MINING NEWS: Groups to honor responsible development

Shane Lasley

Mining News

The Alaska Conservation Alliance and the Resource Development Council of Alaska Inc. have come together to recognize organizations, individuals, and/or businesses that have achieved high standards in environmental stewardship as well as economic development.

Pat Pourchot, president of Alaska Conservation Voters, and John Shively, president of the Resource Development Council announced the launch of the “Tileston Award” Jan. 17 in Anchorage.

The award was named in honor of Peg and Jules Tileston, two longtime Alaskans who have dedicated their professional careers to working on seemingly different sides of the issues when it came to conservation and development.

The Tilestons, who have been married for 54 years, moved to Alaska in 1972.

Peg is a co-founder of the Alaska Center for the Environment, a longtime board member of the Alaska Conservation Foundation, and currently a member of the Alaska Conservation Voters Board.

Jules, on the other hand, worked for the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management. He also served as deputy state director for land and resources, and director of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining and Water. In addition, he has worked as a private consultant for several mining projects.

One thing the Tilestons say they have always agreed on: “If it is in Alaska, it must be done right!”

Recipients of the annual award will be judged on the following criteria:

Crafting a solution to a resource management or development issue seen as a win by both the development and conservation community;

Designing a project to avoid, minimize or innovatively mitigate an environmental effect (impact or consequence), while maintaining its economic viability;

Pioneering or advancing a technological solution to address a conservation concern.

Nominations for the 2008 Tileston Award will be accepted until March 31. Nominees must be unanimously accepted by representatives of both the Alaska Conservation Alliance, and the Resource Development Council. For more information or an application, visit www.tilestonaward.com.