To the Editor:
How would you like to leave Alaska for your children? This thought should at least cross your mind when you are making major decisions within our community and the State of Alaska. The main purpose of this letter is to inform the public of a Mining Proposal in our Chugach National Forest bordering the community of Hope.
You have the right to comment and the Forest Service must consider your comment, when they decide on this issue in just a short time. The Deadline is Jan.10, 2009 to send your comment to the Seward Ranger District. If you wish to speak up, make it Quick.
The basics of the mining proposal are as follows: The Hope Mining Co. sent a proposal to the forest service regarding a portion of their claims along the Resurrection Creek. They wish to dig trenches 500 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 15 feet deep for placer mining. They would use large equipment, D8 and D9 excavators and other equipment to conduct their mining. Miners have the right to mine their claims, the basis for these rights are from the Mining act of 1872. This Law is over 130 years old.
Shortly after Alaska was purchased from Russia a few changes have happened in 130 years that we might want to consider, here's one, they didn't use D9 Dozers to mine in 1872.
The Forest Service has the job of looking after our public land and seeing how this Mining will affect our wilderness habitat and the surrounding community. On this proposal they have only 60 days to evaluate the impacts, inform the public, accept public comments, and decide on this issue. They posted an ad in the Daily News on Dec. 10 and mailed out 114 copies of the mining proposal.
This is a small piece of a bigger and rather complicated puzzle. In 2005 and 2006 roughly $1.7 million dollars was spent for the Resurrection Creek Stream Restoration. This was to repair damages to the natural habitat from the mining done in the 1900s. This mining proposal is located just down stream from the 2005/06 restoration. There is a second phase of the stream restoration planned for 2010 at an estimated cost of $1.5 million dollars. Phase 2 of the restoration and the current mining proposal are the same location. This mining proposal will happen. The Stream Restoration is a big maybe. In the 1900s they might not have been aware of how their actions impacted this generation, but in 2009 we are well aware that what we do affects our children and future generations. Maybe we should take some more time to think through our decisions.
If you would like to learn more there's a phone number [below]. If you wish to comment please do so before January 9, 2009 and send to Seward Ranger District.
Seward Ranger District
Attn: Seward District Ranger
P.O. Box 390, Seward, Alaska 99664 or avillwock@fs.fed.us
Persons submitting comments must provide the following.
1. Name, Address, Signature
2. Comments on proposal and supporting reasons
3. Title of proposed action: Hope Mining Co. Area 5a,19,20a Mining plan of Operations
Shawn DeFord
Hope, AK
For info: