CBM concerns are no laughing matter

Spectrum, by Scott Haan

Len Karpinski, Anchorage, lambasted me in the January 2 Frontiersman letter "Claim of support by CBM protesters laughable." Apparently the pen whipping was because I have gone to the mat for Mat-Su residents' 14th amendment due-process rights that have been subverted by our state government. I do not understand what is laughable about supporting resource development away from residential and recreational areas. I support CBM development: Keep it 2,640 feet from residential dwellings and out of the Hatcher Pass recreation area and I will consider buying Evergreen stock. Mr. Karpinski: I LIVE HERE AND I AM NOT LAUGHING.

The notion that Mat-Su residents, like me, want somebody else to pay for local public services is "laughable" because we pay local taxes. Apparently Mr. Karpinski wants to enjoy having his schools paid for and roads maintained with money derived from Mat-Su neighborhoods like mine listening to compressors, having our water supply threatened and having industrial development invade in violation of homeowner association covenants.

At the couple of neighborhood holiday parties I have attended, I have been thanked for having the courage to stand up for our rights. What is pathetic is that I had to attend four public hearings before I was afforded the opportunity to speak. At the first meeting I went to in Palmer, a DNR employee stated on tape DNR's unwritten policy to approve all CBM development regardless of citizen concerns. Where is the substantive due process? This is the meeting where an Evergreen spokesman said on record that their industrial facilities look better than many Mat-Su residences. Whoever alleges that I grabbed a microphone at the fourth meeting in Wasilla and my neighbors chuckled at my support for responsible CBM development is mistaken.

The problem in the Mat-Su Borough right now is the "golden rule" and a lack of representation. CBM special interests have used their gold to influence our state politicians to write rules that allow our neighborhoods to be invaded with industrial development without our consent. Alaska depends on resource development but Mat-Su neighborhoods are not Siberian oil fields. There is not a shortage of natural gas locally that justifies the violation of our neighborhoods.

Governor Murkowski indicated he would consider a lease buyback. The best solution for the Hatcher Pass recreation area is this buyback. I believe that a promise made is a debt unpaid. That is why an Evergreen spokesman deferred from saying that Evergreen would voluntarily honor my neighborhood's covenants when asked at my October community council meeting. I sincerely hope that our elected officials will have the integrity to alleviate the affliction that was myopically imposed on us.

Scott Haan lives in Palmer