Exercise caution developing Hatcher

Hatcher Pass is the vital element in making the Mat-Su Valley a valuable and engaging winter recreation destination.

Realizing this, Mat-Su Borough officials have been trying for years to attract a responsible developer willing to cultivate the untapped natural potential of Hatcher Pass. Alpine skiing and a fully developed, world-class Nordic cross-country ski trail system top the Borough’s wish list. Tired of waiting, the Borough is jump-starting the process by beginning the development process itself.

The Borough Assembly has approved $50,000 to study the recreation options for the area, as well as begin environmental impact studies. It has outlined its own wants for recreation at the pass, including skiing, a lodge and even a couple of lifts. Overall, about $5 million has been set aside to help develop infrastructure at Hatcher Pass.

While we give kudos to Borough Assembly members for moving forward with the Borough’s vision, we also trust they have considered two very important concerns.

The first is retaining the natural splendor that makes Hatcher Pass one of Mother Nature’s jewels of Alaska. It is relatively unspoiled and has played a vital role in the Valley’s economic history. First, miners drilled into the mountain for gold, now we look to cultivate its white gold. Any recreational development at Hatcher Pass needs to be done with a minimal impact on the surrounding environment. The last thing Borough residents want is to trade their pristine pass for a few bags of gold.

The second is to pay careful attention to the recent developments with state-owned Matanuska Maid Dairy. Borough Manager John Duffy says local government doesn’t want to be in the ski resort business, but by developing those assets the Borough is setting itself up for just that if it can’t find someone to take on the operation.

In the case of Mat Maid, the government-owned entity made a final, gasping grasp at profitability before the state finally decided to sell the dairy. There were no bidders, and now Alaska is forced to sell off the dairy’s assets piecemeal.

The Borough says it has about $5 million to spend on developing the infrastructure at Hatcher Pass. We’re past the if-we-build-it-they-will-buy phase. The Borough may not want to be in the ski resort business, but if it builds one and nobody steps forward to operate it, it might be stuck.

We applaud the vision and understand the Borough’s action. Nothing would be accomplished by continuing to do nothing. As it looks to develop the winter recreation potential at Hatcher Pass, we urge the Borough to maintain its natural gifts, and not bite off more than it’s willing to swallow.