Consider effects before it’s too late

To the editor:

This past fall I was a volunteer at the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer. While working there, I learned two facts that should be taken into consideration by those who have taken a pro-coal stance.

The first fact is that older musk ox are prone to an ailment called capture myopathy. In layperson’s terms, their systems shut down when confinement for any great length of time, and then they die.

The second fact is that 16,000 visitors toured the musk ox farm this past year.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what I’m getting at, but I’ll do so for those who have a difficult time making causal connections. More venerable musk ox like Otis can’t be moved to cleaner environs. This could be problematic should coal dust blow into his and his herdmates’ pastures.

That’s 16,000 tourists; the number is staggering when you look at in relation to our local economy. After all, these individuals undoubtedly eat in area restaurants and shop in local stores. And they most certainly will refrain from visiting Palmer should they have to contend with coal truck traffic.

The question the above raises is, are the deleterious effects of having a coal mine in the area worth it? Seventy-plus muskox and 16,000 tourists a year say no. I’m siding with them.

Alys Culhane

Palmer