Misconceptions about Wishbone Hill mining

Alaska is rich with natural resources and the Mat-Su Valley is home to coal deposits that are among the cleanest coals in the world.

Wishbone Hill is the only bituminous coal deposit on the road system in Alaska. In this same area the Jonesville Mines operated from 1916 to 1982 with coal sent to Anchorage power plants until the early 1980s.

Founder of Usibelli Coal Mine, Emil Usibelli, worked at the Jonesville site where 7 million tons of coal from 18 mines was extracted. Today, many generations of miners live locally and appreciate Usibelli Coal Mine’s experience and social consciousness.

Here are some facts about developing Wishbone Hill and Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. These are facts, not emotion:

n The coal mined at Wishbone Hill is destined for Pacific Rim countries.

n Tax revenue from operations can offset homeowner property taxes and help avoid a borough-wide sales tax.

n 75 to 125 high-paying, year-round jobs will be created with the money staying here and providing great job alternatives to North Slope workers.

n With oil production declining, new revenue sources need to be encouraged.

n Coal extraction does not release toxic chemicals.

n UCM is extremely active in communities and supports 88 non-profits statewide. Its 125 employees are active in their communities and are generally long-term employees as were generations before them.

n Usibelli’s land reclamation program was employed well before regulation required it.

n As good stewards of local economy, UCM contracts with local businesses whenever possible, including Palmer and Wasilla businesses for mapping, construction, seeding and shipping services.

n As mining progresses, the disturbed land at the Wishbone Hill mine will be returned to wildlife habitat with emphasis on the re-establishment of wood browse species for moose. The secondary post-mining land use will focus on the establishment of a trail system to enhance recreational opportunities for the public. These land uses are consistent with the land management plan for the Matanuska Valley Moose Range.

n Revegetation test plots on Wishbone Hill have been maintained by UCM for the last 22 years and demonstrate that the disturbed mined land can be returned to productive moose habitat.

n Over the years, UCM has conducted fisheries studies and field sampling work on Moose and Buffalo creeks to establish long-term baseline data on the aquatic resources.

n The Wishbone Hill coal mine has been permitted by the Division of Natural Resources since 1991. To keep the permit in a refreshed state, baseline studies are routinely updated with new data obtained from ongoing environmental monitoring programs. In conjunction with the renewal process, the permit goes through an extensive regulatory review process every five years.

• State regulatory agencies support the efforts of Usibelli because they have a long-standing record of abiding by the rules and are good stewards of the land, air and water.

Usibelli Coal Mine is proof of what an Alaska business means to our state — economically and environmentally. They walk the talk and provide every Alaskan the benefits of their experience and social consciousness.

Kay Slack represents the Mat-Su Business Alliance Inc. MSBA is a collective voice for Mat-Su Valley businesses, focusing on the promotion of business development, family wage jobs and responsible local government.