Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703

Submitted via [email protected]

Re: POA-2013-00286

 Dear Mr. Mazer: 

The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to comment in support of Peak Gold’s application for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) 404 Wetlands Permit for the Manh Choh gold project. 

RDC is a statewide trade association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s fishing, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.

The Project submitted a robust application to the Corps which included results of many complex studies proactively conducted in 2021 such as a noise impact analysis, cultural, archaeological and socio-economic modeling, project visibility study, wildlife impact study and subsistence study. The plan they developed is economically and environmentally responsible. It minimizes the project’s footprint by hauling ore to Fort Knox for processing, avoiding the need for a mill, cyanide application or tailings storage facility. It utilizes existing infrastructure, primarily the highway system and the underutilized mill at Fort Knox. It will create millions of dollars of economic activity in an area with an extremely limited economy and few jobs. It will create an estimated 400 - 600 jobs during operation with an average paycheck of $130,000.

This project will leave a lasting legacy for area residents which includes more affordable electricity, better cell coverage and enhanced roads. The project does all this without having a lasting impact on the environment. This project is exactly what is needed to get Alaska and our nation back on the path of economic recovery. 

RDC urges the Corps to approve this permit application and allow this project to move forward. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.