Comments

EK wrote on Apr 23, 2008 12:04 AM:

" I'm pretty sure the industrial manufacturers who spilled tons of chemicals, mines leeched heavy metals into our water and coal plants emitting large amounts of POP's into the atmosphere were all "here first" at some point.

It's not political it's common sense.
Our Economy is based on natural resources:

Healthy environment = Healthy Economy

I'm not trying anger anyone, but we need to think more about the FUTURE growth of the valley and not simply the next year .

Enough soapboxing...I'll still love it here, just less when I can't drill a safe well "




EK wrote on Apr 22, 2008 11:53 PM:

" I completely agree...we all make an impact and often those impacts are detrimental. Does this mean we should make no attempts whatsoever to lower our ecological and carbon footprints in order to sustain healthy life here?

We should lower demand, I completely agree. There are plenty of decrepit lots above the water table that owners could sell for gravel, or how about reusing existing lots? This limits both suburban expansion and keeps the gravel industry booming.

Don't learn to change at all and thats when we will have real problem.

"




AK Transplant wrote on Apr 21, 2008 8:49 PM:

" Yes, many of the gravel pits were here before the homes were, but does that give them the right to operate free of any constraints? And yes, industry is vitally important to the Valley, but it must be done responsibly. As a proud transplant to this state, I have seen the way other parts of the world manage their resources. What is done in the Valley is often appalling. We all have the right to develop our property, but we must collectively learn that our actions have an impact outside of our own property lines. "




Hughe Jardon wrote on Apr 21, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Ok, lets be fair. People are moving to the valley because of the beauty and quiet. If I'm not mistaken, there are more gravel deposits in the valley then right next to neighborhoods. Move your equipment and mine away from water tables being used to sustain life. "




Leon wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:15 PM:

" Ek this has nothing to do with health and or safety issues. And like most people you ignore the fact these pits existed before a large majority of the houses here in the valley were built.
The Borough has made no wise choices, just poor political driven choices, like most of the choices it has made here in the past.for the record anytime you make a hole in the ground that fills with water you create a habitat, period, so get off youre green thumb thinking and open youre eyes to the rest of the world. 35 years valley resident. "




Axle wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:36 PM:

" EK.. It's NOT so much the economic interest of the gravel industry, but the collective impact of our species. YOU, ME, ALL OF US, demand gravel. Should the impact footprint be confined to smaller areas and transported to market in the safest most efficient manner? Should the burning of fossil fuels be reduced for each ton of gravel produced? Dredges are electic which in our area is produced from natural gas and above water mining is done with diesel burning heavy machinery.
There is nothing we do which has no impact. Your acivities included. "




RL wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:44 PM:

" So EK.....Where would you like to see gravel mined? Where is it OK? "




JZ wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:40 PM:

" There would be no Glenn Highway without the gravel pits. Quit demanding the product and you will have your view back. You can not have it both ways. "




EK wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:07 AM:

" The gravel industry provided the resources for all these developments. Therefore it's pretty hilarious to hear people argue that the borough is "sticking it to the gravel industry and increasing centralized control."

1. Gravel Pits provide raw natural resources
2. Realtors/developers utilize those resources by building
3. Homes and cheap land draw larger population
4. legislation must be placed to protect population from environmental and industrial harm.

We brought this on ourselves, and the borough has finally made some wise choices for long term future of our community rather than short term economic gains. "




EK wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:01 AM:

" Leon, to assume that digging a gravel pit below water line makes for a suitable habitat is a pretty uninformed statement. Now, to say that in maybe 20-50 years it would be a suitable habitat for alders and willows, yeah that might (emphasis on the might) make sense. Digging a gravel pit through moraine is pretty much the equivalent of a huge natural disturbance, only it's not natural because you have heavy machinery working in the area and leeching chemicals into the water. It's not about money, it's about community health and safety, "




Leon wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:43 PM:

" if you mine below the Seaonal water table table then you create lakes, ponds, resevoirs, these are habitats.
Now for those that contend they make to much noise, or effect you property values, a majority of the pits existed before youre house was built, so look around before you buy and build. This is simpily politics, intended to shut down the small operator and the borough Dam well knows it. "




EK wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:45 AM:

" I don't understand what people are thinking out here sometimes. How can people argue about the protection of bodily necessities vs. economic interest in an industry that is dependent on a non renewable, quickly depleting resource? This is ludicrous!! My home state was Florida and our wetlands have gone through the same raping that's happening in the valley so that other places can be developed. I'm tired of this. If everyone in the valley wants low water tables, sink holes, salt water intrusion and heavy metal in water...then keep on ignoring your natural biotic systems. "




Scenic Glenn Highway? wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:14 AM:

" The Gravel industry is turning the South Palmer area into a waste land. Draining the kettle lakes behind them. Creating an EYE SORE that everybody sees as they drive down the Scenic Glenn. So for me the issue runs much deeper than the water table. Let's move them out period!! "




RZ wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Way to go Frontiersman. This is a pretty important issue for the Valley economy. There have been radio and print ads on the issue for almost two weeks. KTUU ran this story last week. When does the Frontiersman write about it? The day the Borough Assembly votes. Nothing like keeping us informed. "




Evets wrote on Apr 16, 2008 3:18 PM:

" These are the distances to the water table some other States allow without a special permit:Utah&Minnesota 2 feet separation/ Florida&Louisiana 2 feet separation/ Texas,Ohio&N.Carolina 1 foot/Alabama 1.5 feet. These States allow dredging under a permit system. 33 other States also allow dredging of gravel below the water table. There are currently over 700 dredges safely excavating gravel in the United States. The Municipality of Anchorage and DEC call for 2 feet separation when removing gravel. The Borough has much greater potential for pollution from septic systems and under ground storage tanks. Gravel extraction is not a problem. "




Alan_peck wrote on Apr 16, 2008 10:28 AM:

" Continued: There are case examples within the State of material extraction operations resulting in the depletion of water levels in wells and degradation of water quality. Again, water is a publicly managed resource by State (DNR) and federal agencies (federally retained water rights). Water users may be granted a quantifiable amount of water which gives them legal standing. However, there are no federal, State, or local agencies that will provide protection to a private well owner. The recourse for that private well owner is to take on the burden of proof to show damages and follow an expense legal course. "




Alan Peck wrote on Apr 16, 2008 10:21 AM:

" Comment continued:

A 4 to 5 foot separation is the best protection to maintain water quantity and quality in confined and unconfined aquifers. This applies to both the excavation activity and the later reclamation and land use. The 4 to 5 ft separation distance is supported and justified scientifically, technically, and through Best Management Practices in Alaska, throughout the US and many foreign countries.
"




Alan Peck wrote on Apr 16, 2008 10:20 AM:

" As a hydrologist, specializing in ground and surface water, my professional recommendation is for the assembly to adopt the ordinance 08-017, which requires a 4 ft separation distance between the seasonal high water table and the excavation bottom. Due to the growth in the State and especially in Southcentral there will be increasing conflicts between interested parties. Given this current and future environment, there needs to be adequate protection and proper management of the publicly owned water resources, both surface and subsurface. This proposed ordinance is a step in that direction.
"




AK wrote on Apr 16, 2008 9:36 AM:

" Wow, we have to get a handle on our government here in the Valley. The
Borough Manager and current assembly members are not responsive to the wishes of their constituents. Most of the testimony at last night’s assembly meeting was against the dredging ordinance, yet it passed as their minds seemed to be made up in advance. Mr. Duffy and Ms. Church need to go.
"




Hear for truth wrote on Apr 16, 2008 8:22 AM:

" If you look at the facts you will find that Duffy is an out right liar and that all the current infomrationis speculative. In fact, the water table has been going down since the early 50's and many homes would be underwater if the water was at 1950's elevations. Duffy better watch out before he assists in regulating himself into an unnecessary recession. "




d wanke wrote on Apr 15, 2008 5:33 PM:

" Seems to me that the borough needs to look at ways to limit developers from building subdivisions so close to gravel pits. Just because new homeowners "may" experience problems in the future is no reason to punish the gravel industry. "




observer wrote on Apr 15, 2008 11:14 AM:

" If anything needs to be limited it's the Mat-Su borough manager and planning staff. "