Coal mining has a 100-year history in the area

To the editor:

Rod Jackson and David Kennedy of Wells Fargo and Al Strawn of Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union were quoted in the Frontiersman on June 2. These bank executives said they continue to provide mortgage loans and the proposed Wishbone Hill Coal Mine does not affect real estate loans in the mine area.

Eight days later and on following days, I heard a radio ad sponsored by Mat Valley Coalition claiming Jackson and Strawn said property within a mile of the mine site would not be able to get a loan.

Healthy debate is important in community decisions, but propaganda, scare tactics and blatant lies make responsible decision making impossible. Usibelli has answered my every question. They have referenced studies and reports from industry professionals and state agencies for every claim they’ve made.

We have 100 years of coal mining history in this area. A dozen families lived on the very edge of the mining site at Eska. Miners worked all day in the mine then ate and slept in a dormitory right on site. Eska Creek ran beside the mine and rail cars hauled coal through Sutton and Palmer.

I, myself, have researched this history for 40 years. I have spent more than 600 hours interviewing more than 120 local miners and their families. I read all reports on the Wishbone Mine from 1944 until today. I read all published history I could find about this area and posted much of it on Facebook for others to read. In all of that research I found not one mention of poor air quality, impure water or problems caused by coal dust. If anyone can document those problems occurring here, they should share the information and the source.

I do not support resource development at any cost. I maintained a website and did research for my son in his battle to expose Nabors Drilling and BP for harmful practices on the Slope. His fight reached the national level and after five years resulted in loss of his job. You might have seen him on national news when his warnings came true in the explosion in the gulf.

Each situation must be judged on its own merits. Truth comes through honest research and documented facts. I hope that we can all embrace truth and work together to do what is best for our community.

Roberta Mason

Palmer