Anchorage, AK – The Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP) and Alaska Peninsula Corporation (APC) today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to position APC as the organizer of a consortium of key Iliamna Lake area village corporations to provide transportation and port operations support for the proposed project.
The consortium would operate all related logistics for the project related to the proposed northern transportation corridor. This would include managing port operations, maintaining the access road between the Pebble Port and the Pebble Mine Site, and providing trucking and other logistics services between the Pebble Port and the Pebble Mine Site. The value of the MOU is expected to exceed $20 million per year during operations. The operation of this logistics chain is critical to the successful development of the Pebble Project and this MOU is evidence of the strong support these village corporations have provided to Pebble over the past few years.
The MOU envisions the village corporations along the northern transportation corridor will play a significant and meaningful role in the development and operation of the Pebble Project and ensure full local participation in contracting and employment opportunities. This role at Pebble will also enable these village corporations to extend these services directly to the residents of the villages with the opportunity to significantly reduce the enormous cost of living in these communities.
“As we near approvals for our federal permits, it is time to begin laying concrete contractual commitments for construction and operations opportunities. The Pebble opportunity is real. We are excited about this opportunity to partner with our long-standing business partners in the area,” said PLP CEO Tom Collier.
“For APC and the other village corporations around the lake, contract opportunities like this are how we can ensure local hire and other direct local benefits from the project while assisting in the safe development and operations of the Pebble project. We want to be at the table with the Pebble Team in making good decisions for the region and ensuring our shareholders directly realize the benefits of this opportunity,” said APC CEO Dave McAlister.
PLP is developing the Pebble Project in southwest Alaska. The Project is currently advancing through the federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, with a final EIS report and Record of Decision expected this summer. Collier noted that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the regulatory agency leading the EIS process, has been confirming with stakeholders that the final EIS should be released on July 24th.
APC is an ANCSA village corporation, formed with the merger of the village corporations of Port Heiden, South Naknek, Ugashik, Kokhanok, and Newhalen. APC’s mission statement is “To preserve and enhance the quality of life of Alaska Peninsula Corporation shareholders and to protect our culture while managing our assets in a manner which enhances their value.”
APC and PLP signed an agreement in 2018 which provided right of way access across APC lands and gave APC “Preferred Contractor” status on Pebble-related contracts located on APC lands. Since that time, APC has provided a number of contract services to PLP, which have been key to advancing the project through the EIS process.
For more information contact:
Mike Heatwole, PLP, 907-339-2637
Dave McAlister, APC, (907) 274-2433