Redfern's new Taku plan requires new permit

State regulators Thursday restarted the permit process for the would-be operators of the Tulsequah Chief mine to ship supplies along the Taku River in icy seasons.

Redfern Resources Ltd., owned by Redcorp Ventures Ltd., submitted a new transportation plan last week to Alaska permitters, who had been waiting for answers to a February request for more information on the last plan.

The Tulsequah Chief mine is 40 miles northeast of Juneau on the Tulsequah River.

The mine company applied last year to use an amphibious concept vehicle to tow and push a hoverbarge on the Taku River when it's icy. But in May, the company announced that it had suspended construction of the new vehicle due to unforeseen costs and delays and would replace it with existing amphibious vehicles.

State permitters decided the new plan was "substantially modified," according to a letter from Alaska Coastal Management Program project coordinator Joe Donohue to the company.

According to state law, if a project changes substantially, it has to go back through the coastal zone consistency review.

In the coastal zone consistency review, state agencies decide what permits may be issued. It takes 50 days, including a 30-day public comment period.

The clock has been stopped for the last review since Dec. 21 and will not restart until Redfern submits new permit applications.

"We're hoping this time to get enough of the info to make our decisions without having to stop (the clock)," Donohue said.