Anchorage, AK – April 14, 2009 – Aleutians East Borough (AEB) Mayor Stanley Mack presented testimony supporting responsible offshore oil and gas development in federal waters during a meeting in Anchorage today hosted by U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Mack, a life-long commercial and subsistence fisherman from Sand Point, said the Borough is looking for economic diversification because AEB’s fishermen are struggling to make ends meet.

“We are almost entirely dependent on commercial fishing,” Mayor Mack said. “Our fisheries are healthy from a sustainability standpoint, but economically, it’s a different situation. In the late 1980s and early 90s, prices for sockeye salmon were well over $2.00 per pound. They are now 60 – 70 cents per pound as a result of increased competition from subsidized farmed fish from overseas. Fuel prices now are nearly five times what they were then. Our fishermen are barely hanging on. These changing economic circumstances have forced the Borough to examine other economic opportunities and to be creative in seeking them out,” he added.

King Cove, AK – March 25, 2009 – The mayors from King Cove, Alaska and the Aleutians East Borough as well as Native leaders are applauding members of Congress after the U.S. House approved the Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Refuge Enhancement Act, part of the Omnibus Public Lands Package.  The bill passed 285 to 140 today. Last week, the bill passed in the Senate 77 – 20.  The package contains more than160 public land bills affecting all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Enhancement Act would establish a process to increase the size of the Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Wildlife Refuges by more than 61,000 acres in exchange for a small gravel single-lane road corridor (206 acres) leading from the remote community of King Cove to an all-weather airport in Cold Bay, Alaska.

“We are so appreciative of all the work that Representative Don Young (R – Alaska), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R – Alaska), and Sen. Mark Begich (D – Alaska) have put into this bill,” said Aleutians East Borough Mayor Stanley Mack. “Their stanch bipartisan support has allowed us to reach this milestone today. If all goes well, this bill will vastly improve the quality of life for the mostly Aleut (Alaska Native) people of King Cove by providing safe, reliable surface transportation.” 

King Cove, AK – March 19, 2009 – Community leaders from King Cove, Alaska and the Aleutians East Borough are thanking the Alaska Delegation and Governor Sarah Palin after the U.S. Senate passed the Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Refuge Enhancement Act, part of the Omnibus Public Lands Package (S. 22).  The bill passed the Senate 77 – 20, as part of H.R. 146. The package includes more than160 public land bills affecting all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Enhancement Act would establish a process to increase the size of the Izembek and Alaska Peninsula Wildlife Refuges by more than 61,000 acres in exchange for a small, narrow road corridor (206 acres) leading from the remote community of King Cove to an all-weather airport in Cold Bay, Alaska.

“We are so grateful to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R – Alaska), Representative Don Young (R – Alaska), and Sen. Mark Begich (D – Alaska),” said Aleutians East Borough Mayor Stanley Mack. “Their unwavering bipartisan support is the reason we have made it this far. This legislation is the key that will provide an improved quality of life for the mostly Aleut (Alaska Native) people of King Cove. They deserve to have safe, affordable, dependable surface transportation.  “We also want to thank Governor Sarah Palin for her strong support of the bill and the land exchange. The State of Alaska is our key partner in accomplishing this project.”