What are your priorities?

To the editor:

I am getting tired of listening to idiots expound on connecting King Cove to the airport at Cold Bay. I have made many trips to King Cove, many more to Cold Bay.

The issue is of course the impact on the migratory waterfowl in the Izembek refuge. The prime issue is the construction of a road linking Cold Bay with King Cove.

There has existed for about 70 years an extensive road system in and about the Izembek refuge. This was built commencing in 1942, when the Cold Bay Airport was built, and expanded as the military installation Ft. Randall was built. There are miles of gravel roads in this area. I know, I have driven on them hunting geese and ptarmigan. In 1945, a massive training program, “Project Hula,” existed at Cold Bay. At any given time, there were at least 1,500 troops on site participating. In subsequent years there was a small U.S. Air Force facility at Cold Bay. The geese didn’t seem to be affected by this level of activity, which was probably a hundredfold over and above what occurs today.

I lost a very good friend in the crash of a Beech King Air at King Cove a number of years ago. It can be a very dangerous airport due to limited visibility, low ceiling and ferocious winds all at the same time.

This “no road “argument has no reasonable basis and should be considered appropriately by clear-thinking people. Geese: minimal to no impact. People of King Cove: potentially major life-or-death impact. Where are your priorities?

Mike Koskovich

Wasilla