Tribal leaders will fight an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Sept. 20 decision to issue the Air Force a permit for the asbestos burial. DEC environmental specialist Nancy Sonafrank said the Air Force’s disposal plan exceeded state standards. The 1,200 cubic yards of is from demolition of buildings at a radar site just outside Fort Yukon. The Air Force wants to bury it in steel containers on its land about a mile from the village. Opponents have 30 days to request an appeal hearing. The permit remains in effect during that process and burial could begin immediately without a court injunction. “Even though they granted the permit, we’re going to continue to fight it,” Angela Ludwick, the village’s executive director, said. “The tribal council members have taken a stand and said – firmly – no. We don’t want it buried here.” Ludwick said the council’s concerns include groundwater contamination, scavenging animals and the possibility debris will eventually resurface. The asbestos being buried is an inert material that does not dissolve in water and will not move into the groundwater table, the DEC said. The Air Force reported a cost of more than $1 million to ship the material away, but burying it in the area is $200,000.
