Mining permit meeting today in Sutton

SUTTON — Protests and counter-protests were ongoing or in the works Monday and today as the time allowed to comment on the permit for the proposed Wishbone Hill Coal Mine draws to a close.

According to the state Department of Natural Resources, public comment on the permit application was scheduled to close at 6 p.m., today immediately following a public hearing at Sutton Elementary School.

“The public meeting is open to the general public, and any person who is or may be adversely affected by the renewal of the permit may submit a written or oral statement,” according to DNR’s public notice.

Comments can be submitted in person at DNR’s Division of Mining, Land and Water offices at 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 900D in Anchorage, by e-mail to russell.kirkham@alaska.gov, or online at dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/mining/index.htm.

Meanwhile, anti-mining activists went to Anchorage Monday to deliver a petition containing “the names of thousands opposed to the project,” and stage a press conference at the governor’s offices there.

On the other side, pro-coal advocates announced that just prior to the meeting in Sutton at 5:30 p.m., they plan to meet at Alpine Inn, home of the Coal Miners Hall of Fame, and then move over to the meeting at the school.

“As the silent majority it is time we prove them wrong! We outnumber them!” the group organizing the rally says in an email announcement.

Anti-mining groups say they are concerned with the health, noise and safety concerns in opposing the mine, as well as worrying about property values.

Pro-mining groups say they want to see development in the Valley and the jobs that come with it.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.