Usibelli Coal Company wants to build an open pit coal mine in the middle of Alaska's beautiful Matanuska-Susitna Valley at Wishbone Hill. This vibrant community is home to people who moved there to enjoy the landscape, recreational activities and wildlife.
If Usibelli Coal Company gets their way recreational access will be cut off, the landscape will be scarred, wildlife endangered, and the over 100 families that live near the site will be impacted by dangerous industrial coal operations.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is taking public comments on Usibelli's permit renewal. Their permit is out of date, inaccurate and doesn't reflect the real impact of a mine on the people, wildlife and landscape. Send them a message today -- and tell them Alaskans don't want a strip mine in the middle of this community!
Dear Mr. Russell Kirkham,
Usibelli Coal Company wants to build an open pit coal mine in the middle of the Matanuska Valley. Not only will recreational access be cut off, but over 100 families live less than one mile from the mine site.
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I am concerned about the proposed Wishbone Hill Coal Mine permit renewal. The community around the proposed mine has changed drastically from when the mining permit was initially issued. Mining is no longer the best use of land or in the public interest. Blasting, increased traffic, and other associated industrial activities will negatively impact the nearby homes, schools, and communities.
The permit materials also include inaccurate and out of date information on fish, wildlife, and plant species. Without updated and complete information there isn't a baseline and there is no way to be sure that mining won't degrade the surface or ground water.
The mine will have major impacts on the surrounding community, recreational users, and tribal citizens.
Given this information, I ask the Department of Natural Resources to deny the Wishbone Hill Mine permit renewal.
