UAF Mining Extension Advisory Group

November 15, 2010 Audio Minutes

Members present:Mitchell Dammeyer

Travis Hudson

Rich Hughes

Dan Walsh

Kelley Hegarty Lammers

CES staff and faculty:Bob Gorman

Meg Burgett

Discussion Items for this meeting:

  • Review of draft surface mining video podcast
  • Review and discussion of NEPA website
  • Direction from group on UAF Mining program activities and products for current fiscal year

Surface Mining Video Podcast

Group comments:

  • Kelley – excellent quality, a very good start
  • Travis – images good, script too technical; too specific to Ft. Knox for general education/overview of process
  • Mitchell – agreed with Travis, could be a little too technical and a little imposing for the target audience; needs to be simplified – take out the technical jargon but maintain accuracy
  • Dan – technically correct, but can see how it might be too technical for our audience
  • Rich – agrees with Kelley, good quality, likes the explanations of the processes
  • Travis – suggests breaking into two videos – one that is a general overview of the surface mine process, not too technical, but accurate and balanced; a second that is more of a case study of the Ft. Knox mine, could include the more technical, in-depth look at how the process goes at one specific location in Alaska.

The group agrees that this would be the best approach, and also suggest we do the same with the underground mining video that is next on the list.

NEPA website

Group comments:

  • Kelley – factually accurate, but that’s about it, visual presentation good, but not appropriate for subject or target audience
  • Travis – likes look and feel, but content very incomplete – not enough there, links need serious attention

General discussion – this site needs a lot of work; target audience is not clear, as it is now, it doesn’t really tell us anything new. Travis/Peterson (contractor who developed the content) is well respected by the group, but their proposal to complete the work they began last fiscal year on this project is outside the capabilities of this program. Their proposal to complete their work was approximately $90,000. Group feels that perhaps this was just too small a project for them and it would be best to find another contractor that can work closely with the Advisory Group to develop content, review and approve links and resources and feed information to the web developer. The group is satisfied with the work of the web developer that designed the draft site, (Advanced Design) and their proposal to complete the work is within the budget abilities of the program (approximately $3000 - $5000).

There was considerable discussion on identifying another contractor that the group felt could develop content for this site that was culturally appropriate and relatable to our target audience. The group would like Kelley Hegarty and Associates to submit a proposal for their consideration. They were unanimous in their opinion that through her previous work with rural communities and the NEPA scoping process, she was probably one of the most qualified contractor available and would be able to work closely with the rest of the group, CES faculty and staff and the web developer to get the desired product.

Kelley remained on the line for this conversation, but beyond expressing her availability, she did not participate in the discussion. The group requests that Kelley Hegarty and Associates develop and submit a proposal for their review prior to the next meeting (Nov. 29).

Program direction for current fiscal year

Bob would like the group to consider and offer recommendations to CES administration for activities and distribution of UAF Mining Extension funds for the current fiscal year. Considerations include staff and faculty time covered by the funds and identified projects and products to be completed by June 30, 2010. Items that have been discussed before and need to be clarified with costs attached to them include:

  • CES staff and faculty time charged to the program
  • NEPA website and presentation at the 2011 Alaska Forum on the Environment
  • Video podcasts on mining in Alaska using existing footage from previous mine tour
  • Mining workshops offered through Delta Mine Training Center

The group requests that we develop a draft budget with the above items and their costs for review and discussion at the next meeting scheduled for Nov. 29, 2010.