March 5, 2020 Mr. Richard Lessard
550 West 7^th Avenue Suite 900B
Anchorage, AK 99501
Via email to [email protected]  

Re: Red Dog Mine Millsite Lease ADL 233521 and Plan of Operation  

Dear Mr. Lessard:  

The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to comment on the proposal to issue Millsite Lease, ADL 233521 and approval of the Millsite Lease Plan of Operation (PoO). RDC is a statewide trade association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s fishing, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources. 

RDC is writing in support of issuance of the Millsite Lease and approval of the PoO, for the continued successful operations at the Red Dog Mine. Responsible development at the Red Dog Mine has helped the economy of the Northwest Arctic region and Alaska. The Mine provides hundreds of jobs to the local economy and funds the entire tax base of the Northwest Arctic Borough (NAB). Through 2019, the Mine has paid over $219 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes to the NAB.  These permits are required for continued operations and RDC supports the timely approval of both.  

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. 

Sincerely,

Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.