The KRC Health Fair will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 at KRC’s new Career and Technical Education Center.

Low cost blood tests and health screenings will be available and the event is open to the public.

A variety of health-related vendors will be present and the Providence Hospital Mobile Mammogram Van will be available.

Women interested in scheduling an appointment for their annual screening mammogram must pre-register prior to Nov. 1 by calling or 888-458-3151.

Anyone planning on getting a blood panel drawn should be fasting for the most accurate results for tests including cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose (blood sugar) levels.

Typically a 12-hour fast is recommended and no liquids, other than water, should be consumed. Usually people taking medications on a regular basis can do so even while fasting, but this should be cleared with their physician.

For more information, contact Kathy Becher, KPC’s advanced nurse practitioner, at 262-0362 or e-mail kbecher@kpc.alaska.edu.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management planning public scoping sessions

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently announced that it will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in support of a potential oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet, off Alaska’s south central coast. BOEM oversees responsible development of the nation’s offshore energy resources.

The EIS analysis will focus on the potential effects of leasing, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas in the proposed lease sale area, which BOEM identified in November 2013.

That Area Identification reflected BOEM’s approach of using scientific information and stakeholder feedback to proactively determine, in advance of the potential lease sale, which specific areas within a planning area offer the greatest resource potential and industry interest while reducing potential conflicts with environmental and subsistence considerations.

According to BOEM representatives, the area identified for the proposed Cook Inlet sale is closer to existing infrastructure. It avoids nearly the entire area designated as critical habitat for the beluga whale and the northern sea otter, completely avoids the critical habitat for the Stellar sea lion and the North Pacific right whale.

It reduces effects on national parks, preserves and wildlife refuges.

It also excludes much of the subsistence-use area for the Native villages of Nanwalek and Port Graham that were identified during the last lease sale process in the area.

“We look forward to receiving thoughtful, substantial input on this EIS,” said Dr. Walter Cruickshank, BOEM acting director.

“In particular, we need to hear from residents of the communities along Cook Inlet on how the proposed leasing area is currently being used and what specific areas need extra attention.

To address these issues, we will use rigorous science together with traditional knowledge and input we receive from the The Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS is an early step in the leasing process.”

The Notice does not indicate a final decision to hold a lease sale has been made.

Rather, information gathered via the scoping process will help BOEM prepare the EIS, which in turn will inform a final decision on whether to hold the sale.

Schedule for scoping meetings:

Nov. 12, 7 p.m. — Seldovia (Tribal Conference Center)

Nov. 13, noon — Nanwalek (Tribal Community Center)

Nov. 13, 7 p.m. — Homer (Bidarka Inn)

Nov. 14, 7 p.m. — Soldotna (KPC Kenai River Campus-Ward Building)

Nov. 24, 7 p.m. — Anchorage (Loussac Library)

To provide public comment, go to www.regulations.gov and search for “Sale 244.” A direct link, as well as more information about the sale, is available at: www.boem.gov/ak244.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, Advancement Programs Manager at Kenai Peninsula College.