scientists, Pott and Broche, patented the
basic process for dissolving coal and reducing its ash content in 1932.
SRC Process
In the SRC process, crushed coal is slurried with a hydrogen donor solvent
and exposed to 1,000 psi and 800 degrees F. in a hydrogen atmosphere. The
coal th en dissolves into the sol vent, picki ng up hydrogen. The sol ut ion
is filtered to remove most of the ash and the undissolved coal. The
fil ter has been one of the most significant hardwa-re problems in this
. process.
The undissolved coal makes up about 35% of the filter cake. This filter
cake together wi th raw co al can be used to produce hydrogen. The re-
maining liquid (solvent, dissolved coal and light oil) is vacuum flashed
at 3500°F to fonn a sol id material. Fuel oils and high BTU gases are al so
fonned. If a predaninantly lfquid product is desired, additional hydrogen
wi 11 be needed ~
The SRC process is designed to produce a clean sol1d 'or liquid fuel that
has a s ignificantly 1 ower sul fur and ash content yet a higher heating
value than feed coal (Anderson, 1977). A canparison of Illinois high
sulfur coa1 with Wyoming low sulfur coal before and after treatment in the
SRC plant at Wilsonville, Alabama is given in Phase I, Volume I (pp. 106)
of this project (McConkey, 1977).
Pilot Plant-Ft. Lewis
Bench sc ale work on the present SRC process was carried out fran 1962 to
1965 by the Spencer Chemical Company, under the sponsorship of the Office
of Coa1 Research of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Spencer
Chemical Company was acquired by Gulf 011 Corporation and work on the SRC
process was continued by the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company, a
Gulf subsidiary. Under the sponsorship of the Energy Research and
Development Administration (and later the Department of Energy), Pittsburg
& Midw~ oper~tes a SRC pilot plant at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
5-60
··~
Initially the product at Ft. Lewis was a solid (SRC-1). One improvement
that re sul ted fran the pilot operation was the recycli ng of product s1urry'
as solvent which increased the conversion of the coal ta a lower molecular
weight fuel. This result led ta a process (SRC-II) that makes a 1 iquid
rather than a sol id product. The customer for the SRC-II liquid is the
utility industry.
The econcmics of an SRC-I plant (as well as other modes of operation, i.e.
recycled SRC-liquid, co-product and solid) have been addressed by Schmid.
(1977) and SRC-II technology by Anderson (1977).
The next s.tep for the SRC-II process may be a 6,000 tons/day demonstration
plant which would be the equivalent of one mOdule of a 30,000 tons/da,}"
commercial plant.
Pilot Plant -Wilsonville ·
The Edison El ectric Insti tu te and the Sou the rn Company system began a
joint plant project in March, 1972 ta study the key steps in sol vent
refining. Begi nning operations in January, 1974, the 6-ton per day plant
was designed, constructed, and operated by Catalytic, Inc. near Wilson ..
ville, Alabama.
Testing at Wil sonville has been successful in meeting coal product
specifications for maximum ash and sul fur. Operating experimentally oyer
a wide range of candi tians, one subbituminous and four bi tuminous coal s
have been used ta produce specification-grade SRC. The SRC product at
Wilsonville is a high BTU, law ash, law sulfur solid which is designed for
use in electrical power plants. Additionally, valuable mechanical
perfonnance 1nfonna tian on the pumps, val v es, fil ter, mineral residue.
dryer, slurry preheater, and instrumentation deviees has been obtained
(Huffman, 1976 and Harrison, ND).
The economies of sol vent refined coal has been analysed by Chas ta in of
Southern Company Services (Chastain, 1976).
5-61
Experience 1n Alaska
The Beluga Coal District was selected as the location for a study 'to
determine if the sol vent refined coal (SRC) process could be used (iS .a
means of "economically producing clean energy from coal deposits loca:ted
in remote a reas." As a result of this study by Stanford Research
Institute, wh ich was prepared for the Energy Research and Oevel opment
Administration with financial support and proprietary data provided by
Placer-Amex Inc. and Ni ssho-Iwa i American Corporation, a weal th of
information is now available on mining, conversion, transportation and
markets for the Beluga Coal Fields.
The above study concl uded that sol vent refined products derived from
Alaskan coals might not affect the fuel market place in the Pacifie .Rim
countrfes. Del ivered costs were estimated to be in the range of $3.80 to
$4.00 (1975 dollars) per million BTU in both Cal ifornia and Japan for the
sol vent refined fuels. The priee of low-sulfur fuel oil is expected to be
significantly lower (Stanford Research Institute, 1976).
· It is very important to note that non-fuel use of the sol vent refined èoal
was not add.ressed. If sorne of the solvent refined coal is used as. a>
petrochenical feedstock or as an additive to metallurgical coke or
electrode coke, the economies would probably change in a favorable
di rection. But, whether this change would be exte~sive enough to make the
production of SRC economically attractive for industry in Alaska is
unknown.
METHANOL
The conversion of coal to methanol is considered by sorne technologists who·
are interested in coal. development in Alaska, to be approching a
. commercial real i ty.
5..;62
Jl
'W
"'-/
A conceptual design of a commercial facility to convert coal to methanol
fuel and/or methanol. has been recently completed by Badger Plants, Int.,
Cambridge, Massachusetts for U.S. Department of Energy. Excerpts from the
abstract are given below:
[This] four-volume report presents the result of an in-depth engin-
eering and economie assessment of a conceptual design for a commer-
cial facility to convert coal into methanol fuel and/or methanol
using a southern Appalachian coal feed. The process steps involve an
advanced coal gasification technique followed by a hydrogen-carbon
monoxide shift reaction, acid gas removal and sulfur recovery
process, and finally, a methanol synthesis reaction. ·
The plant processes 63,000 net tons per day (total weight basis) of
washed sized coal from independant mine sources. An additional 11,000
net tons per day of coal is required for steam generation for support
facil ities. Salable products are 415,000 bbls of methanol fuel and
methanol, and 660 tons of bright sulfur per day. The total capital
cast is estimated at $3.1 billion (mid-1977 dollars). '
The product methanol fuel is estimated to cast 18.8 cents per U.S.
gallon {$3 .00 per million Btu) at the plant fence li ne and chemical·
grade methanol is priced at 20.8 cents per gallon ($3.22 per million
Btu).
Market aspects of the .products are not addressed in this report;
however, methanol fuel can be used as a feed for fuel cell s, as a
fuel in ut il i ty services for gas turbine-generator fi ring, as a raw
material for SNG production (especially for emergency use), and as a
potential feed stock for gasol ine manufacture.
The plant complex will require 2,500 acres of land. During a
five-year construction ·peri ad a total fi el d la bor effort of 48
million manhours will be required. The labor force will average 6,000
men with peak employment levels of up to 9,000 people. The completed
facility will employ approximately 1700 full-time operating,
maintenance, and support personnel.
Envi ronmenta1 probl ems associated with this indus tri al compl ex are
addressed. Waste wa ter treatment i.ncorporates 11 zero di scharge"
philosophy; gaseous emissions are held below the standards permitted
by law.
Wentworth Brothers have publ i shed a pamphlet which describes thei r tech-
nol ogy for the commercial production of Methyl Fuel. The fuel is produced
by passing a synthesis :gas, consisting of hydrogen {H 2) ·and carbon
monoxide (CO), over a catalyst under controlled conditions of temperature
and pres su re. The canpany ela ims that coal-derived, fuel-grade methanol
5-63
is the vehicle for a vast fossil energy del ivery system. Methyl Fuel is a
stable liquid mixture consi sting principally of methanol (CH 30H) wi th
controllable percentages of higher al cohol s.
With respect to the transportation of coal it is possible to convert sorne
of the constituants of the fossil fuel into methanol and the remaining
portion of the coal into 11 qu id hydrocarbons. The methanol can then be
mixed wfth the liquid hydroca~bon for transportation by pipeline (Gruber,
1977).
RECOMMENDAT IONS·
The use of Alaskan coals for generation of electricity is currently
feasible in the Usibelli to Fairbanks area. The Beluga Coal District is
·on the verge of development and a sl ight improvement in technol ogy and/or
a change in fuel economies could make the sale of Beluga Coal profitable
to bath industry and the State of Alaska.
(.1) Wfth respect to the generation of electricity using Beluga Coal, con-
sideration should be given to different methods to meet the
requi rements of the Clean Air Act, including recent amendments;
w.ithout scrubbers. Scrubbers are expensive, may cause electrical
iplant down-time, and require special operating talent. Since the
Beluga Coal is law in sulfur as mined, an examination of tech~.
· nologiéal options for removal of sulfur in low sulfur coal should be
· made.
(2) While an earlier study indicated that a solvent refined coal would
not be,'feaiible for fuels produced from Beluga coal, a careful study
should be made to determine the possibility of using Alaskan coals to
make a solvent refined sol id that could be used for metallurgical and
electrode coke. Alaskan coals should be studied for possible use as
a coke substitute ·and blend material for coke. production si nee thé
market· demand for coke is high and the priee is much higher than that
o,f .. co aL·. Al so, the Clean Coke Process shoul d be examined assuming
5.;.64
:,,. ·,,J
~
·~
that the feed for the process would be low-sulfur Alaska coal,
thereby lowering construction and operating costs and increasing the
quality of the aramatic chemicals, coke and other products.
(3) With respect to the production of liquid fuels and chemical s, Alaska
should carefully follow research progress of the various processes.
{4) Alaska should attempt to persuade industry and the Federal government
to test various Alaskan coals in conjunction with pilot plant tests
that are made on Eastern and Western Coa1 s. Tao often, coal s are
tested fran all over the nation except Alaska.
(5) An analysis should be made of coal processing experiments that have
been unsuccessful because of the high sulfur content of the feed coal
to detennine whether sfmilar tests with Alaska's low sulfur coal may
have been successful.
(6) Renewed interest in Beluga coal gasification projects is warranted.
8oth on-shore and off-shore locations should be analyzed, as well as
und erg round ( steeply or sl fghtl y di pping beds) and a bave grou nd.
locations.
A low BTU gasffication pilot plant could be located near the gas
turbine electrical generation facil ities of Chugach Electric Associ-
ation. Additionally, the existing holes near sorne of ~he oil
platfonms in Cook Inlet should be examined for the engineering
feasibility of in-situ gasification tests. The electrical energy
could be generated on the pl atfonn .or the pl atfonn coul d be used to
gather the gases for pumpfng to on-shore electrical generation
facilities. $ince the Beluga Coal District has (1) a huge quantity
of low sulfur coal, (2) coal with shrinking properties which are
probably favorable to the Li nked. Vertical Well (LVW) process, (3)
many deep holes for which geological information is available, (4) a
large rapidly growing Anchorage energy market potential, (5)
electrical generation facilities favorably located and (6) util ity,
industry and State interest in a ga si fi cation test, an experimental
program should be developed with the participation of all interested
parties. 5-65
KEY CONTACTS
. 1 A. W. (Woody) Baker, Jr.
Production Superintendent
Golden Valley Electric Association
P.O. Box 1249
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
(907) 452·1151
Oenni s D. Fischer
Project Supervi sor
Underground Coal Gasification u.s. Department of Energy
Laramie Energy Research Center
P.O., Box 3395, University Station
Laramie. Wyoming 82071
Lawrence D. Markley
Manager of Envi ronme.ntal Systems
Chugach Electric Association, Inc.
731 Gambell
Anchora.ge, Alaska 99501
. (907) 276-3500
C. E. McFarland
Vice President
Placer Amex Inc.
One Cal ifornia Building
Suite 2500
San Francisco, California 94111
(4l5) 986-0740
Be'nno J. G. Patsch
Placer Amex Inc.
One. California Building
Suite 2500
San Francisco, Cal ifornia 94111
(4.15) 986-0740
John M. Piatt
Process Engineer
The Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining
Company
Solvent Refined Coal Plant
P.O. Box 199
Dupont, Washington 98327
( 2'06) 964-8155
5-66
P. O. Rao
Professor of Coal Technol ogy ,
Mineral Industry Research Laboratory
University of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 479-7135
Robert Sanders, Chief
Mining Section ·
Division of Minerals and
Energy Management
Alaska Oepartment of Natural
Resources
703 W. Northern Lights
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
(907) 263-2260
L. J. Sc hu 1 tz
General Manager
Chugach Electric Association~ Inc~
731 Gambell
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
(907) 276-3500
Donald E. Severson
Professor
Oepartment of Chemical Engineering
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota 58201
(701) 777-4244
Everett A. Sondreal
Research Supervisor
U. S. Department of Energy
Grand Forks Energy Research Center
Box 8213, University Station
Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
Thomas R. Stahr
Manager
Municipal Light & Power
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
(907) 279-7671
.c,.J
:~
·~
""-
Gary A. Styles
Research Engineer
Southern Company Services, lnc.
P.O. Box 2625
Birmingham, Alabama 35202
(205) 870-6011
A. M. Souby
KEY CONTACTS
Manager, Sol vent Refined Coal Project
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
(701) 777-4244
Joseph E. Usibelli
President
Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc.
Usibelli, Alaska 99787
(907} 683-2226
Paul Wiber
Fossil Energy Research and Oevel opment Program
U. S. Department of Energy
20 Massachuetts Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20461
5-67
REFERENCES
,1·'·7
Anderson, R. P. {The Pittsburg & Midway Coal Minfng Co., Merri am, ·Kan-
sas). "The SRC II Process." Presented at the 1977 Annual Meeting
of the American Chemical Society, Chicago, Illinois, August_ .. 28 -
September 2, 1977.
Assistant Secretary for Energy Technol ogy. Fossil · Energy Research· and
Oevelopment Program of the U.S. Oepartment of Energy. March 1978.
Bottge, Robert (United States Bureau of Mines, Juneau, Alaska). Telecon
to Greg Edblan (Alaska Division of Energy and Power Development).
November 14, 1979. ·
Brandenburg, C. F., O. O. Fischer, R. M. Boyd, S. B. King, and A. E.
Humphrey. (Energy Research and Oevelopment Administration laramie,
Wyoming). 11 A Review of LERC 1 s in Situ Coal Gasification Project."
Presented at the Third Annual Underground Coal Conversion Sym-
posium, Fallen Leaf Lake, California, June 6-9, 1977.
Branberg, J. Phi11p. "The Implications of the Clean Air Act, Amendments
of 1977 for Coal Util ization,11 Societ~ of Mining Engineers of AIME.
For presentation at the 1978 sRE-AI E Annual Meeting, March 1,
1978.
Chastain, Richard H. "The Econanics of Sol vent Refined 'Goal." Research
Department, Southern Company Services, Inc., Binningham, Alabama,
November 1976.
Clasen, O. O. "Limestone/Gypsum Jet Bubbling Scrubbing Systems," Pre-.
sented at the Fourth EPA FGO Symposium, November 11, 1977, Holly-
wood, Florida. ·
"Coal Storage Methods," Fuel Engineering Data. Washington, D.C.
Cooper, O. Franklin. "Coke and Coal Chemical s," Mineral s Yearbook,
1974. Vol. I, Prepared by U.S. Bureau of Mines. Washington: U~S.
Government Printing Office, 1976, pp. 441-449.
Elliott, Thomas C. "S02 Removal fran Stack Ga ses," Power, Septembër,
1974, pp. 5-l. ..
Ellman, R. C., L. E. Paul son, and S. A. Cooley. "Commercial-Scale
Dryi ng of low Rank Western Co al s: Part I -Ra il Shi pme nt Test
Observations.•• Grand Forks, North Dakota: For presentation at 197o
Lignite Symposium, May 14-15, 1975. ·
Fischer, O. o., and l. A. Schrider. "New Pranise for Underground Gasi-
fication,11 Coal Processin~ Techno1Q9.Y. Vol. II. New York, N.v·.:
American Instîtute of C1iem1cal Engineers, 1975, pp. 98-103.
5-'68
Fischer, O. O., S. B. King, and A. E. Humphrey. (Energy Research and
Development Administration, Laramie Energy Research Center). "A
Report on the Successful Oevel opment of Underground Coal Gasifi-
cation at Hanna, Wyoming." Presented at · the American Chemka1
Society Meeting, Montreal, Canada, May 29-June 2, 1977.
Garrett, David. "Conceptual Design of a Coal to Methanol Commercial
Plant," Interim Final Report. By Bad ger Plants, !ne. for the U .S.
Oepartment of Energy. February 1978.
Gruber, Kurt, Willi Kein,
Fossil Fuel Materials."
1977.
and Klaus Hentschel. "Transporta ti on of
United States Patent #4,027 ,688. June 7,
Harrison, J. A. and I. S. Latimer, "Petrographie composition and nomen-
clature; preparation and carbonization," Co al Preparation. 1968. ·
Harrison, W. B. "Canmercializing Solvent Refined Coal." Southern·
Company Services, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama.
Higgi nson, G. W. "SRC coul d provide three-way approach to more energy,"
The 011 and Gas Journal. August 1, 1977, p. 89.
Huffman, Everett L. (Southern Company Services, Inc., Birmingham,
Alabama). "Opera ti ons at the Wil sonville SRC Pilot Plant." Pre-
sented at the Third Annual International Conference on Coal Gasi-..
fication and Liquefaction, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, August 3 -5, 1976.
Leonard, Joseph W., and David R. Mitchell. "Projecting Data From
Sample·S, 11
· Coal Pre~aration. New York: American Insti tu te of
Minin~, Metallurgicâ , and Petroleum Engineers, Inc., 1968.
Lewis, R. "Coal Gasification: Sane Engineering Problems," Coal Process-
ing Technol ogy. Vol. II. April 1975, pp. 126. --
Madenburg, R. S., O. M. Paulsnode and C. H. Sherman. "A Citrate FGO
· Process to.be tested at Coal-fired Industrial Power Plant,11 Energy
Management Guidebook 1977.
McConkey, w., D. Lane, c. Quinlan, M. Rahm, and G. Rutledge. Alaska
Regional Energy Resources: Planning Project-Phase I, Vol. . I.
Anchorage: Prepared by · Alaska Division of Energy and Power
Development for U.S. Energy Research and Development
Administration, October 1977.
McConkey, W., D. Lane, C. Quinlan, M. Rahm, and G. Rutledge. Alaska
Regional Energy Resources: Planning Project-Phase I, Vol. II .
. Anchorage: Prepared by Alaska Division of Energy and Power
· Development for U.S. Energy Research and Development
Adm,inistration, October 1977.
5-69
McGee, O. L., and K. M. O'Connor. "Cook In let Basin Subsurface Coal
Reserve St\.fdy." Alaska Open File Report #74. Alaska Division of
Geol ogi cal and Geophys ical Surveys, Energy Resources Section.
Anchorage, Alaska: State of Alaska, April 1975.
,Niessen, Walter R.,. and El bridge M. Smith. "Flue Gas Desulfurization-
Facts and Speculation," Iron and Steel Engineer. April 1975,
pp. 67.
Pa tseh, Benno. Conversation wi th Di vi sion of Energy and Power Oevel op-
ment. April 20, 1978 •
. Pauls.on, Leland E., S. Alex Cooley, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Clare Wegert,
Robert C. Ellman. "Experiences in Transportation of Dried Low-Rank
Western Coals." Society of Mining Engineers of AIME. Salt Lake
City, Utah: Presented at SME Fall Meeting, September 10-12, 19.75.
Pittsburgh Energy Research Center. Clean Energy From Coal. PERC-1000.
U. S. Energy Research and Oevel opment Administration.
Princiotta, Frank T. "Engineering Update for Flue Gas Desulfurization
Technology," Energy TechnoloQY V, Proceeding the Fifty Energy
Technology Conference, .· February 27 -March 7, 1978, Washingto.n,
D. C., Government Institutes, Inc., page 996.
Rao, Dr. P. O. Telephone Canmunication to Alaska Division of Energy and
Power Development, June 5, 1978.
Rao, Dharma P., and Ernest N. Wolff. "Characterization and Evaluation
of Washability of Alaskan Coals." Mineral Industry Research
Laboratory (M. I. R.L. Report No. 41}, University of Alaska,
Fairbanks, Alaska: May 1978. ·
Reber, S. A., et. al. "The ADL Extractive Coking Process," Coal Process-
1ng Technol ogf" Vol. ·II l. ed. Chemical Engineering PrôQrëss Staff.
American Inst tute of Chemical Engineers, 1977, pp. 187-193.
Rutledge, Gene P., and E. Fast. "Analysis of the Economies of Coal
Versus Nuclear for Power Plant Near Boise, Idaho." Idaho Nuclear
Energy Canmission, Office of Nuclear Energy Development, Ma.rch
1976.
Schmid, B. K., and D. M. Jackson. (Gulf Mineral Resources Ccmpany,
Denver, Colorado). "Recycle SRC Processing for L iquid and Sol id
Fuel s." Presented at the Fourth Annual International Conference on
Coal G:asif1cation, Liquefaction and Conversion to Electricity,
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 2-4,
1977. .
Schowalter, K. A., and N.S. Boodman (U.S. Steel Corporation, Monroe-
. ville, Pa.). "The Clean-Coke Process for Metallurgical Coke," Coal
Process i~ Technol ogy. Vol. I. ed. Chemical Engineering Progress
Staff. · rican Institute of Chemical Engineers, 1977, pp. 76-82.
5-70
l. ,.!Ji!'> ~
L Schowalter, K. A., and E. F. Petras (U.S. Steel Corp.}. "Aromatic
Chemicals from Coal ," Coal Processinf Technolog,y. Vol. II. ed ..
Chemicals Engineering J5'r'Ogress Sta f. American Institute of
Chemical Engineers, 1975, pp. 109-113.
Science and Public Policy Program, University of
Energ>: Alternatives~ A Comparative Analysis. Prepared
ERDA, EPA, FEA, ~ C, DOl, NSF. Washington, o.c.: U.S.
Printing Office, May 1975, Chapter 1.
Oklahoma.
for CEQ,
Government
Scollen, T. Reed (Assistant Director, Fuels, Minerals, & Materials
Supply). "On Assesment of Coal Resources," Chemical
Engineering Progress. U.S. Bureau of Mines, June 1977, pp. 25-30.
Sondreal, Everett A., and Robert C. Ellman. laboratory Determination of
Factors Affecting Storage of North Dakota lignite: Com~uter Simu-
lation or Spontaneous Heatins. RI 7887. Grand orks Energy·
Research Labôratory. Wash1ngton, D.C.; U.S. Bureau of Mines,
. 1974. '
Souby, A. M. (University of North Dakota). Correspondence to Gene
Rutledge (Alaska Division of Energy and Power Development).
December 7, 1978.
Stanford Research Institute. Clean Energy from Alaskan Coals.
FE-1516-2 Final Report. Menlo Park, <:a1Hornia, January 1976.
Sugasawa, Kiyoshi (Di rector of Research & Oevel opme nt, Sumi tomo Metal
Industries l td. ). "Oevel opment of Briquette Charge and Formed Coke
Techniques in Japan," Technocrat. vol. 9 -no. 8.
Tetra Tech, Inc. Energy from Coal: a State-of-the-Art Review, Virginia:
Tetra Tech prepared for Energy Research and Oevel opment Admini-
stration (ERDA 76-67), 1976.
U .s. Energy Research and Oevel opme nt Administration. "Chemica 1 s from
Co al," Co al li guefaction. Quarterly Report. October-December
1976, pp:JT-38.
USS Engi nee rs and Con su 1 tan ts, I ne.· "Cl ean Coke Process, •• Coa 1
Liquefaction. ERDA Quarterly Report, E. (49-18) -1517.
Qctober-December 1976, pp. 25-28.
Wentworth Brothers, Inc. "Methyl Fuel, Clean Energy. Cincinnati, Ohio:
1976.
Wilson, Starkey A. letter to Gene Rutledge, June 22, 1978.
rm .. let ter to Darlene la ne and Gene Ru tl edge, August 16,
Y ancey, And geer. "Ex pans ion of Coal Du ring Co king," Coal Preparation.
1968.
5-71
APPENDIX 5-A
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COAL NECESSARY FOR COKING
"Coal is not a unifonn substance but rather is a mixture of combustible
metamorphosed plant remains that vary in both physical and chemical
canposition. The divers1ty of the original plant materials and the degree
of metamorphism, or coalification, that has affected these materials are
the two major reasons for the variety of physical canponents in coal ."
(Harris ion, 1968)
"If a coal 1s to ·be satisfactory for use in the production of metal-.
lurgical coke, it must first have sufficient coking ability to yi.eld a
coherent coke alone or in blends with other coals. Secondly, the coals or
blends must be able to be carbonized without damaging the ovens or causing
difficult operating problems. Lastly, the coal must be low in ash and
sulfur.•• (léonard, 1968)
The various ranks of coal (anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous, and
1 ignite) can be classifiee! by petrographical methods into five typès all
based on the composition of the coal as a rock: 1) Bright, 2) Semisplint,
'3) Splint, 4) Cannel and 5) Bogh~ad. Classification of coal as one of the
five types i s detenni ned by the coal' s concentration of the following four
lithotypes, or ingredients: Vitrain, Clarain, Fusain, and Durain.
The first of the five types is known as "bright coal" due to the heavy
concentrations of vitrain and clarain which are highly reflective
crystalline structures and therefore produce a "shiny, bright" coaL
Semisplint, the second type, is composed predominantly of clarain with
sorne vi train and dura in. This coal is usually classed as a bright coal
when considered for coking due to its relatively high concentration of
clarain which gives it a moderately reflective surface.
5-72
;._;
l:
v
·~
The last three types, Spl int, Cannel, and Boghead, or the 11 du11 coal s, 11
are predominantly durain, a non-réflective substance, with varying amdunts
of vitrain, clarain, and fusain, an inert substance. These three types of
coals are generally not considered acceptable coking feedstocks. However,
they are used at times for blending.
The ordering of the types above is generally arranged in order of 'de-
creasi ng co king power or ab il i ty, yet in sorne ranges of rank, a mixture of
bright and splint types produces a stronger coke than either alone
{Leonard, 1968). The reason for this is that vitrain and clarain, while
they soften and fuse readily, becane too fluid in the plastic stage and
form a brittle, glassy mass due to that very ability. The coke produced
by coals high in vitrain and clarain lacks the tensile strength required
of good coke. On the other hand, durain and fusain resist softening and
fusing, thereby producing a weak, friable coke that is also unsatis-
factory.
' To improve the strength and qual i ty of coke produced fran either of these
two types of coal, "bright11 and 11 dull ,11 a blend of the two is created.
The vitrain and clarain by being melted and fused fonn the binding agents
of the coke. Since durain and fusain, or other inert materials, do not
melt easily, they tend to remain as individual particles which, when
interspersed with the fluid vitrain and clarain, impart a greater tensile
strength to the coke produced · by fonning a "concrete 11 rather than a
brittle 11 cement. n
Thus, the addition of fusain, durain, or other inert matter tends to be
beneficial, resulting in a desired hard, blocky coke. However, an
excessive percentage of inert matter can resul t in poor qual ity coke as
the charge tends towards the characteristfcs of a 11 du11 coa1.11 Therefore,
an optimum ratio of bi ndi ng agents to inert ma teri al s based on the
feedstocks available must be set.
5-73
The primary factor affecting the abil ity of a coal, or blend of coal s, to
be carbonized without damaging the coking ovens or causing diffitul.~
operating problems are the extent of the ex pans ion of the coke upon
heating and the chemical canposition of the coal used in the charge.
11 Coals used for cokemaking contract while being heated under load to the
beginning of the plastic range. After the plastic range is passed, the
coke fonned therein begins to contract on heating to higher temperatures;
contraction continues as heating progresses to temperatures reached in
high-temperature coki ng practice." (Y ancy, 1968) Expansion begi ns wh en
the coat reaches a plastic state as the fusing particles fill the voids in
the charge. As the charge begins expand1ng, the pressure exerted on the
oven wall s due to that expansion may be so great as to damage or even ru in
the walls.
"The ma in factors affecti ng pres su res exerted by coking charges in coke
ovens and gas retorts are the character of the coat, the bulk density, and
the operating conditions. Expanding coals are mostly in the
medium-volatile and law-volatile ranges of rank; nearly all high-volatile
A coals and all those of lower ranks are classed as contracting. Rank
appears to be the main characteristic of coal affecting expansion,. but
type is also important; the amount of ash the coa1 contains is a factor,
but one of lesser importance. Coals and blends of coals in the medium and
law-volatile ranges of rank are the most highly expanding (or exert the
greatest pressures); the higher the bulk density, the greater the ..
expansion obtained. Addition of splint coal reduces the tendency to
expand. Ash acts in the same way." (Yancy, 1968}
..
5-74
l. ,,;li
~
-..._./
anthracite coal -
ash -
binder -
bituminous coal -
ca king -
carboniza ti on -
char-
coke -
delayed coking -
APPENOIX 5-B
GLOSSARY
hard coal èontaining 86 to 98 percent fixed carbon
and small percentage of volatile material and ash.
sol id residue remaining after the combustion of
co al.
carbon products, tars, etc., used to impart cohesion
to the body to be fonned; a coal-extract binder may
be used to prepare formed-coke pellets from
non-coking coals.
a broad class of coal s containing 46-86 percent
fixed carbon and 20-40 percent volatile matter.
the softening and agglomeration of coal as a resu1t
of the application of heat.
destructive heating of carbonaceous substances wi th
the production of a sol id, porous residue, or coke,
and the evolution of a volatile product. For coal,
there are two principal classes of carbonization;
high-temperature coki ng (c. 900°C) and law-temper-
ature carbonization (c. 700°C).
the solid residue remaining after the removal of
moisture and volatile matter from coal.
strong porous residue consisting of carbon and
mineral ash formed when bi tuminous coal is heated in
a limited air supply or in the absence of air. Coke ·
may a 1 so be fo rmed by the nna 1 dec ompos 1 ti on of
petroleum residues.
a process wherein coal is subjected to a long period
of carboniza ti on at modera te temperatures to form
coke.
extractive coking -similar to delayed coking process, with the emphasis
on high tar yields to produce liquids.
free swelling index-a standard test that indicates the coking charac-
teristics of coal when burned as a fuel.
hydrocoki ng -
i nerts ..
coking of tars, SRC, etc., under hydrogenating
condit~on to fonn liquid products.
constituents of a coa1 which decrease its efficiency
in use, e.g. mineral matter ( ash) and moi sture in
fuel ,for canbustion.
5-75
lignite -brownish-black coal containing 65-72 percent carbon
on a mineral-matter-free basis, w1th a rank between
peat and subbi tuminous coal; conta ins 8-22 percent
volatile matter and 91-93 percent carbon.
sol vent refined coal (SRC) - a coa1 extract derived by solvent extrac-
tion; a brittle, vitreous solid (m.p. 300°F to
400°F) containing about 0.1 percent ash and about 10
percent of the sul fur in the origi,nal . coal
feedstock; heat value is about 16,000 BTU pe.r .pound;
may be used as a clean fuel for power generation by
c001bustion; ut il ized for the production of high
grade metallurgical coke, anode carbon, and
activated carbon by coking, or hydrogen,ated to
produce synthetic crude oil.
subbituminous :coal -the rank of coal between bituminous and lignite,
classified by ASTM as having a range of heating
values between 8,300 and 11,000 BTU per poun~d on a
moisture and mineral-matter-free basis. · ·
volatile matter-those constituents of coal, exclusive of moisture,
that are 1 iberated fran a sample _ when heated to
1,750°F for seven minutes in the absence of oxygen.
~ ,, " ' ·,
5-76
~
<..)
t.TI
1
-...!
-...!
Analyses
(·
APPENDIX 5-C
BELUGA COAL ANALYSES
(
Twenty-four cores from the six most extensive coal beds have been analyzed in great
detail. Twenty of these cores were studied for various properties by the Paul Weir Company~
Chicago. The qualities for the various coal intervals were as follows:
Brown
Yellow
Green
AS RECEIVED AVERAGE PROXIMATE ANALYSES FIGURES FOR SIX MAJOR COAL INTERVALS
BASS, HUNT AND WILSON LEASES,~AL-ASKA
7845 btu
10.13% ash
0.33% sul fur
24% moist
6782 btu
18.19% ash
O. 23% sul fur
30% moist
7862 btu
11.25% ash
O. 23% sul fur
29% moist
Blue
Orange
Red
8216 btu
7.34% ash
0. 16% su 1 fur
29% moist
8054 btu
7.99% ash
O. 17% sul fur
28% moist
7828 btu
7.57% ash
0.17% sulfur
28% moist
Source: Starkey A. Wilson,_ Correspondence to Gene Rutledge, June 22, 1978.
NOUVHIOdSN'v'~l
9 ~31d'v'HJ
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 6
TRANSPORTATION
In Alaska, transportation of coal to market is costly and difficult to
arrange. The transportation network for the efficient and easy del ivery of
coal exists only at the Usibelli Coal Mining Company near Healy. Where
there is no transportation network already intact, the movement of coal
becomes a major financial handicap. Consequently, transportation options
must be given primary consider~tion.
As a general guide li ne, transportation by shi p or barge i s usually the
lowest in mills per ton-mile if the mine and plant are near the coast. On
short haul s, rail is often cheaper than a sl urry pipeline. The large
investment at both ends of a slurry pipeline system may not justify the
short, low vol ume movement of coal. Generally, for long haul s of lar9,e
vo 1 ume, co al s 1 u rry pipe 1 ines may be preferab 1 e to. ra il bec a use the 1 i ne
has low inflationary vulnerability. It may be that several utilities or.
plants should be planned in unison so that 10 million or more tons of coal
per year can be del ive red over a single 1 i ne. Over the long run, the.
slurry line may be the most economical. Table 6-1 gives a comparison of
transportation modes by rail, slurry pipeline and transmission line
.between points in the western states, and a marine transportation
comparison with Beluga.
Another important aspect of each possible mode of transportation is the
percentage of initial capital cost which is subject to inflationary esca.,.
lation once the initial system is installed and operating. Sorne modes
have more areas vulnerable to inflation than others. Whereas transmission
lines are relatively free of inflationary vulnerability, unit trains are
al most completely subject to i t. Table 6-2 gives the percentage of
escalation of several transportation options, and Table 6-3 gives a 20
year projection of the costs of each option.
:7\
1
"
TABLE 6-1
Canparative Transportation Modes (10/l/76 Dollars)
Haul Distance Canponent Cost/yr
Rail
Kemmerer, Wyoming .
to Arlington, Oregon
Slurry Pipeline
Kemmerer, Wyoming
to Arl ington, Oregon
Transmission Line
Kemmerer, Wyoming
to Ar1ington, Oregon
Ship Haul
Beluga, Alaska
to Aberdeen, Washington
ASSUMPT IONS:
770 mf.
635 mi.
635 mi.
1,500 mi.
Rail ·Tariff
Car Ownership & Maint.
Capital Cost
O&M Cost
Capital Cost
O&M Cost
Une Lasses
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
1) Capital charge rate 8.5%
$16,432,000
1,421,000
$17,853,000
$16,744,000
7,176,000
$23,920,000
$18,211,000
453,000
9,505,000
$28,169,000
$17 t 194,000
2) Annual coal volume 2,808,000 ton/yr. ·
3) 1000 MW @ 65% capacity factor = 5.694 x 10 9 kWh/yr.
4) Total cost of Capital, O&M, & Fuel = 20 mill/kWh
(for line loss cost calculation)
5) Transmission cost fran Transmission System section.
Energy Cost
3.14 mill s/kWh
4.20 mill s/kWh
4.95 mills/kWh
3.02 mill s/kWh
Source: Canparative Study of Coal and Nuclear Generating Options for the Pacifie Northwest, Volume II:
W. H. Carl son, "Fuel Transportation," Analysis of the Coal Option. Fuel and Technical Studies
Oepartment. Washington Public Power Supply System. Richland, Washington~ WPPSS:FTS-028 -II. 1977 ~ ....
(
..
·~>'""
(
Transportation Option
Ra il
Slurry Pipeline
Ship
Transmission Line
TABLE 6-2
ESCALATION OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Fixed Portion
20%
70%
50%
90%
Escalatable Portion
80%
30%
50%
10%
Appl ica ti on of the esc al at ion fractions to each option on· Table 6-1 over a
20-year period at 5% esc al at ion per year yi el ds the results in Table 6-3.
Source: Canparative Study of Coal and Nuclear Generating Options for the
Pacifie Northwest, Volume II: W. H. Carlson, 11 Fue1 Transportation,"
Xnalysis of the Coal Option. Fuel and Technical Studies
Depa~'bnent. Washington Public Power Supply System. Richland,
Washington. WPPSS FTS -028 - I 1. 1977.
6-3
Transportation
oetion
Ra il
Slurry Pipeline
Ship
Transmission Line
ASSUMPT IONS : 1 )
2)
3)
4)
TABLE 6-3
20-YEAR LEVELIZED TRANSPORTATION COST
l~t Year Cast (1976) 20-Year Leve1ized Cast {1976-95}
As
Mills/KWh ·% of RaiL Cast Mi11s/kWh
3.14 lOO 4.54
4.20 134 4.90
3.02 96 3.86
4.95 158 5.23
lst year costs from Table '1
Escalation fractions from Table 2
Escalation at 5% per year
Discount rate of 7% peryear
As
% of Rail Cast
lOO
108'
85
115
Though the 20-year level ized cast does not change the ranking of the trans-
portation options, it does draw the options considerably closer together
due to the low escalation of the capital intensive slurry pipeline and
transmission line options.
Source: Com arative Stud of Coal and Nuclear Generatin 0 tians for the
Pacifie Northwest, Vo ume II: W. H. Carlson, 11 Fuel Transportation, ..
Analysis of the Coal Option. Fuel and Technica1 Studies Departrnent.
Washington Pubi ic Power Supply System. Rich land, Washington.
WPPSS FTS -028-II. 1977.
6-4
·~
·The following discussion of coal transportation options in Alaska will be
directed toward the proposed development of the Beluga Coal Field, thê
most likel y field to be devel oped in the near future. Each transportation
pption and associ ated costs are di scussed separately wi th speci fic·
references to the Beluga situation cited from available resources.
There are basically two segments involved in a Beluga transportat·ioh
system. The fi rst ·segment invol ves transporting the coal from the mine
site area to a connecting point with a major, longer distance trans-
portation mode. In most cases, this major mode is marine transportation
which, of course, .requ,fres harbor and docking facilities. The first seg-
ment could utilize one of the following methods: 1) a trucking operation
fran ·the mine site to a harbor located near Beluga; 2) a rail line fran
' the mine site to a harbor near Beluga, or a rail line fran Beluga
connecting with the existing Alaska Railroad line to a harbor at Whittier;
and 3) a slurry pipeline fran the mine site to a harbor near Beluga.
·"'-' The second segment involves movement of coal both within and outside the
State~ In-State transportation possibil ities could include marine, rail·,
and transmission line options. At the present time, the only feasible
choic:e for exporting coal is marine transportation.
"-'
TRUCKING
Trucking is likely to play an important role in initially moving coal .t~.
either ·a power plant in the area or a transportation 1 ink such as a
~ ' '
shipping or railway tenninal. Beluga Coal Canpany has indicated that
truc king would most li kely be ut il ized to supply coal to a 200 MW plant.
Tractor-trailer units of 120 to 150 ton capacity may be used to haul the·
coal to the power plant. Supplying coal to a 400 MW plant located on the
coast would justify construction of a rail line (Patsch, 1978). In a rail
1 ine operation, a larger stockpile would be built and would involve a
tunnel-conveyor reclaim systëttt to deliver crushed coal to high capacity
railway 1oadout si.los (Placer Amex, Inc., 1977).
6-5
Although · between the Capps Glacier and waterfront there are nume'rous
loggi·ng. roads built by Kodiak Lumber Mill Company. There are no acce.ss·
roàds from the possible mining sites in the area to the waterfront at ·the
present time. (See section on Transportation in Land Tenure chapter.)
Kodiak Lumber Mill Company' s timber harvest sale agreement wi th the State
expires in 1983, and it is speculated that harvesting may be terminated at
. that time. The timber r:-oads coul d be of sorne use in coal mining trans.:.
portation system.
Trucki ng has been used by the Usibell i Coal Mining Company to move coal
several miles fran its mining, operation sites to both the Golden Valley
Electric Association power plant and to the railway spur loading station
a't Suntrana, 8~ miles away. Coal del ivered by truck to the GVEA costs
70UMMBTU (Battelle, 1978).
' Joe Usibelli, president of Usibelli Coal Mining Company, estimates that
each truck covers 150 miles per day and transports an average of el even·
coal loads, each about 45 tons in weight. Each truck i s operated on a 10 ·
·hour shift. The total operating cost per truck, including the $24 wage of
the driver, is about $60 per hour. These figùres are direct costs. If
taxes, i nsurance, ownership of trucks and other costs are incl uded, the
wage of the driver approaches $30.00 per hour, and the operating cost of
the truck is about $90.00 per hour. (Usibelli, 1978). The following
tabulation illustrates
11 loads. x 45 tons ea.
495 tons x 8.5 miles
the cost per ton-mile:
4207.5 ton miles ~ $600
RAIL
= 495 tons per day per truck ..
= 4207.5 ton miles per one day•s
operation ($60 per hour x 10
hour shift, or $600)
= 7.0125 ton miles per dollar
Or 14.26~ per ton mile '
The advantage of ut il izing the Alaska Rail road for coal transportation
both in-State and to a water port of export (Whittier) is that. sorne of the·
necessary infrastructure needed is already available. A rail line also
provides a means of transportation for multiple uses, as well as
control1ed access, if desi red.
6-6
\J
~
c RAIL LINE TO TIDEWATER
\;,·
The distance fran the contemplated first mining site at Capps Glacier to
waterfront is approximately 16 miles. Fran an elevation of about -~000
feet, the terrain slopes to the coast. A 400 MW power plant at tidewater
would justtfy construction of a rail route, and in an export situation
involving five or more million tons per year, a rail line would defin~tely
be required· (Pats.ch, 1978).
BELUGA 'EXTENSION
In an Alaska Rail road report on Beluga Coal (November 7, 1977), a prospec•
tive s·cenario has been outl ined for development of a rail link from Belu.ga ..
to ;~· connecting point wi th the establi shed rail road. A tentative rou ting
· has been selected (Figure 6-1), which may vary after grou nd . surveys have
been cOftlplèted. The terrain is level, and the distance anticipated is
app~~ximate1y 75 to 80 miles. Connection could occur near Pittlllan StaÙon
\,._.r .. at 111Uepos"t: 166. A ~rossing of the Sustina River is necessary and ~ill
largè·l>' :·de-tenMneJthè final routing.
<',
L
The ·.,tost of con~truction of a rail line link could not reasonabiy. be
·. assumèd by private companies. The Alaska Railroad has suggested that
· finan·ting.·~ obtained through a venture with the State of Alaska.
• •.' ~·· .1 '
The cost. Of rail 1 ine trackage has been estimated to be as high: as
$1,250,000 per mile in. Alaska. Consequently, the project woul d approach
at l'ea~t $94 million excluding the cast of a Susitna crossing. ·
. . .
,;_· ( .· .
:UNIT tRAltiS .
1",.
'A unit train is a solid train of dedicated cars which remain intact as a,
unit ·and ·operate on a schedule .between one shipper and one receiver· in ac-
cordarice·wfth a special tariff which includes a guaranteed, an.nual minimum
tonn~ge.
f 6-7
1.
---.-Y ~1 i fi,:.:_
152°
FIGURE 6-1
PROSPECTIVE BELUGA RAIL
LINK
Ex i s ting - - - - - - -
Proposed
Source: Alaska Railroad, 1977
15!• 149°
Unit trains have been developed recently and provide for a considerab1e
i ncrease in the efficiency of ra il opera ti ons. A unit train car ca~, log
150,000 mil es of operation per year whereas a car being used for many uses
. average only 17,000 miles per year.
The tariffs invol ved in ra 11 transportation are agreed upon between the
railroad and the company involved. The tariff is a rate in dollars per
ton and contains pro_visions for maximum loading and unloading times,
minimum annual tonnages, etc. Under Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)
Regulations, railroads . cannet enter into contracts in excess of one year
in length. As a result, a letter of intent is usuall,y signed which con-
tains provisions,. for future annual escalation of the tariff (Carlson~
1977).
To obtain minimum rail rates, a unit train shoul d have 90-110 cars. The
cost of an aluminum car is approxima tel y $30,000. Spa re cars are al so ~
necessity on high milage unit train hauls. Nonnally 10% spare cars are
,. ' '
purchased and kept for use when needed. Although it is possible to secure
railroad ownership, railroads prefer that the canpany using the 'cars
purchase them.
The Alaska Railroad (ARR) has employed the unit train concept in the past.
Fai rly 1 arge tonnages were del ive red to mil itary bases pri or to 1969 wh~n
the systems of the bases were converted to natural gas. More recentJy~
the ARR has haul ed gravel on a unit train basi s from Palmer to Anchorage.
in standard hopper cars with 80 cars comprising the unit train length.
According to the ARR a 100 car length is feasible.
From a possible Beluga spur connecting to Pi ttman station, the ARR extends
an additiohal 80 miles to Whittier where there is an open port year round.
Port facilities would need to be expanded at Whittier to accanodate a 30
to 60 day stockpile of coal. The Federal government presently owns 800
j 1
plus acres of land 'in Whittier; this would be suitable for a large volume
storage aréa and additional terminal development. A finger pi er and.
conveyors wou1 d be requi re(i for loading. On large conveyors, 1000 tons
6-9
per hour coul d be loaded, and wi th several opera ting at the same time,
loading speed would be increased. Table 6-4 gives the ARR 1 s unit train
proposed requi rements for transporting five mill ion tons per year from
Beluga to Whittier.
In a 1975 Alaska Railroad memorandum, a unit train operation from Healy to
Whittier was addressed. The Railroad suggested that 100 ton aluminum.
hopper cars with a pneumatic·rapid bottom dump assembly could be utilized.
This method of loading is equally feasible at a Beluga mining operation.
Aluminum cars are lighter but still allow acceptably large loads. Table
6-5 gives rail car types and capacities. To carry 10,000 net tons between
Healy and Whittier during a five consecutive day service, the ARR
estimates that two trains would be required, totalling 286 cars including
a 10 percent reserve. A similar operation would be required from Beluga.
Table 6-6 describes a tentative schedule for coal transportation from the
Beluga mine to Whittier.
COSTS
Current rail costs of transporting coal in Alaska are based on experience
with the Usibelli Mine. Usibelli coal priee at the mine mouth was $0.60
per MMBTU in early 1977. Coal delivered the 111 miles by rail from Healy
to Fairbanks is $1.05 per MMBTU. The difference of $0.45 would include
tipple* and rail costs, plus trucking from the mine site to the rail
connection, a distance of several miles. Tipple costs in early 1978 were
$0.11 per MMBTU. Usibelli coal delivered by rail to Anchorage to suppJy a
200 MW plant'operating at 0.65 plant factor and requiring 650,000 tons per
year would cast approximately $0.98 per MMBTU. This figure assumes a
$0.60 per MMBtU mine mouth cost and $0.38 per MMBTU for transportation.
Transportation of coal delivered to a 400 MW plant would decrease to $0.30
per MMBTU (Battelle, 1978). Table 6-7 gives Alaska Railroad tariffs from
Healy to Anchorage and Whittier.
1
. *A tipple is an apparatus for emptying coal from a mine car by tipping; it
is also the place where the emptying is done.
6-10
<..)
\ i ~
TABLE 6-4
BELUGA TO WHITTIER UNIT TRAIN INFORMATION
Annual Volume
Working Days
Da il y Vol ume
1ons Loaded per car
Number of carloads da ily
Cars per train -(2)
Length of hau 1 (tentative)·
Cycle time
Cars required
Locomotives required
Tonnage per train (net)
Tonnage per train (gross)
5,000,000 tons
350; a11ow 15 days plant repair and
maintenance.
14,286 tons
80
179
1 @ 90; 1 @ 89
184 miles one way; 368 round trip
23-24 hours
200 -179 working; 21 replacements
10 - 5 per train
1 @ 7200; 1 @ 7120
1 @ 9450; 1 @ 9345
Source: Alaska Railroad, Beluga Coal, Nov. 7, 1977.
6-11
0\
1 .....
N
TABLE 6-5
RAIL CAR TYPES AND CAPACITIES FOR COAL SERVICES
Load *No. Cars Gross
Type/Capaci ty L t. Wt. Limit lOM Net Tons Trailing Ton
70 ton -aluminum 37,000 183,000 130 12,405
70 ton -steel 54,000 166,000 130 13,510
77 ton -steel 57,000 177,000 130 13,705
·mo ton -steel 63,000 200,000 130 14,095
100 ton -aluminum 45,000 218,000 130 12,925
*Number of cars per lOM net trailing tons remains constant due to 77 ton maximum
weight limitation per car for unit train operation account bridge limitations.
SOURCE: Alaska Railroad, Beluga Coal, November 7, 1977.
(. (~
Trail ing
Tons -Empty
2,405
3,510
3,705
4,095
2,925
-::j
................... ~ ... ,.~~:...., . ..;;;:..:.~--~...,..,... ~ -.~.;. . .,. ·-·
12:00 Noon
2:30p.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:30p.m.
8:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m.
12:15 a.m.
2:45 a.m.
·4:15a.m.
6:45 a.m.
12:00 Noon
TABLE 6-6
TENJ;A'tlVE. SCH.lij)UltE
Depart mine site for Whittier
Arrive existing ARR main line -2' 30" running time
over Beluga extension
Arrive Anchorage -2' 30" .cunning time
Depart Anchorage -30 11 change crews, inspection
Arrive Whittier -2' 30" running time
Dumping complete -4 hours dumping, if rotary dump used
Depart Whittier -15 11 orders and air test
Arrive Anchorage -2 1 30" running time
Depart Anchorage-l' 30" change crews, inspection,
service locomotives
Arrive Beluga branch line -21 30" running time
Depart mine -2' 30" loading; 30 min. air, ordèrs
this schedule representa the maximum expected time to complete the cycle.
Time could be improved in the unloading process depending ~:m type of cars
used. Running time over the Beluga extension could be shortened depending
cm track configuration. Running times on existing trackage could be im-
p.rove4 with strict sched·uling.
S.ource: Bel':'ga Coal. Alaska Railroad. Nov. 7, 1977.
6-13
TABLE 6-7
Alaska Railroad Tari,ffs -Healy Origin (a}
ANCHORAGE WHITTER
Unit Train Unit Train
Shipper Carrier By Shipper Carrier By
Owned Cars Owned Cars Carload Owned Cars Owned Cars Carload
Annual
Tonna~ $/Ton $/MMBTU $/Ton $/MMBTU $/Ton $/MMBTU $/Ton $/MMBTU $/Ton $/MMBTU $/Ton $/MMBTU
200,000 to ----9.82 0.564 --------10.49 0.604
,~5-no~·noo
1,000,000 5.65 0.325 7.05 0.406 ----6.67 0.384 8.16 0.470
1,500,000 5.63 0.323 6.63 0.381 ----6.66 0.383 7. 71 0.444
2,000,000 5.50 0.317 6.40 0.367 7.98 0.459 6.50 0.374 7.45 0.429 8.50 0.489
(a) Conversion to $/MMBTU based on 8700 BTU/# coal quality.
SOURCE: Mr. Arnold Polanchek, Alaska Railroad. November 16, 1979.
(
\._ SLURRY PI PELJNE
A slurry pipeline is a pipeline used to ~ransport finely ground coal mixed
with water, oil, or methanol at about 50/50 by weight. The coal is
ground, slurried with its transporting liquid and pumped to its initial
pressure (usually 1000-1200 psi) at the mine site. If the pipeline is a
long one, thère are pumping stations every 70-100 miles which restore. the
1 ine pressure to its initial psi. If the pipeline slurry is del ive red to
a power plant, the coal is separated from the mixture by centrifuge and
burned in the boiler (Figure6-2).
Slurry pipelines are capital intensive and are well suited to movem~nt of
large volumes of co al, especi ally over long di stances. Slurry pi pel ines
have been used only a few times in the United States. One no longer
operating was built by Consolidation· Coal Company in Cleveland, Oh-io;
another runs. 273 mil es from the Black Mesa Mine in Arizona to the Mohavè
Power Plant in Nevada. This line is still in service.
Coal slurry pipelines offer the following advantages:
1. Low operating côsts. Low cost escalation follows as a result of
law operation costs.
2. Oust control. · Coal dust particulates could pose an air poll-
ution problem.
3. No danger of spontaneous. combustion.
4. High reliability. (Long distance slurry pipelines show avail-
abil i ty factors in ex cess of 95%.}
5. Ease of hand1ing of bulk materials.
Di sadvantages associated wi th coal sl urry pipelines:
1. Large consumption of water, or other mixing agent.
2. Transportation of the mixing agent. For each ton of coal trans-
ported by water, close to a ton of water is also transported,
which reduces the efficiency of the process.
3. Oewatering costs. If the coal is to be burned in a
steam-electric plant, the coal must either be dewatered or
burned as a slurry wi th 1 oss of BTU value. 8oth represent an
addi tional cost qver dry coal tran~port. ·
6-15
4. Possible attrition of the solid product (coal particles) during
transport. This can be a disadvantage if attrition is undeJir~
able. If a finer product is desired, it can be an advantage.
5. Corrosion. With high sulfur content, this can be a sÙfficiently
great problem to preclude use of a slurry pipeline. In Beluga,
however, the sulfur content is very law and this problem is l'lot
a serious one.
6. Inflexibility of the system once installed. The capacity of an
install ed sl urry pipeline cannat be va ri ed s ignificantly wi thout
complete reconstruction.
7. Possibility of freezing in cold climate.
8. Pipeline wear.
Charactéristics of slurry pipeline technology are discussed in sorne detail
in a recent Bureau of Mines Report (Hennagin, 1978). The report includes
discussion of sol ids concentration, the optimum particle size range, pipe-
line velocity, head loss, and horsepower calculations. Actual pipeline
operation features, and me.thods of loading from the storage area to a ship
are described in the report, as are factors involved in the construction
process, such as allowances for expansion and contraction of the l~,ne,
pumping stations, and technical factors related to methods to prevent
freezing.
The Bureau of Mines report investigate the possibility of a water slurry
pipeline 15 miles long fran the Beluga mine, 1500 feet in elevation, to
dock facilities at tidewater, and transportation of the coal in a water
slurry by ship to the West Coast. Cast estimates are developed for a11
ph~ses of the operation •
.The slurry pipeline would involve construction of a harbor and pier faèil-
ities for Beluga. Several ·locations are possible, and North Foreland was"
chosen for the site in the Bureau of Mines Report. Beluga Coal Company is
considering harbor sites at three possible locations: McArthur Flats,
Granite Point and North Forelands. (See Section on Harbor and Loading
facilities under Marine Transportation.) A 30 inch diameter line system
6-16
~. "~ :w
:~
·~
was considered the best and most economical size. Pipeline data are shawn
in Table 6-8. (For more specifies on hydrotransportation of coal • ,seEJ
Appendices 6-A and 6-B.)
Sl urry Pipeline Costs
. Costs associated with a slurry pipeline include those for construction of
the line, the pump house, and operating costs. These · costs are shawn in
Table 6-9. To adjust for higher Alaskan costs, a factor of 1.74 was used
in calculating operating costs based on Northern Great Plains province
strip mine experience. Capital costs of the pipe1 ine system are shawn in
Table 6-10. A factor of 1.68 over costs in the Lower 48 was used in calco~
latin.g Alaskan construction costs.
The estimated total cast of del ivered coal by slurry pipeline to the
Beluga tidewater port, and thence by ship to the west coast is $21.15 per
short ton of coal, or $1.32 per million BTU's. Table 6-11 presents a cast
summary of the various sized pipeline systems analyzed, and Figure 6-2
shows a cast breakdown for the optimum 30 inch system.
The report does not identify costs in detail, making it difficult to
determine whether the facilities would meet today's environmt!ntal
standards. The general tone of the paper does not place an emphasis or;~
environmental considerations. However, parts of· the report do reflec'l;
efforts to mininize environmental impact. Water removed fran the slurry,
for éxample, would be recycled or treated for use within the plant
( Hennagin, 1.978).
MARINE.TRANSPORTAtlON
Marine transportation is general ly thought to be· the cheapest method of
moving coal. There are no maintenance costs or capital costs in rights of:
way; there is increased fuel economy and small operating crew size. Major
reductions tn shipping costs have been achieved by increasing the size of
vessels. ENen extremely large vessel s are operated by rel atively small
crews.
6-17
TABLE 6-8
SLURRY PIPELINE DATA
Nominal Diameter, inches
Ins ide di ame ter, i nches
Solids concentration, by weight
Specifie gravity of slurry
Pumping velocity, feet per second
Slurry capacity, cubic feet per second
Slurry capacity, gallons per minute
Slurry capacity, short tons per hour
Coal capacity, short tons per hour
Head loss, feet water per 100 feet pipe
Head loss for 16 miles of pipe, feet water ,
Altitude loss, feet
Net loss for pipeline, feet water
Slu rry horsepower requi red
Pump e ffi ci ency
Brake horsepower requi red
Effjciency of motor
Install ed brake horsepower (3 pumps opera ting,
Energy required per year, kilowatt-hours
1 standby)
24
23.25
55%
1.186
7
20.64
9263
2749
1512
1.60
1352
(1150)
202
560
90%
622
90%
830
30
29
,55%
1.1B6
8
36.69
16466
4888
2688
1.59
1343
( 1150)
193
950
90%.
1055
90%
1400
for 4,380,000 tons co al per year 1,493,600 1,424,900
for 8,760,000 tons coal per year 2,987,200 2,849,800
Source: Donald Anderson, U.S. Bureau of Mines. Feasibility
Study of Mining Alaska Coal and Transportation.by Slurry to the
West Coàs.t. Open File Report 17(1}-78. Jan. 5, 1978.
6-18
·~
~
TABLE 6-9
SLURRY PIPELINE COSTS
Coal tonnage per year,
8.76 mil li ems of tons 4.38 4.38
Slurry pipeline dhmeter
lnches . · 30 24 24
. Capital cost of pipeline
7,442,700 and pumpi ng station 9,333,400
Annual operating cost 208,200 252,200
7,442,700
238,100
TABLE 6-10
SLURRY PIPELINE CAPITAL COST FACTORS (1976 DOLLARS)
L ine Cost (Install ed, incl. IDC, 0/H, etc.)
14 inch line -$150,000/mile
20 inch line -$250,000/mile
26 inch 1 i ne -$330,000/mile
Pumping Station Cost
14 inch line -$1,500,000 each
20 inch line -$3,000,000 each
26 inch line -$4,500,000 each
Coal Preparation Plant (At Mine)
3,000,000 tons/yr -$30,000,000
6,00'0,000 tons/yr -$45,000,000
10,000,000 tons/yr -$60,000,000
Coal Dewatering and Storage Facility (At Plant)
3,000,000 tons/yr - $ 60,000,000
6,000,oo0 tons/yr - $ 90,000,000
10,000,000 tons/yr -$120,000,000
6-19
8.76
30
~,333,400
280,700
. TABLE 6-11
COST SUMMARY
COSTS IN DOLLARS PER SHORT TON OF CLEAN COAL
AND FINAL COST PER MILLION BTU 1 S
' System I II III IV
Coal tonnage per year,
mill jons of short tons 4.38 4.38 8.76 8.76
Slurry pipeline
diameter, inches 24 30 24 30
Ship stze, DWT
thousands of tons 70 lOO 70 79
Number of. ships 3 2 6 5
Costs:
Mini~g 7.80 7.80 6.40 6.40
Washing 1.95 1. 95 l. 70 1.70
S1urry preparation 1.95 1.95 1.70 1.70
Water 0.10 o. 10 0.07 0.07
Sl urry pipeline 0.46 0.57 0.23 0.29
Loading pier 1.94 2.04 0.97 0.98
Shipping 10.37 8.37 10.37 9.40
Off-loading pier 0.94 1.00 0.47 0.48
Dewatering 1.27 1.27 1.10 1.10
Total 26.78 25.05 23.04 22.12
Per mill ion BTU • s 1.67 1.57 1.44 1.38
Source: Donald Anderson, U.S. Bureau of Mines.
Minin Alaska Coal and Trans ortation b S1urr to the West
Coast. Open File Report 17 l -78. Jan. 5, 1978.
6-20
~·
v
8.76
30
lOO
4
6.40 .,
1.70 ·~
1.70
0.07
0.29
1.02
8.37
.0.50
1
i
1.10
21.15
1.32
·~
WATER
MINlr'vG
30°/o
O. 3 °/o '-t ::;:Y~
SLURRYr.
PIPELINE
1.4 °/o
SHIPPING
40°/o
Figure 6-2
COST BREAKDOWN FOR SYSTEM V
_OFF L04DING PJtR2~3%
Source: U.S. pept. of Interior. Bureau of ~Hnes. Open File Report
17(1):78. Jan. 5, 1978.
6-21
Beluga coals are unusual in that they are one of the few large reserves of
low-sulfur strippable coal in the United States located close to Hdê-
water. -The marine transportation possibility makes the Beluga coal
potentially competitive with other coals for use on the West Coast.
At the September, 1977 "Al as ka Coal and the Paci fic" workshop, in the
paper "Beluga Field Potential: Transportation," Kirshenbaum suggested
consideration of straight and self-unloading bul k carriers, and straight
and· sel f-unloading tug-barges. The paper gave an excellent overview of
transportation options for the Beluga Coal District.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Marine candi ti ons are poor and unpredictable in Alaskan waters. Cook
Inlet at its northern end has an average tidal range of 28 feet, which is
more than twice the average range in the Pacifie Northwest. Tidal
currents in sorne parts of the Inlet can reach 8 knots. Such conditions
involve increased costs in designing wharves and ship berthing facilities.
Ice conditions, however, are not impossible to deal with in Cook Inlet.
Stonn conditions in the Gulf of Alaska are frequent; wind velocities are·
often in the 50 to 60 knot range. Del ays of 1 to 3 days are not uncOOJmori
for barge operations, though Sealand ships are powered for the area and
usually are able to adhere to a schedule.
BARGING
Barging operations are feasible in Cook Inlet waters on a year-ro;und
basis. Bulk urea is presently produced at the Union Collier Plant at
Nikiski near Kenai, and is transported by barge to Portland, Ore~on.
Special loading and unloading features are designed into the barges cur-
rently in use. Barge loading facilities allow 12,000 tons to be loaded in
12 hours. The same tonage can be unloaded in 24 hours.
v
A barging operation tran~porting coal both intra-State and for export to /,,
the Western United States coastal states is probably the most feasible ;\.,.,.;
and, initially, least expensive system for Beluga coal.
6-22
/
".·
'/
j l /
1
t
LW z ....... _J z 0 ....... (V) (./) 1 (./) 1..0 ....... :E: Q)(./) S-Z g,~ .,.... I-Ll.. IV .:::L. V) ro .->, <Cro ::L ..c +l • ::::1 ...-.. 00.. Vli"O .. :E c'-,, {.. w "0 r-r-C ru ...... .,.... 4-.:::L. ..co uo •r-U 0::: .. U+l .,.... u +l•r-c s.. • ro+''-.0
r-V) ..,..__
+l .,... Q')
<(Cl l"-
Barges presentl y in use can carry up to 12,000 tons per load in bul k
transport. In an export situation which might inval ve up to 6 mi11ioh
tons per year, 21 trips in present sized barges would be required. A
smaller barge can carry 2500 short tons of bul k cargo on deck. Coverage
of the coal cargo would be necessary for protection against weather con-
ditions. The bulk urea barges from Nikiski have houses built over the top
of the barge into which the urea pellets are poured from a conveyor belt.
A barging operation involving large quantities of coal would require a
floating dock facility. The. loaded barge would draw approximately 18
feet, and a specially designed barge could draw even more. The fluctu-
ation in tidal range near Beluga is about 27 feet.
Another possible, but less likely, application of barge· shipping from
Beluga is the utilization of
the roll on/roll off system.
50 tons of coal. To deliver
rail cars as containers. This is known as
For barging purposes, a rail car can carry
250,000 tons per year, 5000 car loads, 3.33
trips per year, or one trip per day would be required. In an export situ-
ation, very large rail car barges, which can presently accomodate between
50 and 60 cars, could be used.
The chief advantage of the roll on/roll off system is that it is faster.
It can greatly reduce the turn around time of barging operations .. In
three or four hours, a barge can be loaded or ~nloaded as compared with .12
to 24 hours in a bulk transport operation. Use of the largest .rail ca~
barges to export 6 million tons of coal per year would require 120,000 car.
loads, 2400 trips per year or approximately 7 trips per day. Also to be.
considered is the expense of buyinR additional cars to substituted ·for
those on the barge as well as the cast of returning the empty cars oncet
they have been unloaded.
COSTS
Long tenn contracts are required between carrier and purchaser of the
product; . 15 year con tracts are common, and rates are negoti ab le. A1
6-24 i
~
·~
~·
barging finn on the east coast estimated that $6.00 per short ton for
barging coal from Beluga to Washington State was a reasonable charge in
. ' 1
· November of 1977. No loading and unloading costs were estimated in' the
$6.00 figure (Anderson, 1978).
SHIPS
·Shi ps are fas ter and have higher fuel economy; they al so requi re mor~
initial capital investment, a deeper port, and more expensive loading and
unloading facilities. Additionally, the Jones Act would tend to increase
[
the capital and opera ting expendi tu res of ship transportation. The Jones
Act requires that hauling from one U.S. port to another must occur in U.S.
made ships and that registry must be under the U.S. flag.
COAL TRANSPORTATION IN A SLURRV
Ships designed specifically for the transport of coal slurry in a water
mixture are not presently in use. Ships are currently being used to
transport iron ore slurry, so background infonnation .is available whiçh
would be applicable to coal. Anderson (1978) proposes that an optimutfi
size ship would be 100,000 DWT (dead weight tons) which would carry 66,000
dry short tons of coal in a slurry which is 60% coal by weight (Battelle,'
1978). Tables 6-12 and 6-13 provide infonnation and costs on ships built.
for slurry transportation.
Placer Amex, Inc. is also considering the possibility of transporting coal
in an oil slurry. The optimum percentage of coal weight to residual oiT
depends upon the vi sc os i ty of the oil used and the si ze of the grou nd
coal. At pr~sent, a 40% co al factor i s being researched. A major probl em
of slurry transport is the settling of the coal particles which tends tô
occur. Research 1 s underway to develop methods to keep the coal . in
suspension. There is also sorne concern as to what might happen to the.
composition of coal in an ail slurry.
Rossible sourc12s of residual oil are from expanded ail refinery capacity
in Alaska, an~ frCill west coast oil refineries. On return voyages from
6-25
Ship size, DWT
Capital cost per ship
Annual operating cost per ship
Number ships used for analysis
TABLE 6-12
SHIP COSTS
70,000
36,500,000
5,298,150
6
79,000
40,800,000
5,464,500
5
100,000
45,000,000
6,192,850
4
Source: Donald Anderson, U.S. Burea~ of Mines. Feasibility. Study of
Mining Alaska Coal and Transtortation by Slurry to the West
Coast/ Open File Report 17 1)-78. Jan. s, 1978.
6-26
·~
/ __ ,
•e ••• :JI ~
TABLE 6-13
· SHIP DATA
Shi p si2;es, DWT 70,000 .. 79,000 100,000
Average speed, knots 16.5 16.5 16.5
.Length, feet 810 820 890
Bearn, feet 116 121 128
Draft, feet 42 43 47
Horsepower 19,000 19,400 23,000
Capacity, short tons 78,400 88,480 112,000
Allowance for bunker fuel
and fresh wa ter, short tons 1 ,800 1 ,850 bODO
Slurry .capacity, short tons 76,600 86,630 110,000
Ory coal capac i ty, 60% co al ,
short tons 45,960 51,980 66,000
Diameter of slurry
pipeline, inches 24 30 30
Round-trip time, days:
sailing 7.07 7.07 7.07
doc king, both piers 0.17 0.17 0.17
wa i t for s1 urry 0.06 0.06 . 0.06
load 1. 27 0.81 . 1 .02
unl oad 1.27 0.81 1 .02
delay allowance 1 1 f
Total 10.84 9.92 J0.34
Round-trips per year per ship 32.29 35.28 .33.85
Numt:>e r shi ps for:
4,380,000 tons coa1 per year 3 -:. ?
8,760,000 tons coa1 per year 6 5 4
Source:
6-27
' ,,
the west coast, the otherwi se empty tanker ships coul d carry residual oil
which would also provide ballast on the return trip. Another possibility
is the mi xi ng of crude Al as kan ail #6 wi th coal in a slurry wi th
separation to occur the point of destination. The crude oil would be
diverted to a refinery for further processing and the sludge remaining
fran the slurry separation process could be used as boiler feed. ·
ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
The Beluga Coal District has two locations for possible power plants. One
is at the mine mouth near the Capps deposit. A plant in this location
would probably use conveyors to move coal to a power plant stockpile and
el iminate the use of a truck and ra il haul age system (Placer Amex, Inc.
1977). Coal is estimated to cast 85t per MMBTU F.O.B. mine (Battelle,
1978). The other location for the plant i s at or near tidewater. Initia}
haul ing of the coal to the power plant wi 11 be in 120 to 150 ton
.tractor-trailer units, or possfbly in large trucks similar to those
utilized at the Usibelli Mining Company operation. A railroad would be
required with an increase to a 400 MW plant. 11 As the electric load grows
a~d coal consumption increases, a railroad operation will replace the
truck haulage system. A. larger stockpile will then be constructed~
incorporati ng a tu nnel-conveyor reel aim system to de li ver crushed coal to
high capacity railway load-out silos." (Battelle, 1978)
Transporting coal energy to local and in-State markets woul d inval ve con-
struction of transmission lines fran either the Capps area, or from tiçle-
water to major towns in the Railbelt Area. Chugach Electric Association
already has a 138 KV transmission corridor and line fran its plant near
Tyonek crossing the Cook Inlet via the Susitna River and Knik Arm (Figure
6-3). The cast to upgrade the existing system ta a 350-500 KV or more
system would be lower than construction of a completely new one.
Transmission costs including line loss have been estimated to be 2.5 mills
per kwh in 1975 dollars from Beluga ta Anchorage, and 3.9 mills in January
1, 1977 dollars (Battelle, 1978).
6-28
~
~, . . .JJ ~
CONCLUSION
The equipment that would be used to transport coal from a site to mar.ket
ist to a. great extent, site-specifie. The costs of fuels and many
. services have become qui te vol at ile in 'recent yearst ma king choices
concerning modes of transportation to be used several years in the future
even more difficult.
~Many options for transportation have been identified in this chaptert as
well as sorne general ,indications of cos t. It seems cl ear that marine
transportation is the only mode feasible for export of coal from the
State. The di stance to potenti al markets elimina tes other alternatives.,
The specifies of the marine transportation to be used will depend largely
on changes in the market structuret coal technologiest and transportation
technologies.
The same factors will influence the choice of transportation for shipment
to tidewater or to Alaskan markets. Here, the whole range of forms of
transportation can be considered. To sorne extent, howevert the
consideration of coal transportation within the State may be secondary.
In the near-tenn, it is unl ikely that Alaska by itself will provide a
large enough market to justify the development of the Beluga Coal field.
6-29
KEY CONTACTS
C.E. McFarland
Vice President
Placer Amex, Inc.
One Cal ifornia Building
Siute 2500
San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 986-0740
Benno J.G. Patsch
Placer Amex, Inc.
One Cal ifornia Building
Suite 2500
San Francisco, Cal ifornia 94111
{415} 986-0740
Wayne Pighin
Operations Manager
Crawley Maritime, Inc.
3812 Spenard Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99502
Arnold T. Polanchak
Assistant General Manager
Al as ka Rail road
Pouch 7-2111
Anchorage, Alaska 99510
(907) 265-2611
Ward Swift
Associate Manager
Water & Land Resources Department
Batelle Pacifie Northwest
Laboratories
Batell.e Boulevard
Richland, Washington 99352
(509) 946-2229
Joseph E. Usibelli
President
Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc.
Usibelli, Alaska 99787
(907) 683-2226
6-30
·,,
'--/
-_ .. ,
'-·
REFERENCES
Anderson; Donald (University of Washington~ Department of Mining,
Metallurguca1 and Ceramic Engineering). 11 Feasibi1ity Study of
Min.ing Alàska Coal and Transportation by Slurry to the West coast.11
U.S. Buréau of. Mines Open File Report 17(1)-78. Jan. 5, 1978,
p. ,6.
Batelle Pacifie , Northwest Laboratories. Alaskan Electric Powér, An
Anal sis of Future Re uirements and Su 1 Alternatives for the
Railbe1t Region •. Vo ume I. Richland, Washington: Alaska Division
of Ënergy and Power Oevel opment, March 1978.
Carlson,. W.H. 11 Fue1 Transportation, 11 Comparative Stud,y of Coal and
Nuclear Generating 0Rtions For The Pacifie Northwest," Vol. II,
·Riehland, Washtngton: Washington Public Power Supply System, 1977.
Kirshenbaum, Noel w. (Beluga Coal Company). "Beluga Field Potential·:
. Transportation... For presentation at the Coal Workshop, Al as ka
·Coal and the Pacifie, Juneau, Alaska, September 22 and 23, 1977.
Placer Amex, lnc. 11 Beluga Status Report.•• Oecember 1977.
Pi:tSch, Benno. Placer Amex Company, !ne., Meeting, April, 1978.
Usibelli, Joseph. President, USibelli Coal Mining Company,
Communication.
6-31
APPENDIX 6-A
HYDROTRANSPORT OF BELUGA COAL
CoLORADO ScHOOL oF MINEs RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
November 7, 1972
CSMHI Project No. C20906
Mr. s. A. Wilson
852 Wilson Building
Dallas, Texas 75201
Dear Mr. ·Wilson:
P.O. Box 112
GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401
The following Jetter report presents our findings with regard to the hydraulic
transport of coal from your Alaskan deposit. The data included here should V
provide your engineering group with a Jirm basis for the preparation of a
preliminary feasibility study of the hydrotransport probler:n.
INTRODU C'I'ION
Mr. S. A. Wilson is interested in a coal deposit on the Chuitna River in .Alaska
and he wishes to market about 5 million tons of coal per year from this deposit.
Although market requirements are not well defined, Mr. Wilson e:.wisions an ·
operation similar to the one at Black Mesa, Arizona, where the coal is ground
and pumped, as a slurry, through a long distance pipeline.
In order to determine whether or not the hydrotransport idea was feasible,
Mr: Wilson requested assistance from the Colorado School of Mines Research
Institute. · On September 14, 1972, a proposai to s,tudy the problem was made
in a letter from Mr. James Link to Mr. Wilson. The proposai was accepted
and the study was completed in October and NovPmber 1972.
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
The objective of the work discussed in this report was to provide preliminary
data so that the feasibility of the hydrotransport of the Chuitna coal could be
evaluated by Mr. Wilson. Bas1c product requi.rements were assumed to be.
similar tb thos~ published for the Black Mesa Pipeline coal.
Mlfwral Jm:lu.lfry Re.rear:CII
·c .. J2
·~·
'·1 Mr. S. A. Wilson
Dallas, Texas
November 7, 1972
Pa!te 2
Samples of core from the Chuitna coal deposit were provided by Mr. Wilson.
These were split longitudinally and pulverized to a size approximating the
Black Mesa coal. Slurries were then prepared in the rheology laboratory
with this coal and their viscosities measured. These and other data wer.e,
then analyzed by me ans of a computer and friction los ses in IZ-~nch and 18-
inch diameter pipelines were estimated.
COt\CLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDA 'riONS
On the basis of the preliminary rheology studies of the samples submitted,
it appea.rs that the Chuitna coal is amenable to pipeline transport in slurry
form. No effort was made to develop cast data for this transport because
the preliminary feasibility calculations were outside of the scope of this
study. However, friction head lasses for the slurry studied were found to
be somewhat higher than those for Black Mesa slurries. At Black Mesa a
friction head loss of 19 psi per mile for a 50o/o by weight slurry moving at
a velocity of 5. 8 feet per second in an 18-inch pipe is reported. A similar
head loss for the slurries studied would be developed by a 40% solids by
weight slurry moving at a veloc.ity of 4. 9 feet per second in an 18-inch pipe.
This would indicate that somewhat greater effort would be required to move
the Chuitna slurry than the Black Mesa slurry.
The specifie gravity of the coal as received was found to be 1. 452. This
value appears to be toward the high end of the range for most coals and may
reflect weathering or a high ash content. The erfect of ash in the hydre-
transport of coal is to increase the specifie gravity of the coal and the vis-
cosity of .the vehicle, and thereby increase the friction lasses in the slurry.
The viscosity of the coal slurry increase d from 1 7 eps at a solids concen-
tration of 38. 3% to 96 eps at a solids concentration of 42. 7% by weight. This
rapid increase in viscosity may be a function of the particle size distribution
chosen for this study.
If after completion of the feasibility study, the hydrotransport scheme appears
to have merit, a study in the hydraulic test loop should be conducted. The ef-
fects of slurry concentration and particle size distribution should be thoroughly
investigated at that time. Market requirements with regard to coal sizing
should also be studied as should the physical and chemical properties of the
co al.
6-33
Mr. S. A. Wilson
Dallas, Texas
· November 7, 1972
Paa-e 3
DISCUSSION
Optimum pipeline design for the transport of a slurry requires the knowledge
of that critical velocity for a given solids concentration which will prevent'
partic!e settling and minimize friction losses. In a coal slurry this velocity
is a fuhction of particle size, solids concentration, particle size distribution,
and pipe diameter •. Pipe diameter is also a governing factor in pipeline ca-
pacity. ·
For the purpose of the preliminary feasibility study, it was suggested that a
coal size consist similar to that at the Black Mesa pipeline be used. This
consist is reported to be as follows:
+14 mesh
14 x 28 mesh
28 x 3 25 .mesh
-325 mesh
<2%
<15%
70-84%
<20%
Friction head !osses for this slurry at a weight concentration of 50% solids
are reported to be 19 psi per mile in an 18-inch diameter pipe.
Sample Description and Preparation.
'; ,.
A sample bag containing severa! plastic wrapped lengths of drill core was re-
ceived at the Research Institute. 'The bag was labeled 11 Chuitna River, Alaska,
Core Hole D, August, 1971, 58-67'." The bag contained about 10 pounds of
coal core.
The in'dividual samples were carefully unwrapped and sawed longitudinally into'
two pi~ces. One half of thè core was rewrapped and returned to the sample bag;
the other half was put aside for the test work.
Upon completion of the sample sawing, the core was passed through a roll crusher
to .reduce it to proper size for testing. After passing through the roUs the sample
was crushed to 20 mesh in a Raymond mill. The following particle distribution
resulted
+20 mesh
20 x 28 mesh
28 x 325 mesh
-325 mesh
0.4%
27.5%
68. Oo/o
4. 1%
6-34
~~
["--'
Mr. S. A. Wilson
Dallas, Texas
November 7, 1972
Page 4
The resulting material was rouch coarser than that pumped at Black Mesa.
'fherefore, the sample was regroundin the Raymond mill to pass 65 mesl}.
The results of this crushing were as follows:
Screen Product Weight.
(Tyler) Mesh o/o
+65 0
-65 +100 22.7
-100 +150 21. 1
-150 +200 17. 3
-zoo +z?o 9. 6
-270 +325 6. 5
-325 22.8 -
100. 0
From this analysis it will be seen that 77. Zo/o of the coal is in the minus 65
plus 325 mesh fraction. The minus 325 mesh material is somewhat over
the 20o/o limit set in the Black Mesa contract. This grind is somewbat finer
than desired, but the minus 325 mesh material increases the fiuid viscosity
and any friction loss results obtained with this sample should be conservative.
Specifie Gravity of the Coal
Specifie gravity of the coal sample was determinecl using a modified version
of the procedure outlined in ASTM Standards, 1969, Part II, D884-.58.
Methanol was used as the liquid component. Thé average specifie gravity
of the coal after grinding to 65 mesh was 1. 452.
Viscosities and Specifie Gravities
Table 1 summarizes the slurry viscosities measured for given gravimetrie
concentrations at a constant temperature. Complete data sheets are given in
the Appendix as Exhibit 1. Figure 1 shows the relationship between dynamic
viscosity, in centipoise, and concentration by volume. Volumetrie concen-
tration is a more basic variable than concentration by weight.
6-35
Mr. S. A. Wilson
Dallas, Texas
Novemœr 7,1972
Pa~e 5
Table 1
Summary of Viscometry Data
Slurry: Alaskan coal (minus 65 mesh} in water.
Concentration
' Weight Volume
Viscometer o/o %
Storrner 37.5 29.2
Storm er 40.6 32.0
Brookfield 2C( 1) 38.3 29.9
BrooÛ:field 3 C 39. 6 31. 1
Brookfield 3C 42.7 33.9
Broo~field 3C 40.0 31.5
1/ Cylindrical spindle number.
Z/ Not applicablè.
Temperature oc
20.0
19.4
20.0
20,4
21.2
20.9
Viscosity r~I<; -n
K rn. centipoise
66 N. A. {2 )N. A. (2 )
125 N. AJ2)N. A. (2 )
16. 8 12. 3 . o. 233
27.3 26. 5 0.231
95.9 93.6 0.220
23. 2 52.3 0.154
These data suggest that 40% by weight or 32% by volume is about the maximum
concentration for this particular· size distribution for the coal submitted. Ex-
perience at the Colorado School of Mines with other coals indicates that concen~
trati.ons of 35% by weight can be slurried to produce viscositie s less than 10 eps.
A major factor is the particle size distribution. It may be possible to slurry a · ·
higher concentration of the Alaskan coal to give the same viscosity if the patticle
size distribution is shifted slightly toward the coarser sizes. In addition to
particle size distribution, the higher specifie gravity of the coal and possibly ·.
its ash content may be responsible for the higher viscosities and lower concen-
trations than originally expected.
6-36
'~
LE-9
rt:o:) U'e)1SBIV ..lOJ UOJl\:!..l"jUO;)J.lO;) 'Sf. Knso:>Sfi\ .l 0JT1:d}.!l
Ol 6 (·: L 9 S v e Z
Mr. S. A. Wilson
Dallas, Texas
November 7, 1972
Page 7
Pipeline Energy Requirements
Table II list s the predicted pressure drops due to friction in 12 -inch and 18-
inch diameter pipes transporting the slurries whose rheological properties
were determined by a Brookfield viscometer. Computations were made
originally in SI (metric) units and then converted to English units. This ex-
plains the odd values for velocity in ft/sec listed in Table II.
Scaling up rheology data to predict pipeline energy requirements is still an
art rather than a science. A scale-up method suggested by Metzner, Reed,
and Dodge (1, 2) was used in a computer program to couvert rheological data
measured for a power-law fluid (the coal slurry) to pipeline friction losses.
The computed pressure drops appear to be reasonable. J. G. Mont fort in the
May 8, 1972, issue of The Oil and Gas Journal, cites a pressure drop due to
friction of 19 psi per mile for the Black Mesa coal slurry pipeline. This is
for a 50% by weight slurry flowing at 4200 gpm or 5. 8 ft/ sec in an 18 -inch
. diameter line delivering 660 tons of Çry coal per hour.
1/~~1\lfeTzner. A.: B •• and Reed, J. c .. Flow of Non-Newtonian Fluids-
Correlation of the Laminar, Transition, and Turbulent-Flow Regions,
A. I. Ch. E. Jour •• v. 1, no. 4, December 1955, pp. 434-440. ·
2/ Dodge, D. W., and Metzner, A. B., Turbulent Flow of Non-Newtonian
Systems, A. I~ Ch. E. Jour •• v. 5, no. 2, June, 1959, pp. 189-204.
6-38
'~
~~
Mr. s. A. Wilson
Dallas, Texas
Novembe.t" 7, 1972
Palle 8
Table II
Pipeline Energy Predictions
Slurry: Alaskan Coal (minus 65 mesh) in water, 8=1. 452
Pressure Drop in Psi per Mile
Cw Temp. V el. for 12-inch diameter for 18 -inch diameter
% Wt. Sm oc ft/ sec--4. 9 6. 6 8.2 9.8 4.:9 6. 6 8. 2 9.8 -
38.3 1.135 20.0 10.2 10.9 11. 5 12. 0 6. 2 6. 6 7.0 7. 3
39. 6 1. 141 20.4 21.9 23.4 24.6 25.7 13.3 14.2 14.9 15.6
42.7 1. 153 21.2 .74.1 78.9 82. 9. 86. 3 45. 2 48. 1 50. 6 52. 6
40.0 1.142 20.9 32.2 33,7 34.9 35.9 20. 2 21. 1 21. 8 22. 5
A similar pressure drop due to friction was computed for a 40o/o by weight
.Chv.itna slurry moving at 4. 9 ft/ sec. On the basis of this comparison. it
would appear that energy requirements for Chuitna slurries will be higher
at lower solids concentrations than those at Black Mesa. This will in-
crease the costs for slurry transport, but the extent may only be determine d
by a complete feasibility study.
Thank you very much for this opportunity to serve you. If you have any
questions regarding this study, please contact me. ··
Si ncerely,
~~~
Director of Research
Mining Di vision
ebm
enclosures
;;?;P__fft~
R. R. Faddick
Slurry Transport Specialist
&-39
COl-ORADO SCHOOL OF MINES AESEARCH INSTITUTE
EXHIBIT 1
VISCOSITIES OF COAL-WATEH SLURRIES
Sample: Minus 65 Mesh Alaskan Coalin Water.
Viscometer: Stormer.
Sample Description: Specifie Gravity of Coal: 1. 452 at 25°C.
Concentration: 37. 5% by weight; 29. Z% by volume.
Temperature: 20. PC before test; 19. 9°C after test.
Re marks:
Dynamic
Force 'rime for 100 Re v. Viscosity
g t sec, average cps<1 )
50 77.6 100+
60 50.3 90
80 33.5 78
100 25.9 73
150 16. 5 66
200 12. 9 65
300 9. 5 65
400 7. 4 66
1/ From calibration charts for CSM Stormer
viscometer.
Dynamic viscosity is 66 eps at 20. ooc. Sub-
stantial settling in Stormer eup. Data not
considered accu.rate.
6-48
Ti me
min
20.0
A-l
·~ .. J ._,
·~
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
EXHIBIT 1
(continued)
Sample: Minus 65 Mesh Alaskan Coalin Water.
Viscometer: Stormer.
Sample Description: Specifie Gravity of Coal: 1. 452 at 25°C.
Concentration: 40. 6% by weight, 32. Oo/o by volume.
Temperature: 19. 3°C before test; 19. 4°C after test.
Dynamic
Force Time for 100 Re v. Viscosity
_g_ t sec, average cps(1)
100 61.8 183
150 36.0 157
200 25. 6 145
300 16. 6 135
400 12. 5 135
500 9.9 130
600 8.3 125
1/ From calibration charts for CSM Stormer
viscometer.
Remarks: Dynamic viscosity is 125 eps at 19. 4°C. Con-
siderable deposition of coal in Stormer eup.
Data not considered accurate.
6-41
Ti me
min
17.5
A-2.
COLORADO SCHOOI. OF MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
EXHIBIT 1
(continued)
Sample: Minus 65 Mesh Alaskan Coalin Water.
Viscometer: Brookfield LVT. Spindle 2C.
Sample Description: Specifie Gravity of Coal: 1. 452 at 25°C •
. Concentration: 38. 3o/o by weight. 29. 9% by volume. ·
Temperature: 20. ooc before test; io. ooc after tests.
rpm
6
12
30
60
60
30
12
6
Dial
Reading
27.0
32.2
40.1
46.6
46.6
39.5
32.4
27.4
Ti me
Average min
27.2
32.3
39.8
46. 6
19.6
A-3
Re marks: Dynarnic viscosity at 45 rpm by computer is 16. 8 eps.
Rheogra.m equation: r= 12. 3~0 • 2 33
6-42
·~
_,
'"-
COLORAOO SCHOOL OF MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
EXHIBIT 1
(continue d)
Sample: Minus 65 Mesh Alaskan Coalin Water.
Viscometer: Brookfield LVT, Spindle 3C.
Sample Description: Specifie Gravity of Coal: 1. 452 at 25°C.
· Concentration: 39. 60/o by weight, 31.10/o by volume.
Temperature: 20. soc be fore test; 20. 3°C after test.
Di al
rpm Reading
6 13. 0, 14.1
12 18. 2, 1 7. 8
30 22. 1, 22. 5
60 24. 9, 25. 9
60 25. 5, 25. 6
30 23. 3, 22. 5
12 20. 5, 18. 5
6 1.5. 6, 16. 4
Average
14.8
18.8
22. 6
25. 5
Ti me
min
18.0
A...;4
Remarks: Dynamic v iscosity at 45 rpm by computer is 27. 3 eps.
Rheogram equation: f = 26. 5pO. 231
6-43.
COlORADO SCHOOl OF MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
EXHIBIT 1
{continued)
Sample: Minus 65 Mesh Alaskan ·coal in Water.
Viscometer: Brookfield LVT, Spindle 3C.
Sample Description: Specifie Gravity of Coal: 1. 452 at 25°C.
Concentration: 42. 7% 'by weight, 33. 9o/o by volume •
. Temperature: 21. zoe before test; 21. zoe after test.
Di al
rpm Reading
6 52.3
12 64.8
30 77.1
60 87.8
Ayerage
52.3
64.8
77.1
87.8
Time
min -
3.8
A·S
Reinarks: Dynamic viscosity at 45 rpm by computer is 95 •. 9 eps.
Rheogram equation~ r~= 93. 6 :r 0 ~ 2 ?q
r,;
6-44
v
~
v
' ~ :61. -· ..f
-,
COL.ORAOO SCHOOL OF MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
EXHIBIT 1
(continued)
Sample: Minus 65 Mesh Alaskan Coalin Water.
Viscometer: Brookfield LVT, Spindle 3C.
Sf:lmple Description: Specifie Gravity of Coal: 1. 452 at zsoc.
· · Concentration: 40. Oo/o by weight, 31. 5o/o by volume.
Temperé;l.ture: ZO. soc before test; 21. ooc after test.
Dial
rpm Reading
6 28. 2
12 31. 4 ..
30 36.4
60 40.1
Average
28. 2
31.4
36.4
40~1
Time·
min
4. 0
A-6
Remarks: Dynamic viscosity at 45 rpm by computer is 23. 2 eps.
Rheogram equation: 7 = 52, 3J 0 • 154
6-45
RltPORTS
SURVI!!YS
. DESIGN
SUP!:FtVI<$JON
APPENDIX 6-B
HAROLD H. GAL.L.IETT. JR.
RIGISTER&:D CIVIL ENOINEitR
13 November 1978
Dr~ Gene Rutledge
Qivision of Energy And Power
Deve1opment
Sta,te of Alaska
7th noor
Mac~ay .Bui 1 ding
3.38 Dena 1 i Street
Anchorage, Al as ka 99507
Telephone: (907) 276-0.508
SubJect: Proposed System,
Economica1 Shipment,
Beluga Coal
Déar Dr. Rutledge:
746 F STREE'!'
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA Oll~d!
ltl:-~212
2'~-3~:!6
t .. : .. ',
U
:i ·,t
ü ri IF, n Wl tf: . rœ ''"' .8,1 ::, ü 1!1 lÇ [Y)
l~IJ\1 16 1978
. AlASKA ENtiGY OffiCE
Economi cal shi pment of Beluga .coal will. reql!i re ingenui ty and
.innovation.
Beluga coal can prob~bly be sold in the near future on the
West Coast and in Japan in campet i ti on wi th de sul ph uri zed fuel ail.
This would reduce our dependance on foreign ail, improve our balance
of payments, free residual ail for upgrading ta 1 ighter fuels and
create jobs in Alaska.
Beluga cqal is about '25 percent moisture and 10 percent ash ..
Heat content runs about 8,000 BTU per pound. Average rank is
Subbituminous "C". I believe this coal slacks comparatively easily
on exposure ta the air. Similar Alaska coals heat quickly when stored
in ordinary piles, and there may be a greater than average risk of
fire in piles and in ship•s holds due to spontaneous combustion.
Even so, Beluga coa1 has only about 0.2 percent sulfur, and is also
thought ta be very law in heavy metals.
The total system of coa1 use inc1udes mining, land transportation,
cleaning, sizing, storage, loading, marine transportation, unloading,
land transportation, s tora ge, re co very and fi ring. The tota 1 system
6-46
"-" must offer economies of scale, simplicity, specialization, security
and 1 ow po 11 ut ion to be competitive.
Mini ng i s ass umed to begin in the Capps co a 1 beds. The
stripping ratio is lower than in the Chuitna beds.
As-mined coal is loaded into 80-ton rail cars. Electric
locomotives haul unit trains about 30 miles to a coal cleaning and
processing plant at Beluga. About 24-miles of this run is o'n a
2 percent down grade. Locomotives are designed for regenerative
braking. Empty trains on the upgrade would use sorne of the re-
generative power and connection to the Anchorage power grid wouJd
stabilize the regeneration.
The coal is processed to yield two fractions -clean, sized
coal for mari,ne transportation and shaly coal for local power
generation.
Shaly coal for local power generation is burned in fluidized
bed boiJers in the presence of limestone. The purpose is to reduce
emissions of sul fur and nitr.ogen oxides and to burn shaly coal
effectively without fusion of the ash. Ash is disposed of by filling.
Goal is handled, stored, loaded, unloaded, stored and recovered
using the t4arcona System.· In this system, coal is suspended in water
at the processing plant. The coal suspension is then pumped to
storage ponds. These ponds are kept free of ice using power plant
cool i.ng water.
Coal is resuspended using Marcona jets, and then pumped aboard
ships or barges. Because the coal pipeline from the storage pond
to the ship is short compared with coal pipelines for long-distance
coa1 transportation, high flow rates, high turbulence and high head
loss are tolerable, and a relatively coarse coal can be loaded.
The water used to suspend the coal, drains freely through the·
relatively coarse coal in the hold of the ship or barge, and is pumped
ashore. The use of relatively-coarse coal is essential to permit
quick drainage. Drainage of free water allows the ship or barge to
carry a much Jarger load of coal. Quick drainage avoids delay at
dockside while potentially polluting drainage water is pumped ashore'
for settling and re-use or treatment and disposa 1.
Integrated tug-barges* are the least expensive way to transport
coal to the West Coast, and may even be competitive with Japanese
* 0 1 DoJ1nel, J. P. , 11 100 ,000-dwt Tu g-barge p 1 anned, 11 Oil and Gas
Journal, October 1, 1973, page 61-65.
6-47
shi ps in transporti ng coa 1 to Japan. The, bow of the tugs i s 1 ocked
into a notch in the stern of the barge, and the barge is pushed,
rather than being towed on a cable. Draft is about 80 percent of
the draft of ships of equa1 tonnage, and the initial cast of the .
integrated tug-barge is only about 70 percent of the cast of a ·
conventienal collier of similar tonnage.
The ice, currents, tides and depths at Beluga seem to require
a special loading facility. Such a facility is proposed to consist
of an i ce-breaki ng offshore maori ng caisson connected to shor.e by .
pipelines laid in trenches on the bottom. Vessels vane with the .
current to a protected position behind' the mooring caisson. Goal and
return water are carried in hases between the vesse'l and the mooring
caisson. · ·
An a 1 te rna ti ve to the i ce-break i ng offshore mao ring caisson
might be to provide ice-breaking and current-deflecting mooring .
caissons at bath ends of the present North Farel ands dock.
Unloading at destination is done with Marcona jets instal1ed
in the double bottom of the vessel. Power plants should be on or
near navigable water to mi ni mi ze further co al transportation costs.
HG:mg
Very truly yours, . r--
~~94.~,~·
Harol d H • Ga 1 li et t , J r. ,
Registered Civil Engineer
6-48
013Ij lVOJ V9nl38 3Hl jQ 1N3WSS3SSV 1V1N3WNO~IAN3
L ~31dVH:l
'"'-
1 NTRODUCTI ON
CHAPTER 7
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE
BELUGA COAL FIELDS
The devel opme nt of the Beluga coal fields i s a massive project and, i·n the
course of this discussion, sorne subjects have been only superfici ally
covered. As originally envisioned, this report was ta have drawn heavily,
on work ta have been conducted 'by the Argonne National Laboratory. lt was~
intended that thei r indentification of envi rorrnental parameters,
l
establishment of a basel ine data monitoring program and procedures, and,'
identification of relevant reclamation technologies would provide valuable
infonnation and analysis which were not possible under the budget'
constraints of the DEPD study. Unfortunately, the Argonne program wasnot
funded. Consequently, this chapter is presented with the acknowledgement:
that it is limited in scope and depth and additional study in needed.,
AS has been pointed out by the State of A las ka, Pepartment of Environ-.,
mental Conservation, Division of Planning and Program Coordination in,
their review of this chapter, sorne of the infonnation sources used for
this project have be en superseded. Bec au se this report cave red su ch a'
large number of subjects, not all of the envfronmental issues have been
covered in great depth. In. line with the Oepartment of Environmental
Conserva ti on • s recommendations, more recent and more speci fic i nfonnat,i on
can be found in the Alaska Oepartment of Fish and Game (AOF&G) Coastal ..
Habitat Atlas and Re.source Inventories published through the Coastal Zone
Management Program {CZM). These source ma teri al s conta in current and
detailed infonnation regarding', among other subjects, escapement, habitat
and life history data which supplement the di.stribution maps.
Further information on the environmental issues resulting from coal field
devel opment project can be fou nd in the Placer .Amex envi ronmental impact
statement. The Bureau of Mines also is developing infonnation on this'
subject. Another source of infonnation would be the United States
Geological Survey.
ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE
It is the purpose of this chapter to establish the environmental bac·k-
ground of the Beluga Coal Fields. The chapter emphasizes soil and S()il
conditions dealing only summarily with environnental impact on water and
air. The scenario for the decision-making process and governmental
permit process discussed in another chapter. In regard to the information
included in this chapter, unless otherwise noted, all quotations, tables
or li sts are from the Al as ka Regional Profil es Stud,x, "Southcentral
Region," canposed by the University of Alaska, Arctic Environmental
Infonnation and Data Center (1974).
LOCATION
Geographically, the Beluga Coal District di scussed in this report ts
located on the western shore of Cook Inlet between 40 and 60 miles due
west of Anchorage and is bounded by the Cook Inl et on the east and south;
the Chakachatna River on the west; the Capps Glacier and Beluga Lake on
the north and northwest, and the Beluga River on the north and northeast. ·
By 1 egal description, the a rea is contatned in the foll owing townships~ of
the Sewa rd Mer id i an:
CLIMATE
T.llN., R.lO-14W. inclusive
T.12N., R.lO -14W. inclusive
T.l3N., R. 9-14W. inclusive
T.14N., R.lO .. 14W. inclusive
T.l5N., R.ll -14W. inclusive
The Beluga District falls within the transitional cJimate zone between a
maritime and a continental climate, at times assuming the characteristics·
of one or the other. The higher elevations and inland areas are lèss
affected by oéean moderation and more closely resemble a continental
cl imate zone.
7-2
·~
Wi~h local variations, the mean annual tempe·rature is generally above one
degree Centigrade ( th.irty-four degrees Farenhei t). January minimum and -' . '•
maximum temperatùres range fran 0-4°F .to .. 16-20°F. July minimum and
maximum tempera tu res range from 46-50°F to 64-68°F.
' Based on regional infonnation, the Beluga District can be assumed to nave
a growing season ranging fran 68 days in the upland areas to 115 .. days
along the coast.
The mean annual precipitation rate is 150 to 250 centimeters (60 to 100
inches) which includes the water equivalent of the mean annual snowfall of
50 to 100 centimeters (20 to 40 inches). · .,
HYDROLOGY
Three major river systems, the Chakachatna, Beluga, and .the Chuitn~
(Chuit), dtain the area along with numerous small streams and creeks
\_. running through the systems. The Chakachatna,. which heads in Chakachamna
Lake, and its glacer-fed tributaries draiA the extreme western and
southwes te rn portions of the district. The Chu i tna, a 1 so ca 11 ed the
Chuit, a non-glacial river, and its tributaries drain the central and
southern portions of the district. The glacier-fed Beluga, which has its
headwaters at Beluga Lake, drains the northern sector of the district.
The Chakachatna System, which begins in the 26 square mile Chakachamna
Lake, has a 1,620 square mile drainage basin. With an approximate length
of 36 mil es, the Chakachatna has an estima ted flow of 4,140 cu bic feet per ·
second, an annual estimated runoff of three mill ion acre feet, and is
considered a prime potential hydroelectric site at an installed capacity
of 366 .MW with a very low index cost of 6.5 as defined by the Alaska Power.
' Administration. The index cost is the estimated 1965-66 busbar mill cost ··
' . ·. ;''
per Kwh for de.velopi,ng the site, not including transmissions costs.·
' '
The Chuitna River (Chuit), which rises near the southern edge of the Capps
Glacier and flows 27 miles westward to the Cook Inlet, is not a glacially
fed river. It drains an approximate area of 150 square miles and has an
7-3
average estimated flow of 200 cubic feet per second. Although it is
idéntified as a potential hydroelectric site with an installed capacity of
9 MW, it has a very high indéx cost, 83.4.
The 35-mile long Beluga River drains an area of 930 square miles, has an
annual estimated runoff of 1.8 million acre feet, and an average estimated
flOw of 2,400 cubic feet per second. Two potential hydroelectric sites
have be en identified on the Beluga: the Upper Beluga si te wi th an
' installed capacity of 48 MW with an index cost of 11.1, a lower priced
site las defined by the Alaska Power Administration, and the Lower Beluga
site with an installed capacity or 15 MW with an index cost of 19.1 being
slightly higher than the former.
Flooding occurs regularly in the spring along the entire length of the
Beluga, lower portions of the Chakachatna, and upper reaches of the
Chu i tna. Al most all surface wa ter of the a rea i s of the calcium bicar-
bonate type and is low in dissolved sol ids although in the lowlands, water
may contain objectionable amounts of iron and organic matter. Most of .the
glacially-fed streams have high silt concentrations, especially during the
summer. Suspended sediment concentrations, range fran less th an 50
milligrams per liter, for · streams originating in the area, to so~zoo
inglliter, for streams originating outside the distr·ict. Wells in thearea.
yield 10·100 gallons per minute.
!he water temperatures of most lakes and streams average 0°C (32°F) in the
wfnter and 'l2°C (53°F) in the ·summer.
SOILS .
During the Wisconsin or Illinoian age of the Quaternary times, the Beluga
'Goal District was covered by a large ice field. Because of the fee field,
th~ present sail geol ogy cons ists primarily of glacial acustine deposi ts.
These silt-rich deposits, produced by glacially-dammed lakes,
discon~inuously mantle g·lqcial and glaciofluvial desposits of
~
unconsol'idated ma teri al laid du ring the Plei stocine Epoch. '...1
7-4
Geologically speaking, the area is young ~ith resulting soil profil~s
being poorly developed. The higher, upland elevations consist primarily,
of slightly to moderately modified glacial moraines and associated drifts.
Wind blown. silts cover much of these upland deposits. Along the major
rivers and streams are well-sorted flood plain, terrace, and alluvial fari
deposits •. The lowland areas are mantled with glacial deposits that range
widely in texture and are overlain by well drained to poorly drained silt
loam often with peat bogs in the depressions.
The a rea is ~enera11y free of permafrost wi th a few isol ated masses
present.
Although th~ Beluga Coal District is geologically young, with corre-
sponqing poorly-devel oped son profiles, there i s a surpris ing array of
soil type.s present.·
The southern and southwestern.portton of the district, T.llN., R.12-14W.
and T.12N., R.l3. and 14W., lies in a zone where soils are generally poorly
·drained, water-laid materials. The soils have a sandy texture with a low
· erosiQn potential and the slopes are generally less than 12 percent. For
ag ri cultural pu rposes, these soil s are cons 1dered nonarabl e, su 1 table only
for grazing or range.
The higher, alpine elevations of the west central portion of the ar.ea,
near the Capps Glacier have soils that range from well-drained dark soils
formed in fin·e volcanic ash of a medium loamy texture with medium erosion.
potential . and slopes exceeding 12 percent to poorly-drained, parti ally
· decanposed peat containing lenses of vol canic ash. These soi1 s are 25-50
percent arable and are well suited for grazing purposes. Both the Capps
Coal · Field, the first field scheduled for development, and the main·
portion .of ,the Chuitna West Coal Field, lie in this soil zone.
The east central ~and northern portions of the district contains soils that
rangé from p~orly drained fi brous peat which freezes in the winter, to.
well-drained pc id soil s ranging from 1oamy texture to gravel with low ·to
medium erosiqn potential pn slopes of generally less than 12 percent.
7-5
Seing 50 percent or more arable, these soils are eminently suited for sorne
fonn of agriculture. The Threemile Coal Field lies entirely within '~h:is
soil zone.
Locally, shallow bogs exist in the low, poorly drained depressions of the
·area, and along the coast, marshes of fine silt occur--particularly among
the de 1 tas of the major rive rs.
FLORA
Five major vegetation canmunities are found within the boundaries of the
Beluga Coal District study area: 1. Alpine, 2. High Brush, 3. Ûpland
Spruce-Hardwood Forest, 4. Lowland Spruce-Hardwood Forest, and 5. 'wet
' .
Tundra. Two of the systems, the Lowland and Upland Spruce~Hardwood
Forests, domi.nate the area and comprise approximately 60-70 percent of the
vegetation present.
See Appendix 7-A for a 1 i sti ng of those p1ants that may occur in ·the
Beluga Coàl District area.
Al pi ne Vegetation Community
The Alpine community, located in the extreme western higher elevations of.
the area, occupies less than three percent of the land a rea consider.ed.
This system "is composed mostly of low mat plants, both herbaceous· anq
shrubby, and is typically found on rock and rubble of mountains abovè 2500
fF (BOOm). . .. Regeneration (plant growth) is often extremely slow.
following damage by fire, me.chanical disturbance, or by overgrazing. Sorne
lichens may require more than 60 years to fully recover."
The plant material that comprises the core of the Alpine Vegetation
community is as follows:
7-6
Shrubs
Resin Birch
Dwarf Arctic Bîrch
Aret ic Willow
Crowberry
Labrador Tea
Mountain Heather
Rhododendron
Dwarf Bl ueberry
Alpi ne 81 uebe rry
Alpine Bearberry
Grasses, Herbs, Others
Mountain Avens
Moss Campion
Arctic Sandwort
Cassiope
Al pi ne Azalea
Sedges
Lichens
Moss es
Mie. Fungi
High Brush Vegetation Canmun'ity
Betula glandulosa
B. nana, ssp. exi 1 is
Salix arctica ssps.
Empetrum nigrum ssps.
Ledum palustre ssp groenlandicum
Phyll odoce ssp.
Rhododendron lapponicum
Vaccinium caepitosum
V. uliginosum ssp alpinum.
Arctostaphylos alpina
Dryas spp
Silene acaulis ssps
Minuartia arctica
Cassiope spp
Loiseluria procumbens
Juncus spp
Located in the west central portion of the Beluga di strict, the High Brush.
plant community covers approximately 15 percent of the land area. 11 The
dominant species in these dense, open brush systems range from willows
along streams to al der above timberl ine. The type occurs between beach
and forest, between treeline and alpine tundra, in avalanche paths through
forests, on floodplains, and in old forest burn areas. Trees, such as
quaking aspen, Alaska paper birch, and white spruce may be present but are
.widely scattered. The high brush system occupies a great variety of
soil s--fran poorly drained wi th permafrost in low river valleys to
well-drained shallow upland soils on moraines. It is also found on
outwash and mountain slope soils with intermittent permafrost .... Species
c001position varies considerably with location ...
7-7
The following list identifies those plant species most 1 ikely to be fou nd
in this system:
Shr.ubs
Sitka Alder
American Green Alder
Thinl eaf al der
Devil •s club
Willow
Currant
Bl ueberry
Raspberry
Soapberry
L igonberry
Alaska Spirea
Th imb 1 eberry
Sal monberry
Dogwood
Grasses, Herbs, Others
B luejoint
Fescue
Yarrow
Lupine
Jacob's Ladder
Horseta il
Fireweed
Parsl ey fern
Lady fern
Marsh fern
Fragi 1 fern
Lichens
Masses
Alnuscrispa ssp. si·nuata
. A. crispa ssp. crispa
\A. incana ssp. tenuifol ia
Echinopanax horridum
Salix ssp.
Vaccinium spp.
Rubus spp.
Shepherdia canadensis
Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. mtnus
Spirea beauverdiana
Rubus parviflorus
Var. grandiflorus
R. spectabil i s
Cornus spp.
Calamagrostis spp.
Festuca spp.
Achillea spp.
Lupinus spp.
Pol emonium spp.
Equi setum spp.
Epi labium angustifol ium ssps.
Thelpteris phegopteris
Athyrium filix-femina
Upland Spruce•Hardwood Forest Vegetation Community
The Upland Spruce-Hardwood Forest covers most of the southern and central
portions of the Beluga di strict; approxima tel y 40 percent of the land
area. "This is a fairly dense, mixed forest composed of white spruce,
Al as ka paper bi rch, qua king as pen, black cottonwood and bal sam popl ar."
Occupying portions of nearly all well-drained sail types "large areas of
this ,system are generally found on the more deeply thawed, well-drained
. southerly slop~s at lower to mid-elevations and on hench lands ... "
7-8
\J
\_..·
It is fran this vegetation canmunity that trees are being taken by the
Tyonek Timber Canpany and l<ôdiak Lumber Mills for wood chip and saw .log·
operations. The timber lease lands, located in the southern portion of .the
Beluga district (Tll. and 12N., Rl2-14W., S.M.) occupies lands in which
"the beetle-infested stands (of timber) are predominantly Sitka spruce
with sorne white spruce •••• 11
"Timber productivity on the west shore of Cook Inlet is high. A U.S.
Forest Service inventory of the area in 1971 indicated almost as much
volume produced by the relatively small area (45,000 acres or 18.,200
hectares) as in Alaska 's entire Kuskokwim River floodplain. Most of
the commercial forest land produces more than 30 cubic feet per acre;
(cu. ft./ac.) per year of new growth. Total net volumes per acre:
range fran a low of approximately 600 BF to 30.2 MBF. The overall
average is 10.6 MBF or 2,140 cu. ft."
11 Infonnation on the specifie mortality causes is not available, but
blowdown, disease, insect, and animal damage in 'that arder are the
most likely agents. Presently, a condition .exists· whi.ch could
des troy the entire timber resource of the west Cook 'In let area · and
the southwestern portion of the Sus i tna Valley. Due to a prol o.nged.
drought, possibly augumented by land clearing in the area over a
pe riad of years, the endemie spruce bee tl e, Oendroctonus rufi pen ni s,
population has exploded to epidemie proportions and has already
· ravaged thousands of acres. The beatles are spreading and will
continue to destroy additional trees until checked naturally or
chemically."
The following list identifies those plant species most likely to be found
in the Upland Spruce-Hardwood Forest canmunity:
Trees
White spruce
Black spruce
Qua king as pen
A 1 as ka paper bi rch
Black cottonwood
Bal sam poplar
Shrubs
Willow
Al der
Rose
High bush cranberry
7-9
Picea glauca
P. mariana
Populus tremuloides
Betula papyrifera spp. humilis
Populus bal samifera ssp. trichocarpa
P. balsamifera $Sp. balsamifera
Sal ix spp.
Alnus spp.
Rosa spp.
Vi burnum edul e
l igonberry
Raspberry
Currant
Grasses, herbs, others
Bl uejoint
Fireweed
Horsetai1
Pars ley fern
Marsh fern
Lady fern
Fragile fern
Other ferns
Lichens
Masses
Mushrooms
Other fungi
Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. mfnus
Ru bus idaneus subsp. me 1 a no 1 as i us.~
Ribes spp.
Cal amagrostis spp.
Epilobium angustifoloium ssps. ·
Equ i setum spp.
Criptogramma crispa var. sitchensis
Thelypteris phegopteris
Athyrium fiHx-femina
Cystopteris fragil i s ssps.
Lowland Spruce-Hardwood Forest Vegetation Ccmmunity
The second major plant communi ty, the Lowl and Spruce-Hardwood Forest,
covers. approxima tel y 35 percent of the land area and is located in the
north and northcentral portions. 11 This is a dense to open 1owland forest
of evergreen and deciduous trees,. including pure stands of black spruce.
It usually occurs on areas of shallow peat, glacial deposits, outwash
plains, and on north-facing slopes .... Open forest stands with lichens
provide excellent win ter range for cari bou. Will ows and other brush
species furnish sh-el ter and browse for moose.11
The foll owing are the core species of a Lowl and Spruce-Hardwàod Forest:
Trees
Black spruce
White spruce
Alaska paper bi rch
Quaking aspen
Bals am pop la r
Black cottonwood
7-10
Picea mariana
P. glauca
Betula papyrifera ssp. humil is
Populus tremuloides
P. balsamifera ssp. balsamifera
P. balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa
·~
Shrubs·
Willow
Dwarf arctic birch
Ligonberry ·
Blueberry
Labrador tea
Crowberry ·
Bearberry
Grasses, herbs, others
Cotton grass
Horsetail
Fireweed
Parsl ey fern
Marsh fern
Fr agi le fern
Lichens
Moss es
L iverworts
Mushrooms
Other fungi
Wet Tundra Vegetation Community
Sal ix spp.
Betula nana ssp. exilis
Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus
Vaccinium spp.
Ledum palustre ssp. groenlandicum
Empetrum nigrum ssps.
Arctostaphyl os uva-urs i ssp.
minus
Eriophorum spp.
Equi setum spp.
Epilobium angustifolium ssps.
Cryp togramma cri spa var. si tchens i s
Thelypteris phegopteris
Cystopteris fragilis ssps.
The last vegetation system, the Wet Tundra, occupies approximately seven
percent of the area and is located in two separate areas. The first in
the extreme southwest portion and the second in a bel t along the eastern
boundary of the district. This community occurs not only inland but also
along the coast and among .the river del tas.
The "dominant vegetation is sedge and cottongrass, usually occurring as a
mat rather than as tussocks. A few woody and herbaceous plants occur on
· drier sites above the water table. Rooted aquatic plants occur along
shorel ines and in shallow lake s. This type occupies tide flats and areas
of little topographie relief near sea level. Soils. • .are primarily
pea t. The 1 imi ted act iv i ty of so il organ 1 sm( s) due to col d tempe ra tu res
reduces peat decomposition and there is little accumulation of vegetable
matter.11 This canmunity occupies an extremely important spot in the
1 i fecycles of migra tory birds and other waterfowl servi ng as res ting stops
or nesting grounds.
7-11
. ~.
The following list identifies those species most likely to be found in a ~
Wet Tundra community:
Shrubs
Willow
Dwarf arctic birch
Labrador tea
Shrubby cinquefoil
L ingonberry
Bog cranberry
Grasses, Herbs, Others
Lyme grass
Pendant grass
Cottongrass
Bur reed
Mare' s ta il
Rushes
s.edges
Lichens
Mosses
Liverworts
Mushroans
Other fungi
Salix spp.
Betula nana ssp. exilis
Ledum palustre ssp. groenlandicum
Potentilla frufticosa
Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus
Oxycocus microcarpus
Elymus arenarius
Arctophila fulva
Eriophorum spp.
Sparganium spp.
Hippuris spp.
Juncus spp.
Carex spp.
Fresh Water and Estuarine Vegetation Communities
Two additional plant communities exist that are extremely sensitive to
disturbance and encroachment by man. They are the fresh water and
estuarine communities or systems.
Aquatic Plants
''The lakes, ponds, pools, di teh es, and sl uggi sh streams of Southcl:mtral
Âlas.ka support a greatly varied flora. Not a drop of standing fresh water
is w.ithout its complement of plants and life."
'ÎThese aquatic plants range fran the ubiquitous, unicellular green and
blue-green al gae through the more visible filamentous g.reen al gae to the
sedges, rushes, grasses, and other higher plants, many of which flower in
their watery habitat. Aquatic masses are present in many locations. A
number Of thf!Se tender U l'! de rwa ter he rbs a re favored foods of mo ose:"
7-12
~
'vJ
A partial list of these. aquatic plants wh ich may be fou nd in Southcentral
A las ka fol1 ows:
Grasses, Herbs, Others
Single cell and filamentous
al gae
Blue-green algae
Club moss
Spi kè moss
Qufll wort
Horseta il
Bur reed
Pondweed
Arrowhead
Foxta il
M.anna grass
Spi ke rush
Sedge
Duckweed
Rushes
Dwarf
Ye llow pond li 1 y
Mars h mari go 1 d
Awlwort
Water starwort
water milfoil
Mare's ta il
water parsnip
Mudwort
Bladderwort
Salt Marshes and Wetland Plants
Chl orophyta
Chanophyta
Lycopodium spp.
Selaginella spp.
Isoetes spp.
Equisetum fluviatile
Aparganium spp.
Pontamogeton spp.
Sagittaria cuneata
Alopecurus aequalis
Glyceria spp.
Eleocharis palustris
Carex aquatilis
s s p • a qua ti 11 i s
Lemna spp.
Juncus spp.
Nymphaea tetragona
Nuphar polysepalum
Caltha palustris ssps.
Subularia aquatica
Callitriche spp.
Myriophyllum spp.
Hi ppurus spp.
Sium suave
Limosella aquatica
Utricularia spp.
"The salt marshes and wetlands which are found on the shores of estuaries
in Southcentral Alaska are heavily populated by a number of plant species.
It is these wetlands which produce the greatly admired displays of wild-
flowers each spring."
"These areas are very important to many different types of wildlife.
Waterfowl rest during migrations, feed, and often breed. and nest in these
estuarine meadows. Brown bear, and black bear inhabit the coastal
wetlands fran time .. to-time. Many small songbirds and small animals make
their homes here, and youn~ fish find shelter in the tidal channels which
meander throu~h them."
7-13
-~'
-
11 Farthest fran salt water, ryegrass and associates predaninate. This. zone
is followed by the hairgrass canmunity, and closest to the watert the
sedges predominate. Close to the mouths of streams in brackish water sorne
of the green marine algae may grow. Occasionally, a brown marine algae
appears in brackish water, while eelgrass grows where the water is salty."
Sorne of the plant species to be found in the salt marshes and wetlands ih
Southcentral Alaska are:
FAUNA
Grasses, Herbs, Others
Ditch grass
Horned Pondwood
Arrow grass
Al kali grass
Sedges
Rushes
Reed bent grass
Hair grass
Lyme grass
Yarrow
Kamchatka fritillary', Sarana
Shooting star
Buttercup
B.each pea
Indian paintbrush
Marsh fivefinger
Ruppia spiralis
Zanichellia palustris
Triglochin spp.
Puccinellia spp.
Carex spp.
Juncus spp.
Calamagrostis spp.
Deschampsia spp.
Elymus arenarius
spp. mollis, var. mollis
Ach i 11 a spp.
Fritillaria camshatcensis
Dodecatheon pulchellum.
spp. superbum · ·
Ranunculus spp.
Lathyrus maritimus ssps.
Cast ill eja spp.
Oenanthe sarmentosa
Potentilla palustris
Of all the large terrestrial mammal s that inhabit Alaska, only three, the
brown and black bea.rs and moose, occupy the Beluga coal district with any
great regular1ty and only moose have areas of high use within its
boundaries.
Brown and black be ar range the enti re dis tri ct yet have no denning or
intensive use areas within the area. Brown bear do use the Chuitna River
basin during salmon spawning, but apparently not in heavy concentration.
...
·~
However, an intensive use area for black ·bear exists approximately six ~
miles southwe~t of the Beluga Coal District in T.lON., R.14W.
7-14
High concentrations of moose occur wi thin the Beluga Goal Di strict dy ring
different sea.sons. A major fall/winter concentration occurs in the ... high
brush community in the west central portion near the head of the ChuH:na
(Chuit) River. A winter concentration area lies to the southwest of the
southern border and extends across the Chakachatna. River into the
district. In the northeastern portion of the district, along the coast and
for about four mil es tnl and, a spring/summer/wi nter concentration a rea
extends across the Beluga River fran the Susitna River and River Del ta
a rea.
Coastal areas throughout the Cook Inlet area "support moderate populations
of bald eagles and peregrine falcons."
"Golden eagles and gyrfal cons occupy upland a reas. Great horned owl s?
great grey owl s, and rough-1 egged hawks are sorne characteristic raptors of
the spruce-bi rch forest in the more northern areas of the subregicm.
Other raptors known to breed in this subregi on include goshawks, sharp-
shinned hawks, redtailed hawks, Harlan' s hawks, marsh hawks, osprey,
pigeon hawks, and short-eared owl s."
"Numerous shorebirds, including semipalmated, American golden and
Black-bellied plovers; surf birds; ruddy and black turnstones; common
snipe; whimbrels; spotted, solitary, pectoral, Baird's, least,
semipa1mated,· af\d western sandpipers; wandering tattlers; greater and
lesser yellowlegs; dunl ins; short-billed and long .. billed dowi tc hers;
Hudsonian godwits; sanderlings; and northern phalaropes are known to breed
or occur in the Cook Inlet area." Therefore, it can be assumed that these
species occur within and outside the Belgua Goal District, but field work
is necessary to verify this.
11 0ther bi rds incl ude the black-backed three-toed and northern three-toed
woodpecker, yellow-shafted flickert hairy and downy woodpeckers, gray
jays, ravens, boreal and black-capped chickadees, redpolls, white-winged
crossbill s, water pipits, rosy finches, snow buntings, longs purs, and
savannah spa rrows."
7-15
"In addition. summer migrants include gray-cheeked, Swainson's, hennit,
and varied thrushes; robins; orange-crowned yellow, myrtle and blackpoll
warblers; northern waterthrushes; Bohemian waxwings; bank swallows;
white-crowned and fox sparrows; slate-colored juncos; Say's phoebes; and
al ive-sided and al der or Traill's flycatchers.11
A key, very ·high density area of water fowl occurs in the eastern portion
of the district basically mirroring the Wet Tuhdra plant community
boundaries. The rest of the area is designated as medium density and lies
astride major migration routes.
Along the entire coastline of the Beluga Coal District marine mamiTials such
as the harbor seal, sea otter, sea 1 ion, and beluga whal es are known to
occur or be present. However~ none sèem to inhabi t the a rea regul arly a,s
the upper Cook Inlet is not as attractive for marine mammals as the lower
Cook Inl et.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has not identified any of the
rivers or streams in the Beluga Coal District as being major anadromous
fisheries according to the Alas.ka Regional Profiles, Southcentral Re'Qion ,
study. Yet a memorandum fran a State Fish and Game biologist dated August.
30, 1974 states that:
"The Chuit (Chuitna) River rates rather high as an anadromous
fish spawning, quality fish rearing, and quality recreation
area. The upper Chuit is also a streàm of outstanding natural
aesthetic beauty. · · ·· ·
Every effort should be made ta protect the stream qual ity and
the wilderness setti ng that surrounds i t." ·
' According to a typed manuscript attachment to the memorandum, the Chuitna
'l'
is a clear stream of high productivity producing al1 five species of
salmon pl us rainbow trout~ Dolly V arden, and round white fi sh. A king
salmon run, of decl ining numbers, begins in the fi rst part. of June ending
later .in the same month. The silver salmon run begins in mid-July and fs
believed· to-1ast u,ntil ·November or Oecember. Though red salmon enter ttie 'wl
7-16
.._/ Chuitna system wi th the tides i·n mid-July, few, if any, actually run
upstream. ·. A small pink salmon run octurs in June and July. There have
been reports of dog salmon spawning in mid-August though the biologist s.aw
none llpstrèam~
'"-'
The same source tndicates that the sport fish rainbow trout, Dolly Vardent
. and. round, whitefish .have large populations in the Chuitna system. See
Appendfx 7•8 for t.he actual memorandum and attachments.
The following 1 ists identify the major fauna species that possibly exist
. or occur in the Beluga Coal District. The 1 i sts are arranged accordi ng to
the vegetation c.ommunity where the species are most likely to occur.
Alpine Tundra and Barren Ground Vegetation Community
Mammals
tfoary marmot
Pika
Black bear
Brown-grizzly bear
Wolf
Wol verine
·Coyote
Red fox
Lemmings
Grouhd Squirrel
Birds
Ptannigan
Ra ven
. Golden eagle
Marsh hawk
G.Yrfalcon
Songbirds
Shorebirds
Open country owls
7-17
Marmota cal igata
Ochotna collaris
Ursus americanus
U. arctos
Canis lupus
Gulo gulo
Canis latrans
Vul pes vul pes
Lagopus spp.
Corvus corax
Aqu i 1 a chrysaetos
Circus cyaneus
Falco rusticolus
H1gh Brush Vegetation Canmunity
Mammals
Black bear
Brown-grizzly bear
Moose
Wolf
Wol verine
Snowshoe hare
Coyote
Red fox
Lyrtx
Birds
Ptannigan
Raven
Hawks
Owls
Songsbirds
Ursus americanus
U. arctos
,Alces alces
Canis lupus
Gulo gulo
Lepus americanus
Canis latrans
Vulpes vulpes
Lynx candensis
Lagopus spp.
Corvus corax
Upland Spruce-Hardwood Forest Vegetation Community
Mammal s
Black bear
Brown-grizzly bear
Wolf
Mo ose
Snowshoe hare
Red fox
Lynx
Weasel
Marten
Red squirrel
Flyi ng squ 1 rre 1
~
Ptannigan
Ra ven
Spruce grouse
Ruffed grouse
Woodland owls
Hawks
Songbi rds
7-18
Ursus americanus
U. arctos
Canis lupus
Alces alces
Lepus àmericanus
Vulpes vulpes
Lynx candesis
Mustela enninea
Martes americana
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Glaucomys sabrinus
Lagopus spp.
Corvus corax
Canachites canadensis
Bona sa umbell us
'<J
._,, Low.land Spru.ce-Hardwood Forest Vegetation Community
Mammals
Black be.ar
Brown-grizzly bear
Wolf
Wolverine
Mo ose
Snowshoe hare
Red fox
Lynx
Red Squi rrel
!W!!
Spruce grouse
Ra ven
Hawks
Woodl and owl s
Songbirds
Wet Tundra Vegetation Community
Mammals
Brown grizzly bear
Wolf
Wol verine
Mo ose
Mink
Weasel
Mus kr at
Land Otter
Birds
Swans
Gee se
Oabbling ducks
Diving ducks
Laons
Grebes
Raven
Marsh hawk
Jaegers
Shorebirds
Open country owls
7-19
Ursus americana
U. arctos
Canis lupus
Gulo gulo
Alces alces
Lepus americanus
Vul pes vul pes
Lynx canadensis
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Canachites canadensis
Corvus corax
Ursus arctos
Canis lupus
Gulo gulo
Alces alces
Mustela vison
M. erminea
Ondatra zibethica
Lutra candensis
Cygninae
Anatinae
Anat
Anythyinae
Gav i idae
Podicipedidae
Corvus corax
. Ci reus syaneus
Circus ·cyaneus
Seme of the major animal .species which are likely to .occur in the fresh
water and marine environments of the Beluga Coal District are:
Marine Envi ronment
Bacteria
Dinoflagellates
Eel grass
Protozoa
Jellyfish
Sea anemones
Marine wonns
Ccmb Jell ies
Shrimps
Dungeness crab
King crab
Tanner crab
Other crabs
Other crustaceans
Razor clams
Butter clams
Other clams
weathervane scallop
Chitons
Sea stars
Britt le stars
Sea urchins
Sea cucumbers
Pollock
Pacifie cod
Blackcod
Pacifie herring
Red ( sockeye) sa 1 mon
Silver (coho) salmon
King (chinook) salmon
Chum (dog) salmon
Pink ( tl.lmpback) salmon
Black rockfish
Pac 1 fic ocean pe rch
Eulachon
Seul pins
Flatfishes
Al batràss
Shearwaters and fulmars
Stonn petrels
Swans
Gee se
Surface-feeding qucks
7-20
Schizophyta
Pyrrophyta
Zostera marina
Sarcodina
Scyphozoa
Anthozoa
Polychaeta
Ctenophora
Pandalus and Pandalopsis spp.
Cancer magister
Paralithodes camtschatica
Chionoecetes bairdi
Oecapoda
Copepoda
r.tYs i dacea
Euphausiacea
Isopoda
Amphipoda
Sil iqua pa tula
Saxidomus giganteus
Pelecypoda
Patinopectin caurinus
Amphineura
Asteroidea
Ophiuroidea
Echinoidea
Ho 1 othu roi dea
Theragra chal cogrammus
Gadus macrocephalus
An op 1 opoma fimbr i a
Clupea pallasi
Oncorhynchus nerka
O. ki sutch
O. tshawytscha
O. keta
O. gorbuscha
Sebastes melanops
S. alutus
Thaleichthys pacificus
Catti dae
Pleuronectidae
Diomedeidae
Procellaridae
Hydroba tidae
Cygninae
Anserihae
Anatinae
' ~ \J
·~
~ Sea & diving ducks
Connorants
Murres, murrel ets,
auklets, guillemots
Loons
Pl overs
Sandpipers
Phalaropes
Os prey
Peregrine falcon
Grebes
Mergansers
Jaegers
Gulls & terns
Toothed whales
Bal een wh al es
Northern fur seal
Harbor seal
Steller sea 1 ion
Sea otter
Fresh.Water Environment
Bac te ria
Protozoa
Rotifers
Flatwonns
Aquatic earthworms
Crustaceans
Dragonflies
Stonefl ies
Mayfl ies
Caddiesflies
Water beetles
Midges
Mosquitoes
Snail s
Clams
Burbot
Threespine stickleback
Round whitefish
Humpback whitefish
Rai nbow trou t
Dolly Varden
Red ( sockeye) salmon
Arctic grayl ing
Sculpins
Northern pi ke
Loons
Grebes
Div i ng ducks
7-21
Subfamily Aythyinae
Phalacrocoracidae
Al cidae
Gaviidae
Cha rad ri i nae
Scol opac 1 dae
Phalaropodidae
Pandion haliaetus
Falco peregrinus
Podicepedidae
Maginae
Stercorari idae
Laridae
Odontoceti
Mysticeti
Callorhinus ursinus
Phoca vitulina
Eumetopias jubata
Enhydra lutra
Schizophyta
Mastigophora
Cil i ophora
Rotifera
Turbell aria
Oli gochaeta
Copepoda
Ostracoda
Odon a ta
Plecoptera
Ephemeroptera
Trichoptera
Col eoptera
Chironomidae
Culicidae
Gastropoda
Pelecypoda
Lota lota
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Prosopium cylindracea
Coregonus pidschian
Salmo gairdneri
Salvelinus malma
Oncorhynchus nerka
Thymallus arcticus
Cottidae ·
Esox lucius
Gaviidae
Podicepedidae
Aythyinae
Mergansers
Swans
Gee se
Surface-feedfng ducks
Pl avers
San dpi pers
Phalaropes
Snipe
Os prey
Peregrine falcon
Beaver
Mink
Land otter
Muskrat
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Merginae
Cygninae
Anserinae
Anatinae
Cha rad ri i nae
Scolopacidae
Phalaropodfdae
Capella haliaetus
Pandion hal iaetus ·
Falco peregrinus
Castor canadensis
Mustela vison
Lutra canadensis
Ondatra zibethica
''
'
The development of a natural resource for man's benefit invariably alters
the existing ecostructure. Merely by his presence, man alters the
envi rorment. Sane · natural re source devel opme nt brings about rel ativelv
short term changes as when small deposits of valuable minerals 1 ike ,gold
are removed or when oil or gas fields are developed. The development of
other natur~l resourcest su ch as coal, unfortunately re sul ts in extensive,
1 ong term alterations especially wh en surface remova 1 is the method
~elected for retrieving the resource.
Previous natural resource development, oil and gas and timber, and hunting
~nd fishingt has taken or is taking place in the Beluga coal district.
Human activity, both recreational and permanent residency, occurs
~hroughout the a rea. Therefore, it cannat be sa id that coal devel opment
in the Beluga district will be taking place on untouched wilderness .
. Admittedly, the impact of coal development would be significantly greater
than previous development activity. However, intelligent planning based
Qn canprehensive development plans can mitigate many of the potential
envirormental. problems that may a ri se.
The following environmental impacts text is based solely on the U.S.
Department· of Interior, Final Environnental Impact Statements on tHe
Proposed Federal Coal Leasing Program, 1977. All quotations found will be ~·
fran that doqument.
7-22
......_) EXPLORATION
~~
In the development of any natural resource, several phases of operations
occur and each phase has attendant environmental problems. The first
phase, the initial exploration activity, must be conducted with special
care; for as if no commercially exploitable minerals are discovered, the
envi ronmental damage will have been for nought.
Initial exploration work is frequently undertaken by using off-road
i
vehicles or air travel as a means of transportation. Damage by off-road
vehicles differs according to the type of vehicJe used (tracked or
wheeled), and the locale in which the exploration work takes place. The
actual movement of the vehicle over the site injures or destroys vege-
tation while repeated travel compacts the soil which impedes .water
infiltration, gas exchange, and root growth. When soil is compacted and
the nonnal vegetation is disrupted, water is more likely to flow overl~nd
during a stonn or rain, resulting in erosion. Repeated travel during wet
weather results in ruts which in turn can gully and erode. Concentrated
off-road vehicle use, even during the exploration phase, can disrupt
habitat particularly in wintering, breeding, or birthing areas.
At sorne point during the exploration phase, road construction wilJ.
probably becane necessary. The grading, cutting and fïlling required.
during such operations destroys vegetation, creates eut banks with high
erosion potential, and leaves spoil piles of rejected material. The
grading act ivi ty tends to increase runoff and sedimentation in addition to
concentrating runoff along the road cuts.
The canpaction of soil and the alteration of the existing soil regime
during the road construction will cause the destruction or disruption of,
the soil's biotic mass. The actual road, and its construction, causes an ·.
increase in the dust and debris levels, alters land fonns, can result in
increased mineral solubility thereby polluting local water sources, is
esthe'tically questionable, and can di srupt the local habi tat~use areas and
l
biotic community.
7-23
Explora tory drill ing covers the smallest amount of a rea and resul ts in a
few permanent changes to the existing ecostructure. There is, of course,"
the physical damage to the immediate site along with the attendant
prolongation of disruptive activi ty in the a rea. One major probl en coul d
resul t when drilling takes place. Shoul d the drill hol es penetra te
several aquifiers, leakage between then and contamination could occur .... On
the positive side, a new source of water could result.
The last activity that could take place in the initial exploratory phase
of development, would be the excavati~n and renoval of a quantity of the
resource for testing purposes. The pits created result in a total.
disruption of the immediate area, erosion, possibly the establishment of a
new ecosystem, and could be hazardous and esthetically displeasing if left .,
open.
OPENING THE MINE
The second phase of devel opment, the opening of the mine if commercial
exp loi tati on i s feasibl e, nonnally follows the completion of the initial
exploration phase wi thin a few years. The opening of a surface mine
begins with setting up camp and moving in equipment and subsequent.
stripping or removal of the overburden to open the area to be worked .·
·This results in spoil piles and large storage areas for the topsoil.
Stripping destroys the soil regime, impairs the soi 1 structu.re,. a.nd
disrupts the soil•s biotic community. Strippi~g destroys habitat, creates'
barriers to natural animal movement and .displaces the wildlife that cannat
adjust to the intrusion.
The actual construction of the mine facil ity, (support buildings, bene-. . ' '
ficiation plant, etc.} requires the grading and leveling of large areas
and requires large quantities of building material. Such requirenents.
will: alter the surface water drainage; remove vegetation; rearrange land
fonns; increase erosion; contribute to soil instability, sedimentation,
and water ppll ut ion; des troy plant ccmmuni ti es; di splace wil dl ife; and
severely impact surroundi ng areas. : ;
7-24
'è. Al' v
-/ COAL RECOV.ERY
The actual development and exploitation of a coal deposit are the actions
which cause the most severe envlronmental impacts.
Coal deposi ts that. 1 ie near the surface are most ecQnomically
and safely mined by surface methods.
The operation canpletely el iminates existing . vegetafion,
di srupts soil structure, al ters current land uses, and to sorne
extent changes the gTneral topography of the area being mined.
Surface mining can have impacts on the hydrology of all
provi nees. Deterioration of stream qual i ty can re sul t from
acid mine drainage, trace elements in mine drainage water,
high dissolved solids content of mine drainage water, and
increased sediment loads. In addition, waste piles and coal
storage piles can yi el d sediment to streams, and leached water
fran the piles can be acid and contain trace elements.
Surface mining may also have impacts on ground water supplies.
These include: (1) drainage of usable water from shallow
aqui fers, (2) lowe ring of water level s in adjacent a reas and
changes in flow di rections within aquifers, {3) contamina ti on
of usable aquifers below the mining operation due to downward
leakage of poor spoil piles. Where all the coal is removed
cjuring su rf ace mining operations, and 1 i tt le or no
carbonaceous shale is present in the spoil, increased
infiltration may result in: (1) diminished runoff and erosion
fran spoil piles, (2) recharge of good qual i ty water to the
shallow ground-water aquifers, and (3) increased baseflow to
nearby streams. · · ·
Extreme flood events can cause severe damage to improperly
· constructed or located roads, plant facil ities, waste and coal·
storage piles, settl ing basin dams, surface~water diversion
structures, and the mine itself. Besides the danger to li'fe
and property, large amounts of sediment and poor qua li ty water
could have detrimental effects many miles downstream fran the
mine site.· ·
Removal of soil fran the area to be surface mined destroys the
natural soil characteristics by pulverization of the
structure, disruption of the organic matter cycle, and by
compaction. The micro-organism population and. nutrient
cycling process are upset by movement and redistribution of
the soil. The general disturbance and compaction of the soi,l
results in conditions that are conducive to the erosion.
7-25
The impact on wildlife stems primarily from disturbing,
removing and redistributing the land surface. Some of the
impacts are short tenn and confined to the mine site, others
have farreaching, long-tenn effects. The direct effect on
wildlife is the destruction or displacement of all species·in
the areas of excavation and spoil piling. The more mobile
wi 1 dli fe fonns li ke game anima 1 s, bi rds, and preda tors, etc.
will leave these a reas. The more sedentary animals 1 i ke
invertebrates, burrowing redents. . .etc. may be directly
destroyed. If streams, .lakes, ponds, or marshes are fil led or·
drained, fish, acquatic invertebrates, amphibians, etc. will
be destroyed. Animal populations displaced from populations
in the surrounding ranges provided the habitat are eventually
restored. An exception could be the loss of an endangered
species.
Broad and long-lasting impacts on wildlife are caused by
habitat impainnent. The life requirements of many anima~l
species do not penni t them to ad just to changes created by
land disturbance. This is impairment of the habitat componE!flt
called living space. The degree to which a species or an
ind ividual animal will tolera te man• s competition for spa ce
va ries.
Big game and other animals displaced from their home ranges.
may be· forced ta use adjacent areas already stocked ,to
carryi ng capa city. This overcrowdi ng usually re su lts . in
degradation of the remaining habitat, 1owered carryi.ng.
capacity, reduced reproductive success, interspecific · and
intraspecific strife, and potentia11y greater lasses to the
population than the origfnally displaced animals.
Overburden remo val if improperly done, causes 1 oss of topsoif,
exposes parent ma teri al and crea tes vast wastel ands. Pit and
spoil a reas are not capable of providing food and. caver for
most fonns of wildlife. Without rehabilition, these areas
must go through a weathering period which may take a few yea.rs·
or many decades before it becanes suitable habitat. .'
Degradation of aquatic habitats has been a major impact from·
surface mining. It may be apparent to sorne degree many miles
fran the mining site. Silt and sediment pollution is common
wi th surface mining. The effects of sil t and sediment on
aquatic wildlife vary with the species and amount of
pollution. These pollutants can ki11 fish directly, bury
spawning beds for important species like trout and salmon;
reduce production of aquatic organisms, reduce light
transmission, alter temperature gradients, fill in pools, and·
spread "flows, etc. These changes destroy the habitat of sorne
species and sometimes enhance the habitat for undesirable
spe'cies. , ·,
"""""
7-26
---.,. _,..· Existing conditions are al ready marginal for sorne of the
coldwater game fish ·and anadramous species. Sedimentation of
these waters can result in their elimination. The heaviest
silt and sediment pollution of a given drainage normally cornes
within 5 to 25 years after mining.
The presence of taxie waste material s, exposed as a result of
surface mining, can affect wildlife by eliminating habitat,
and by caus ing di reet concentrations, can suppress
productivi ty, growth rate, and reproduction of many aquatic
species. Ac ids, dilute concentrations of heavy metal s, and
high alka1inity can cause severe wildlife damage in sorne
a reas.
In certain situations, surface mining can have beneficial
impacts on sorne wildlife. Where large, continuous tracts of
forest, bus h-l and. . .or grassl ands are broken up during
miriing, increased edges and opening are created. Preferred
food and cover plants can be established in these openings to
benefit a wide variety of wildlife. Under certain conditions,
creation of small lakes in the strip area can also be
benefici al. These waters may' become important water sources
for a variety of wildlife inhabiting adjacent areas. Many
lakes are initially poor quality as aquatic habitat after
mining.
The su rf ace mi ning opera ti on and coal transportation
facilities are fully dedicated to coal production for the life
of the mine. Exi sting land uses such as grazing and crop and
timber production are temporarily el iminated fran the mining
area until rehabilitation processes have been completed. High
value, intensive land use areas like urban and transportation
systems are not nonnally affected by mining operations. If
mineral values are sufficient, these improvements may be
removed and replaced in an adjacent area.
Surface-mining operations have resulted in creating highwalls
as high as 200 feet. Such highwalls may result at tl')e end of
a surface mining operation where stripping becomes uneconomic
or where a mine reaches the property line that is the extent
of a current lease or holdings. These highwalls are hazards
to man, wildlife, and domestic livestock. They may impede
nonnal wildlife migration routes.
The impact and final shape of highwalls is similar to that of
h ighway cuts. They can be des igned to be esthetically
. pleasing, or they could be dangerous and fonn barriers. The
impact of the manmade slope will vary with the natural terrain
and surrounding of the area.
7-27
Coal min ing may affect the devel opme nt of other mineral s in
the sarne site. There may be surface sand and gravel depositsl
benetonite beds, canmingled uranium, or oil shale depos.i'h
affected by co al development. Occas ional shall ow gas or
petroleum reservoirs coul d al so be affected by di srupting weak
bedding planes or fault zones associated with the reservoirs.
Natural fires have occurred in coalbeds underground. When
coalbeds are -exposed, the fire hazards is increased.
Weathered coal (smut) can al so increase the ground
temperatures if it is left on the surface. Almost all fires
in sol1d coal are caused by man, 1 ightning, and forest or
prairie fires.
The impact of surface mining on geological features of human
interest could exist in the strip-mine area. Geomorphic and
geophysical features and outstanding scenic resources could be
sacrificed · by indiscriminate issuance of a lease and
subsequent mining. Paleontological values might be endangered
due to the disru~tive activities of blasting, ripping,
excavating, etc.
Stripping of overburden will eliminate and destroy all
arch el ogical and hi storic features unless removed beforehand
and carefully documented.
The extraction of coal by surface mining dist"upts virtually
all esthetic elements of the landscape to most of the
population although in sorne cases only temporàrily. The
alteration of landfonns impose conflicting configurations.
New linear patterns appear as the material is extracted and
waste piles are developed. Oust, vibration, and odars are
created, affecting sight, sound, and smell. The grand scale
of the operation impacts s ignificantly on the qual ity of the
envi ronment.
COAL BENEFICIATION:
The process of coal beneficiation involves the instal'lation of
plant facilities to upgrade coal quality by separating out the
low-quality material. The process canuse either air or water
for separation. Waste mate ri al is di sposed in the immediate'
vicinity of where it is produced. Under sorne conditions, the
quantity of waste material is significant.
Separation processes produce waste. ma teri al that contains
carbon, trace elements, sul phur, and other mate ri al. Unless
special disposal precautions ~are taken, this material can
become dus t, adversely affecting all types of flora and fauna
in the fallout area. The waste pile may also be subject to
erosion and leaching. Adjacent land and dra ina ge a reas coul d
becfllle polluted by contaminants produced in the beneficiatio11
propess unless precautions are taken. '
7-28
-
\\. . . .·.
" ~ When water-separation process i s employed, a sl urry
impoun nt is used for storage of the fine waste material ~nd
recycl or evaporation of the water. The slurry matena1 m~y contal1. .conc~.ntrat.ions of dissolved sol ids, .heavy m~tals,
or other ntam1nants that eould be leached 1nto adJacent
drainages .. o . underlying aquifers and lower water quality.
Storagé rese 'oirs such as this are subject to breaching or
overf11ling by floods if improperly des igned. Contaminated
ma teri al would then be carriéd to streams and drainages,
adversely affecting the 1 and and water resources.
The fine sl urry ma teri al in the pond area must be wetted or
covered at all times, or it will be subject to becoming
airborne under windy candi tign.s. For this reason, abandoned
pond disposal areas must be covered and revegetated to prevent
wind and water erosion.
Disposal of waste material frcm coal beneficiation is
important to wildlife because. these materials could cause
· chemical and sediment pollution of terrestrial and aquatic
wildlife habitats. Use of water in the cleaning process may
cause excessive water demands that could lower water tables
and dry up small lakes, ponds, or small streams if the wate.r
canes fran local sources. In.__ ar id a reas, all water sources
may be cri ti cal to wil dl ife. · Loss of thes.e sources wo.uld
destroy aquatic species and many land species.
Unless waste is returned underground or to the strip pi ts, it ·
could have long-tenn a,dvers.e · impact. If deposits are
indiscriminately dumpéd on slopes they tend to be unstable. ,
Landsl ides may occur wh ich woul d be a hazard to anything ·in
the immediate a rea of the sl ide. Fires are a probl en in the
waste di sposal a rea, contributi ng smoke to the abnosphere and
adversely affecting air qual i ty. ·
COAL MARKETING:
Coal marketing may inval ve transporting coal for relatively
short dis tances to mi ne-mou th power fac i lit i es by rai 1 road,
truck, or conveyor systems or long-haul transportation. All
types of transportation systems, even cars, .produce noise and
a ir pollution and crea te safety haiards. Coal dus t can be
released frcm the moving carriers and accumulate along the
transportation route. Unless trucks travel on paved or wetted ·
road surfaces, dust is stfrred up. Air and land pollution is
esthetically displeasing a~d can adversely affect surrounding
vegetation, wildlife, and human activity and noise along
roadways or rail raad tracks can drive sorne wil dli fe species
out of the area. Roads and railroads commonly cause high
di reet animal mortal i ty and right-of-way fencing can hinder
big•game migration especially if the fences are net wire.
7-29
Energy for transportation is usually provided by diesel fuel
used in trUcks and locomotives. The engine emissions
contribute to air pollution and produce considerable noise.
COAL-FIRED, MINE..,MOUTH, ELECTRICTY-GENERATING PLANTS:
Secondary impacts include the potentia.l coa]-fired, .
mine~mouth, electrici ty-generating plants that coul d be bu il t
if · coa1 resources are leased and the overall social ànd ·
economie impacts that èan be expected from all aspects of coal
development and util ization. In tenns of significance, these
· .impacts will· ~e among the . more s igni fi ca nt resulting from
devëlopment of coal resource.
The environmental impacts from coal-fired, power-generating
stations have been identifi ed in numero.us envi ronmental impact
statenents on specifie plant proposals. Sorne of the potential
impacts fran this type of development include:
Emission of particl)lates that will reduce visibility under
certain atmospheric conditions. Impacts could be minor or
relatively intensive dependi ng on the lev el of devel opment.
Emissions of .concentration of so 2 that could be hazardous ,to
plant and animal heal th. · · ..
Emissions of oxides of ni trogen which if they reaèh the ozone
layer in the stratosphere can. reduce its effect of shielding
humans from ultra-viol et light which causes· ski n cancer
{Johnson, 1973}.
Emissions of vapor fran wa ter cool ing towers and ponds,
creating visual polution and impacting on esthetics.
Emissions of trace mineral elements including mercury, lead,
cadmium, fluorine, boron and manganese.
consumption of vast amounts of watef resources, sorne of whiçh
will occur in regions where supplies are 1 imited. This action
will cause widespread loss and deterioration of aquatic
wildlife habitats. The consumed water will also be denied to
other possible benefici al us ers.
Change to intensive land use of significant acreages now in
natural . cond,i ti on, affe<:ting open spa ce and other esthetic
values.
Construction of new power transmission 1 ines over extrenè
distances to power marketing centers. New corridors will be
requ i red .that wi 11 1ntroduce power 1 ines to new a reas and
adv~rsely impact on current land uses and the landscape in'
gen~ral.
7-30
_,
\'-/
Increased human concentration and activi ty in the plant a rea
and in the general region that will cause competition between
man and wildlife for food, caver, water, and living space at
many levels.
Thennal pollution ta streams, rivers, and lakes that wiil
affe·ct .aquatic habitat and result in changes in species
canposition. The effects can be negative or positive
depending on the animals involved and one's point of view.
Construction of new reservoirs and water conveyance facilities
that will el iminate existing land uses, but crea te beneficial
water facilities.
Two a reas near the Beluga Coal Fields wi 11 be of special . cancer_~-in
evaluating the air emissions of a coal-fired, electricity-generating
plant. To the south of the cpal fields is the Tuxedni National Wildlife
Refuge, classified with strict air quality standards (Class 1 Air Quality
Area). · A coal-fired generator 1 could also contribute ta NO and SO levels . x x '
in Anchorage. ·
RECOMMENDATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
RESTRICTEO OR PROHIBITEO DEVELOPMENT AREAS
Areas in the Beluga Coal District should be avoided for intensive devel-
opment if negative environmental impacts clearly outweigh the benefits ..
The most obvious places where activi ty shoul d be restricted and where
devel opment should be prohibi ted can readily be identifi ed. F!Jture
studies may be needed ta define less apparent areas where development
shou~d be avoided.
Recanmendations
Within the boundaries of the Bel gua District, there are two areas in which
development activity should be restricted. The first, located in T.l3N.,
R.9 & lOW. and T .12N., RlOW., S. M. or the northeastern and eastern portion
of the district, is a key· waterfowl area. This area, ~orresponding
roughly · to the wet tundra vegetation community and bog areas along the
Susitna River deltas and the c:oast, is a portion of the Susitna Flats Game
7-31
...,,J·
Refuge. At present, activity is underway in this area with the 230-MW
Beluga power plant and its .transmission ltnes. Numerous. gas wells dot tht:!
area. It is unknown what effect this gas development and activity has had
on the area. However, intensive use, such as for a townsite., docking
facilities, major highway or railroad development could.reduce suitability
or the area for waterfowl.
The second area in which use should be restri.cted is the fall/winter
browse area for moose in the west central portion of the district; T.l3N.,
R.13 & 14W., S.M. This is basically the extent of the high brush
veget~tion community which provides excellent browse for the moose
population. Through it covers only about 36 ·square miles, the arèa i~
quite important to the local moose population for wintering purposes~ As
wintering areas determine the survival rate for the moose, browsing areas
should be protected. In addition to this area there are two other browse
a reas for moose. One area corresponds ta the high densi ty waterfowl a rea
and the other lies in the extreme southwestern corner of the district and
is part of a still larger browse area immediately outside the district
bounda ri es.
EXISTING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Natural resource development is already underway in the Beluga Coal
District. Oïl and gas wells dot the coastal area. Logging operations by
Kodi ak Lumber mill s and Tyonek Timher · Compa.ny to remove , th~/
beetle~infested stands of Sitka and white spruce in the western part of
the district have been in operation for several years. Chugach Electric
Association (CEA), the rural electric utility serving the Cook Inlet,
built a 230-MW gas fired power plant and has constructed several trans;.
·mission lines in the area.
produced in the district.
The power pl a nt ma.kes use of the natural gas
Dock facilities for the logging operations are
in place as are several private airstrips. A network of roads also,
exists in the southcentral portion of the district.
7-32
f~!
-" Recommendations
·,···i'
Since the Beluga coal field region will continue to develop, i.t is
. recommended that a long-range, comprehensive development plan be created
to assure the intelligent land use of the district. Further, it is
recommended that high activity projects be restricted to industrial parks.
Development plans should be integrated among all resource development
projects. Such planning is necessary to minimize the industrial impact on
the ecosystem.
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT SITES
Pennanent settlements in Alaska tradi tionally have been located along the
coas tl ines. In land they have been on major rivers and lakes. The
waterways provided natural transportation routes, a source of food and.
commerce for the residents. Through experience it was di scovered that
· these sites offered a milder c11mate than non-water related sites .and
gravel deposits were usually nearby on which to bu1ld the town.
Recommendations
Coastal lands northest of the Moquawkie Indian Reservation do not· appear
sui table for indus tri al or residenti al set tl ement. According to general-'
ized soil maps of this district, the soils are unsuitable for building
purposes and special designs for roads would be necessary to ensure that
ground water infiltration and lateral movement of water through the soil
is channeled into the marshes and bogs of the Susitna Flats Game Refuge~·
Several shore fisheries cover portions of the coastal zone in this area~
and increased human activity might be detrimental. Additionally, large
areas of standing water would create an insect problem (primarily
mosquitoes) uncomfortable for humans.
After a prel iminary examination of the Beluga Goal Di strict, it appears
that a prime location for a support community for coal operations could be
located somewhere in T.llN., R.12W., S.M. or in the southern portion of~
the district to the west of the former Indian Reservation. This area is
7-33
also one of the potential sites of the dock facilities required for the
coal operations. This area is served by existing roads and is alrtéady
being worked for lqgging purposes. It al so contains La~e Congahbur~a, a
potential power generation plant site as identified by Belu.ga. Coal Company
and has easy access to the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. transportation corri<for
and the potential coal mining sites.
Additionally, the upland portion of the township has soil .suitable for
bu il ding as well as for agriculture, horticulture, or si 1 vi cul ture~ The
land is close to the Cook Inl et which modera tes the. cl imate providing
relatively mild winter conditions. The forested area provides excellent
recreational possibilities.
CHUITNA RIVER FISHERY AND SCENIC VALUES
The Chuitna River runs directly through the middle of the Chuitna coal
field and heads in the area just south and east of the· Capps Glacier
field. On one of its waterfalls a coal outcrop is visible. Of all the
waterways in the District, the Chuitna will be the one most effected by
the development of the coal field.
Recommandations
To protect the Chuitna from irrevocable damage, certain protective
measures must be ta ken: devel opment activities would have to be re ..
stricted for a reasonable di stance along both banks of the Chui tn·a to
prevent s i.1 tati on, erosion, and damage to fi shery and recrea ti on al
possibi1 ities. Along the headwaters in the uplands, care must be taken to ·
ensure that water courses are not altered, ground water sources are not
interrupted, and that pollutants (dust, soluble minerals, waste material ~·
etc.) are not introduced into the system.
7 .. 34
•'·r.
REGENERATION OF VEGETATION
Reclamation of the land di sturbed should not pose much of a problem given
the nature of the vegetation,of the area, relatively moderate cl imate, and
the high rainfall. These and other factors should insure rapid
regeneration of the plant ccmmunities, particularly in the lower · and
mid-el eva ti ons.
Rec ommen dations
One area of possible concern is the Alpine Tundra system. Due to the
nature of the plants that comprise this community, regeneration is
extremely slow. Damage. in this area (T.14N., R.14W., S.M.) will be slow in
hea'ling and during that process, exotic flora may accidentally be
introduced.
Care must be exercised when revegetation plans are put into effect to
ensure that exotic species are not accidentally introduced into' the
existing vegetation ccmmunities. An exception might be the case of
agricul tural or s il vi cultural introduction of exotic flora on recla imed
areas. Since vegetation is to be based on local species, a seed source
must be located or devel oped. · Wi th s il vi cul ture, practice selection .of
the best variety of a species will be necessàry.
LAND RECLAMATION
The word "reclamation11 does not necessarily mean the return of the land
distùrbed to its exact, orginal condition. At times, such as with the
surface mining of coal, it is not possible to do so. At other times such
action may not be desirable. If a better use of the land can be
detennined, such as for agriculture, silviculture, browse for moose or
grazing land, the land reclamation should take the necessary direction to
acccmplish the desired, final goal.
7-35
RecOOimendations
Important to the development of the Beluga Coal Fields is the planning,
establishment, and implementation of a long range, comprehensive, recla.;;.
ma ti on program for the di strict. The en ti re devel opment of the coàl
fields should plan for the day the coal fields are exhausted or econo-
mically impractical to work. The final, desired state of the land will
help determine the method of development used for the fields. The . .
reclamation of the .land disturbed should not be seen as the last phase of
the devel opment project, but rather as the end re sul t of the entire
project.
7-36
v
: j
\.~
-/
~~-
'"' 1
APPENDIX 7-A
BELUGA VEGETATION
Following is a list of vegetation which is likely to occur in
the Beluga Coal District.
Black Spruce
White Spruce
Sitka Spruce (rar~)
Mountain Hemlock {rare)
Canmon Juni per
Balsam Poplar
Black Cottonwood
Quaking Aspen
Netleaf Willows
Least Will ow
Arctic Willow
Alaska Bog Willow
Ovalleaf Wi11ow (rare)
Sprouting Willow (rare)
Grayleaf Willow
Barren-ground Willow
Barclay Willow
Undergreen Willow
Richardson Willow
Feltleaf Willow
Bebb W1llow
Di amand Lea'f Will ow
Scouler Willow
Sitka Willow
Li ttl etree Will ow
Pacifie Willow
Sweetgale
Dwarf Arctic Birch
Resin Birch
Alaska Paper Birch
Kenai Birch
American Green Alder
Sitka Alder
Thinleaf Alder
Swamp Goose berry
Northern Black Curra nt
Skunk Currant
Trailing Black Currant
American Red Currant
Picia mariana
P. ga luca
P. sitchensis
Tsuga mertensiana
Juniperus commurtis
Populus balsamifera
P. trichecarpa
P. themulaides
Sal ix utl iculate
S. rotundifolia
S. arcticia
S. fuscescens
S. av a 1 i fo 1 i a
s. stolenifer
S. glauca
S. brachycarpa ssp. niphoclade
S. barclaiy
S. commutata
S. lanata ssp. richardonii
S. alaxensus
S. babbiana
S. planifolia ssp pulchra
S. scoul eriana
Salix sitchensis
S. arbusculaides
S. lasiandra
Myrice gale
Betula nana
B. glandulosa
B. papyrifira var humilis
B. papyrifira var kenaica
Alnus eriopa
A. sinuata
A. teniufol ia
Ribes 1 ac us tre
R. hudsonianum
R. glandulosum
R. 1 axufl arum
R. thistle
/
SOURCE: USDA Forest Service, ALASKA TREES AND SHRUBS, by Viereck and
Little, Agriculture Handbook No. 410, 1972.
7-37
APPfNDIX 7-B
CHUIT RIVER SPORT FISH
(Fran State. pennit application by Stanley W. Kubik, CPP 74+"65, Chuitna
River, April 221, 1976.)
The Chuit River is a clear stream of high productivity. It produces all
rive species of salmon, plus rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and round
whitefish. It is becoming of increasing importance to the fly-in sport
fishennen from Anchorage; there are. fran five to twel ve airplanes there on
weekends, .and on~e or two planes per day du ring the week fr(Jil June to
Septanber.
The sport catch is aimed at k~ng salmon and silver salmon, although a few
people will take rainbows only. Dolly V~rden and pink salmon are taken in
conjunction wi th king salmon and sil ver salmon fi shing. 11 Jack salmonn as
called by the sportsmen, are mainly pinks.
A falls of about six feet is iocated two miles above the North boündary of
the reservation. This falls is an exposed seam of coal. It could give
trouble in the future, but at the present: time, fish are able to jump· .the
falls.
we coul d fi nd no downstream migrants.
There is a lake with a small outlet creek near the mouth of the river
which is reported to have once had a red salmon run. The creek fans out
in a swamp, making it impassable to fish now.
King Salmon
The run cornes in during the first part of June with a few moving in until
the last of J4ne. The size range is 12 to 30 lbs. They are reddish in
( r
color, not brfght, when ent,ring. The run has been declining in numbers ~
of f1sh.
7-38
-'' Measurements -Creel Census Fish -25 June:
F 30~
F 30~
F 32
F 32~
Silver Salmon
The silver salmon run starts. in mid .. Ju1y, and is believed to exterid to
November or December. The run appears to be in good shape.
The first fish are of a sma11er race than the later run fish.
15 July
M 17~
M 18
M 18-3/4
Measu rements
17-18 July
M 15~
M 16~
M 17
F 18-3/4
M 22~
M 23
Red Salmon
17 August
M 10~
M 17-3/4
M 17-3/4
M 20~
M 23~
Many red salmon enter the system with the tide, but few run upstream.
Those that do, go up the fi rst major creek on the north si de. The run
occurs from mid-July to mid-August.
' 25 June
M 19
Measurements
17 Ju1y
M 13
M 14-3/4
F 19-3/4
M 20~
M 21~
M 22~
M 22-3/4
F 22-3/4
M 22-3/4
M 23
7-39
17 August
M 13--repeat catch
. from Ju1y 17
M 14~
· Pink Salmon
The run occurs in June and July, with spawned-out fish still al ive in
mid-August. This run was small, probably about 300 fish this year. The:'
sport fishermen call them· "jack" or "jack king" salmon, and they appeared
to make up about 20 percent of the total salmon take.
25 June
M 12~
M 12l:i
M 12~
11 12-3/4
M 15
M 15
M 16
M 16-'4
Measu rements
17 July
M 15
F 17-3/4
M 18
M 18-'4
F 18~
F 19~
M 19-3/4
F 20~
Rainbow Trout
17 August
M 16~
M 17~
M 19-'4
There is a good population of rainbow trout in the river. Early rainbows
up to 18 11 TL were · reported cornmon in the lower river. The re appear to be
no sea run fish in this system'.
25 June
6
7-'4
7N;.
7-3/4
25, June
8
8~
9-3/4
15-3/4
Me a su reme n ts
15 -18
6..;3/4
7
7
7~
15 18
7~
7~
7~
7-3/4
Dog Salmon
July
7-3/4
7-3/4
8~
8~
July
9-3/4
10
10-'4
10;,.3/4
11-3/4
Very few dog' salmon spawn in this system. We saw none upstream, bu~ ·~
caught a few in the mouth• and had a reli~ble report of them spawning.
7-40
The number was probably less than 25 spawners this year as of mid-August.
Measu rements
17 July
M 23-3/4
Dolly Va rd en
There is a very large run of small sized sea run fish, which enter in
July.
Measu rements
15 -18 July 17 August
Length: Freq. Length: Freq. Length: Freq. Length gn 3 11" 2 12-3/4" 3 9...;3/4"
9-1/2 11 2 11-1/4 11 1 13 11 5 10-3/411
9-3/4" 3 11-1/2" 2 13-1/411 3 11-3/411
1 11-3/411 1 13-1/2" 2
10" 1 12" 5 13-3/4" 4
10-1/4" 1 12-1/4 11 2 14" 2
10;..1/2" 1 12-1/2 11 1 14-3/4" 1
10-3/4 11 3
Round Whitefish
The round whitefish run late in the Fall, September..;October. The ones we
caught were taken in the intertidal area in the creek.
Measu renents
25 June
F 10-1/2"
F 11"
7-41
Freq.
1
1
1
...
APPENDIX 7-C
SUMMARY OF NATIONAL AIR STANDARDS
Pollutant Time of Average Pri111ary StÈ_nci_a_r:cJ-/
-1
., Seconda ry Stand_a_r_<f-/
Particulate matter Annual {Geometrie Mean) 75 mg 60 mg 1 24 hour 260 mg?:./ 150 nv.:,r-1
so Annual (Ari thmetic Mean) 80 mg (0.03ppm)2 {mêasured as so 2) 24 hour 365 mg (0.14ppm)!=-/
1300 mg (0.5ppm)2! 3 hour
10 m~-(9ppm).?..~ co 8 hour Same as Prima ry
1 hour -40 mg (35ppm)-/ Same as Prima ry
Hydrocarbons 3 hour 160 mg (0.24ppm)2 / Same as Primary
(nonmethane measured as CH 4 ) (6 to 9 a.m.}
NO Annual (Arithmetic Mean) lOO mg (0.05ppm) Same as Primary
-....! ox1dants 1 hour 160 mg (0.08ppm).?../ Same as Primary t
~ {measured as o3 ) N
1/ Concentration ·in weight per cubic meter (corrected to 25°C and 760 mm of Hg) y Concentration not to be exceeded more than once per year
Source: El Paso Alaska Co. Application to FPC for Alaska Gas Pipeline.