Susitna-Watana land use agreement formed

The Alaska Energy Authority has formed an agreement with Cook Inlet Region Inc. and several Cook Inlet villages for the use of land needed for the planned Susitna-Watana hydroelectric dam, in remote country around the upper reaches of the Susitna River, to the south of the Alaska Range. The lack of a land-use agreement had become an impediment in the Susitna-Watana project and had prompted Gov. Sean Parnell to make some funding for the project in next year’s budget contingent on an agreement being achieved.

Six Native village corporations from the Cook Inlet region own some surface land within the area of the Susitna-Watana project, while Cook Inlet Region Inc., the Native regional corporation for the Cook Inlet region, owns subsurface land.

“This permit is the result of months of negotiations and is a step toward continuing a long-term positive relationship between AEA, the Cook Inlet village corporations and CIRI,” said Sara Fisher-Goad, AEA executive director. “This permit protects land owners while providing AEA the necessary access to conduct Susitna-Watana Hydro environmental study. We look forward to the continued development of this partnership.”

“Completing this monumental task has been an historic achievement requiring much commitment, time, effort and willingness to compromise for the greatest good for the greatest number of people,” said Greg Encelewski, president of the Ninilchik Natives Association, one of the village corporations involved.

AEA requires an access permit for the Native land to conduct field work for environmental studies needed as part of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing effort for the massive hydropower project.

—Alan Bailey