Jonesville Mine area is for recreational use

Editor’s note: This letter was sent to Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water and the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.

To the editor;

As a resident of the Mat-Su Valley, I am greatly concerned about the potential re-opening of the Jonesville mine and the negative impact it will have.

Ranger Alaska’s permit should unequivocably be denied.

Since the mine was closed 32 years ago, Sutton has developed into a quiet residential community. The mining activity will be disruptive to the community. Heavy equipment, heavy truck traffic barely feet from some residences, all on the same roads that children ride their bicycles. Dust, noise, potential for pollution and contamination. None of this is acceptable. There is also the issue of recreational use of the Jonesville Mine area. Since the closing of the original operation, the area has developed a tremendous and significant tradition of recreational use that will be destroyed by the mining operations.

I personally use the area for off-road motorcycling. In fact I was up there a week ago, and even at this time of the year there were families camping there. In the high summer I’ve seen hundreds of people camping there. My three now grown sons were raised with many camping trips to Jonesville.

The tradition of recreational use at Jonesville has a long history, and has grown to great proportions. If Ranger Alaska is allowed to mine Jonesville, the recreational use of the Jonesville Mine area will be lost.

The few jobs that might be created are not worth the disruption and degredation to the community and local recreation. Profits from the mine will go to Ranger Alaska and out of the state. As you know, they are not even an Alaska corporation. Maybe the state gets some fees. That’s a very small benefit to the people of Alaska relative to the cost. And remember, it’s us and our interests you represent, not the interests of an out of state mining conglomerate.

Todd Johnson

Wasilla