HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 1999-60CITY OF KENAI
ILV.~OLUTION NO. 99-60
Suggested by:
Mayor Williams
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL GAS RESOURCES IN THE WOLF LAKE AREA OF THE KENAI
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.
WHEREAS, the exploration and production of oil and gas natural resources has provided the
economic foundation of Alaska, and specifically the Kenai Peninsula; and,
WHEREAS, the exploration and production of oil and gas on the Kenai Peninsula has provided
an environmentally preferred fuel for heating and power generation in South Central Alaska for
more than 30 years; and,
WHEREAS, Marathon Oil Company has been involved in exploration and production of oil and
gas in Alaska for nearly 50 years and is recognized as a prudent operator throughout the world
with their primary focus on the safety of personnel and protection of the environment; and,
WHEREAS, Marathon Oil Company has operated the Beaver Creek Field within the Kenai
National Wildlife Refuge since 1972 without significant impact to the environment and has
worked closely with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to protect the Refuge; and,
WHEREAS, commercial quantities of natural gas have been found in the Wolf Lake Area, within
the Refuge and Marathon Oil Company has been selected by the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. to
explore and develop their natural resources in the Wolf Lake Area, in accordance with the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; and,
WHEREAS, the surface impacts required for development of the natural gas resources in the
Wolf Lake area (including well pads, pipeline and access road) will be less than 50 acres or
0.0026% of the Refuge's total acreage of 1,950,000 acres and Marathon Oil Company has
worked closely with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to identify the best route for a pipeline to
mitigate impact to the environment and wildlife.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, to
support
Section 1: Continued development of the natural resources within the Kenai Wildlife
Refuge, and specifically the Wolf Lake Area where the mineral interests are owned by the Cook
Inlet Region, Inc. as outlined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; and,
Section 2: The building of a natural gas pipeline, tying the Wolf Lake Development into the
current pipeline system at the Beaver Creek Field will allow the natural gas to be marketed and
will provide jobs in the Kenai Peninsula area, with minimal impact to the Refuge. As a part of
the evaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement, these economic considerations should
be considered in addition to the impacts to surface acreage and wildlife.
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas,'City Clerk
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this thirc~day
of
November,
1999.
~n~--P~~' MayOr''