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Senate endorses Kensington Mine, but not Juneau Road
Story last updated at 4/17/2009 – 11:52 am
By PAT FORGEY | JUNEAU EMPIRE

JUNEAU – The Alaska Senate today decided not to endorse the controversial Juneau Road, but went ahead with an endorsement of the more widely supported Kensington Mine. Sen. Lisel McGuire, R-Anchorage, sponsored Senate Resolution 8, calling on Gov. Sarah Palin to ensure the many permits for the mine, owned by parent company Coeur D’Alene based in Idaho, remain active.

McGuire sponsored the resolution because the Juneau Senate seat is currently vacant.

The mine is currently awaiting a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on its waste disposal permit, which was earlier overturned by the Ninth Court of Appeals.

“We’re urging the governor to immediately implement those permits, should the Supreme Court rule in favor of Coeur and the Kensington Mine,” McGuire said.

Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage, said completion of an access road up the east side of Lynn Canal would provide an economic benefit to the mine.

The road’s permits were overturned by the court after its Environmental Impact Statement was found to be inadequate for failing to consider additional ferry service instead of a road.

McGuire said she supported the road, but it was a different, and controversial, issue.

“It’s a wholly separate creature,” she said. “The resolution as it stands right now is clean, and has solid support.”

An amendment to add support for the road failed, with only Sens. Bunde, Gene Therriault, R-Anchorage, and Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai, voting in favor. All other senators opposed it.

The resolution supporting the mine passed unanimously. The House of Representatives passed a similar resolution Thursday.

Contact reporter Pat Forgey at 586-4816 or patrick.forgey@juneauempire.com.

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