Solutions
As Alaskans, the Chuitna Citizens Coalition supports responsible development, but PacRim’s plans to mine through Middle Creek, a tributary to the Chuitna River identified by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as important to salmon is not responsible development. The destruction of Middle Creek will set a dangerous precedent of trading salmon for dirty coal.
Destroying Alaskan salmon streams to ship dirty coal to Asian coal fired power plants, defies common sense.
It’s time for state lawmakers to enact clear protections for the wild salmon that provide Alaskans with sustainable jobs and a strong economic future by banning mining through a salmon stream. Governor Parnell has stated that he will not trade one resource for another, yet the proposed Chuitna coal strip mine would be such a trade.
There is no law that bans mining through a salmon stream. Currently, state agencies can issue permits allowing the bank-to-bank removal of a salmon stream. The state Constitution clearly states that “fish, forests, wildlife, grasslands, and all other replenishable resources belonging to the state shall be utilized, developed and maintained, on the sustained yield principle…” Yet there is no ban against mining through salmon streams.
So please:
- Visit www.obviouslaw.org and sign the petition in support of banning mining through a salmon stream.
- Tell your friends about www.obviouslaw.org and ask them to sign the petition.
- Join the Obvious Law Facebook group here.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper asking why there is no law banning mining through a salmon stream when salmon are such a valuaable part of a stable Alaskan economy.
- Tell Governor Parnell and your Alaska legislators to uphold the key values in the state Constitution and work for a permanent solution that will protect salmon streams from destruction. To protect the rights of Alaskans – there ought to be a law against mining through a salmon stream (contact details below).
- Contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and tell them not to permit coal strip mining in salmon streams (contact details below).
To contact the Governor:
Use the State of Alaska form to contact the Governor
or write :
Governor Sean Parnell
Alaska State Capitol Building, Third Floor
P.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001
Phone (907) 465-3500
Fax (907) 465-3532
For a list of AK State Legislators go to:
Legislator List (PDF)
To contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
Cora Campbell, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau AK 99811-5526
Phone:(907) 465-4100
FAX: (907) 465-2332
