Kathy Means
Division of Oil and Gas
550 West 7th Ave
Suite 800
Anchorage, AK 99501-3576

RE: Comments on the Houston-Willow Basin Gas Exploration License Proposal

The Willow Community Area Organization (WACO) would like to present certain concerns the community has regarding the issuance of a license for natural gas exploration in the Houston-Willow basin area. A great deal of the state land available as proposed by the applicant, LAPP Resources, Inc. lies within the boundary of the Willow community.

The issues Willow has with the proposed areas are:

• Some of that land is located extremely close to residential areas and such proximity is not acceptable.
• There are several anadromous fish streams in the area of interest such as Nancy Creek and Lilly Creek, which empty into Nancy Lake; Deception Creek that flows into Willow Creek and several smaller streams that flow into the Little Su.
• Much of the land is upland, thus raising the question of access for heavy duty equipment in a pristine area.
• Willow is well-known for its recreational appeal. The area in question has priceless recreation opportunities, especially in winter. Of major interest is the Haessler-Norris Trail System, a winter use trail system that is vital to the training of dog sled teams, many of whom train there for the Iditarod and other distance races. These trails are in the process of obtaining government protection. Access to the entire trail system must be guaranteed. We have included for your reference a copy of the Willow Area Trail Plan.
• The community of Willow is actively working on a Comprehensive Plan. It would be of value to the community to maintain constant communication with government agencies while this process is underway.

We respectfully request that DO&G address our concerns before issuing a license for exploration.
Sincerely,
Linda Oxley, Chairperson
June 2, 2008

cc:
Sarah Palin, Governor
Tom Irwin, Commissioner-DNR
Jim King, Director-State Parks
Ted Stevens, Senator
Lisa Murkowski, Senator
Don Young, Representative
Curt Menard, Mayor-Mat Su Borough
Tom Kluberton, Mat Su Borough Assembly
John Duffy, Manager, Mat Su Borough
Charlie Huggins, State Senator
Mark Neuman, State Representative
Mark Begich, Mayor-City of Anchorage
Sandy McDonald, Mayor-City of Houston