THE STATE Department of Natural Resources IAT, ASKA DIVISION OF MINING, LAND & WATER Water Resources Section GOVERNOR | VAL 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1020 GOVERNOR BILL WALKER ‘Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3579 TDD: 907.269.8411 Fox: 907.269 8947 dune 23, 2015 NOTICE OF AUGUST 21, 2015 OBJECTION HEARING Subject: Hearing, pursuant to 11 AAC 93.110 (a), on objections filed in response to request for comments on the Chuitna Citizen Coalition Inc.'s (CCC) Applications for Reservation of Water in Stream 2003 (a.k.a. Middle Creek) (A tributary to Chuitna River), LAS 27340 (main reach), LAS 27436 (lower reach), and LAS 27437 (middle reach) Dear Objector: In their April 9, 2015 Public Notice Response letter, CCC and Cook Inlet Keeper requested that the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, (DNR) hold a hearing on the pending applications for water reservations in Middle Creek. After careful consideration of this and other requests, | have decided to hold a hearing pursuant to 11 AAC 93.110 (a). This hearing will be limited to presentations and inquiry conceming objections that have already been made and which fall ito two categories: (1) objections to some part of the DNR analyses, and (2) ‘objections to granting the reservations. This hearing will be open to the public for viewing, but participation will be limited to persons or entities that have already made an objection falling into one of the above described categories, and will not include general public participation. This notice is being sent to all persons or entities identified by DNR as being qualified to participate, and only those to whom this notice is addressed will be given an opportunity to participate, unless a request to participate is granted by DNR to an unidentified, yet qualified party. The hearing will be held on August 21, 2015 in the Federal Building Annex Conference Room located at 222 W 8th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska starting at 8:45 a.m.. The scope of the hearing will be limited to presentations of additional information and/or argument(s) supporting or refuting objections as described above that have already made. No new objections will be allowed. The proposed schedule of presentations is as follows: The applicant, CCC, will be afforded up to 1% hours to make a presentation and to respond to DNR questions and comments. Cook Inlet Keeper will be given up to an additional % hour to do the same. After CCC and Cook Inlet Keeper, the Alaska Center for the Environment will be given up to % hour to make a presentation and to respond to DNR questions and comments. We will then take a lunch break. Starting at 12:30 p.m. Pac Rim Coal LLP will be given up to 1 hour to make a presentation and to respond to DNR questions and comments. After PacRim, the Trust Land Office, representing the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, will be given % hour to make a presentation and respond to DNR questions and comments. ‘The remaining afternoon time, in 10 minute increments, will be available for other objectors to make brief presentations and/or arguments as outlined above. At the end of all the afternoon objector presentations, we will take a 15 minute break, and then CCC will be given 15 minutes for any final comments they may have.CCC Objection Hearing Notice June 22,2015 Page 2 Any participant may appear in person or be represented by an attorney, but should be prepared to respond to DNR questions and comments. DNR may ask questions such as how particular objections relate specifically to each application under consideration, what back up information supports particular objections, what is the basis. for any legal or constitutional argument being made, what timelines or processes an objector might suggest as. an alternative to a timeline or process objected to, or how DNR should consider particular objections in relation to the criteria set out in AS 46.15.080. As noted above, the applicant will be first on the agenda, and then will be given an opportunity to make any final comments or response at the end of the hearing. All of the comments filed with DNR, including those with objections are available for viewing at the Water Resources. Section Office. Please contact Kim Sager at 907-269-2033 or via e-mail at kimberly sager@alaska.gov, Additional questions may be asked at the time of the hearing. Please note: Any objector receiving this letter who wants to participate in the August 21, 2015 hearing, including the applicant and others named above, must inform DNR of their intent to participate at their earliest ‘convenience, but no later than 4:30 p.m. Alaska Time July 17, 2015. Only those parties who tmely fle a notice: ‘of intent to participate will be put on the schedule. Parties who file notices of intent to participate after July 17, 2015 may be allowed to participate if ime permits, at the discretion of the Chief. Any questions or concerns about the hearing or the hearing process must be made via e-mail to david.w.schade@alaska.gov. These inquiries and DNR's response to these inquiries will be part of the public record. ignee nde Authority Delegated by the Commissioner, Alaska Department of Natural Resources by: David W. Schade, MPA. Chief