It’s our land, not the corporation’s

To the editor:

When I read that the Jonesville mine permit had been withdrawn by the state, I was not surprised. A friend and I had gone out to Slipper Lake on July 2 to ask folks if they had known about the proposed mining operation at Jonesville, and many of them did not — and surprisingly, were completely against it. Surprising due to the fact that the Jonesville general store we passed by on our way to the recreational site clearly has a flashing red sign that says “get your coal here!”

But the 120 people we talked to and who signed our petition against mining in the area were not a part of the pro-mining constituency, apparently.

When you start talking about denying access to recreational trails due to mining, however, it’s pretty easy to get support. This land was our land before it was leased out to these mining companies. There were only two groups of people who weren’t interested in talking to us, but everyone else was very receptive to our efforts in raising awareness around the mining issue. It was not what we anticipated, but it was a rewarding experience nonetheless. It was rewarding to know that there are people out there who care more about their land than they do about money, because that is all these mining companies care about: how big their wallets are going to be after the mining is complete, wherever it is.

Just look at what is happening in states like West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee. Mountain-top removal coal mining, often described as “strip mining on steroids,” is an extremely destructive form of mining that is devastating Appalachia. In the past few decades, more than 2,000 miles of streams and headwaters that provide drinking water for millions of Americans have been permanently buried and destroyed.

An area the size of Delaware has been flattened. Local coalfield communities routinely face devastating floods and adverse health effects. Natural habitats in some of our country’s oldest forests are laid to waste. Who’s to say this won’t happen in Alaska? Our state contains about 1/5 of the United States’ coal reserves and about 1/8 of the world’s reserves.

Jonesville is a small win, but we still need to continue opposition against Usibelli’s proposed coal mine at Wishbone Hill. It’s our land, not the corporation’s. Let’s fight for our future and our children’s future.

Christiana Wright

Palmer