PO Box 1368, Cordova, Alaska 99574
Phone: 1-907-424-5701
www.pwsoundkeeper.org
emailpwsk@pwsoundkeeper.org
Tax id # 45-0538213
Board of Directors
Kate McLaughlin
President
Chenega Bay
Dean Rand
Vice-President
Whittier
Liz Senear
Treasurer
Cordova
Vince Kelly
Secretary
Valdez
Joe Banta
Member
Anchorage
August 8, 2013
Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20250
Re: The Alaska Bering River Coal Conservation Opportunity
Dear Secretary Vilsack;
Prince William Soundkeeper (PWSK) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization located in
southcentral Alaska, and within the heart of the Chugach National Forest. Our mission: Grass
roots advocacy for preserving water quality in Prince William Sound, Alaska for all users.
The Copper, Bering and Martin River watersheds are integral to preserving the biologically
rich ecosystem of the Copper River Delta and Prince William Sound, an area that contains
world class commercial and recreational fishing and hunting, one of the most important
migratory bird stopovers on the western Pacific flyway, and is a Mecca for tourists around the
globe.
The impacts of climate change are being felt in Alaska much more quickly than the rest of the
country with permafrost melt, loss of sea ice, extreme weather events, and rapid ecosystem
shifts. Prince William Sound, the location of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, is still
recovering from that environmental disaster almost 30 years later. The PWS commercial
herring fishery, once the pride of the country, never recovered, many argue this is due to
lingering oil. Coal extraction is an aging and outdated industry. It makes little economic
sense to the exploit the extraction of this resource in light of the long-term, negative impacts
which coal contributes to so significantly. Surely this unique, irreplaceable ecosystem which
supports the sustainable economies of so many within and without Alaska is worth more than
just the current price of bituminous coal?
Prince William Soundkeeper supports industries that contribute to clean water and healthy
fisheries in order to build healthy communities. Developing the Bering River coal fields
would be disastrous to this goal. By forever preserving the Bering River coalfields from
development, we ensure a lasting legacy of sustainable, renewable resources that benefits all.
PWSK supports this opportunity to retire the Bering River coalfields for perpetuity with this
historic conservation purchase.
Thank you for your support and consideration.
Kate McLaughlin, President & Executive Director
Designated Member
cc: Eyak Preservation Council
Pinchot Institute