What You Can Do

It's important that we let our politicians know that the Chuitna Coal Strip Mine will harm wilderness, wildlife, streams and communities located within or near the Chuitna River watershed. Contact your legislators  today and ask them to protect our valuable salmon resources. Let them know that mining through salmon streams is unacceptable - clearly crossing the line of responsible mining.

Sample Letter:

Dear ____________,

As an Alaskan, I am concerned about the adverse impacts that PacRim Coal’s proposed Chuitna Coal Strip Mine would have on the pristine habitats of the Chuitna River watershed and the communities that rely on this area for recreational, subsistence, and commercial activities. This mine would destroy the surrounding watershed and dump billions of gallons of mining waste into rich fisheries habitat every year.

Current plans submitted by PacRim Coal call for directly mining through 11 miles of salmon spawning and rearing habitat of Middle Creek, an important tributary that produces 20 % of the Silver Salmon for the entire Chuitna River.
 
Alaska has never before allowed direct mining through a salmon stream, and to do so would set a terrible precedent.

Sustainable fisheries are far more valuable to the citizens of Alaska than short-sighted proposals that will irrevocably alter the habitat upon which fish and wildlife depend.  Protecting the Chuitna watershed will support local economies based on commercial and sport fisheries as well as subsistence harvest. 

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

_____________

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Also please consider sending a letter to the Governor and the legislators from the district:

Governor Sean Parnell
Juneau Office
P.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001

Click here to send an e-mail to Governor Parnell

State Senator Albert Kookesh
State Capitol, Room 11
Juneau, AK  99801-1182

Email Comments Here

State Representative Woodie Salmon
State Capitol, Room 114
Juneau, AK 99801-1182

You can also write a letter to the editor, and let your community know that the Chuitna Coal Mine is not in the best interest of Alaska, its citizens, or its environment.

1 (800) 478-4200

Email: letters@adn.com

250 words

(907) 376-5225

Email: editor@alaska.net