Mining steering committee plans forum on issues A new mining steering committee recently organized by Takshanuk Watershed Council plans to educate the public through a “comprehensive and nonbiased” mining education forum this fall.
Takshanuk executive director Meredith Pochardt said the group, made up of representatives from the Haines Borough and various mining, fishing and conservation organizations, had its second meeting Friday to begin planning the Haines forum.
Representatives include Pochardt, Mike Mackowiak for the Alaska Miners Association; Haines Borough Mayor Jan Hill; Ted Hart for the Chilkoot Indian Association; Pat Warren for the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan; Ryan Cook or Colin Taylor for Lynn Canal Gillnet Association; Jerry Lapp for Haines Chamber of Commerce; Liz Cornejo for the Constantine Palmer Project; Elizabeth Jurgeleit for Lynn Canal Conservation; and Kendra Knight or Jessie Badger for the Palmer family.
(The Palmer family represents the mining claim where Constantine Metal Resources is investigating the potential for a large, underground mine near the Canada Border. Merrill Palmer is president of companies Alyu Mining Inc. and Haines Mining & Exploration Inc., which own the claims. BLM rents those claims for the Constantine exploration.)
“I view all the steering committee participants on a level playing field,” Pochardt said, adding that the watershed council wanted to ensure equal representation among stakeholders.
Representatives from United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Association, state Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, state Department of Natural Resources, Haines Sportsman’s Association, Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Committee, Alaska Mental Health Trust and the Haines Economic Development Corporation will take on an advisory role to the committee.
The watershed council, with feedback from other groups, invited the initial group of steering committee organizations. At the first meeting, other organizations were identified and also invited.
Liz Cornejo of Constantine Metal Resources said the committee is similar to one put together in late 2014 to organize a mining forum at the Chilkat Center and out the highway April 2015.
She said some criticism received about the last forum was that presentations from experts were too technical and full of jargon, which made information hard to understand.
“My focus is what does the audience want to hear? It’s not necessarily about what I think about things. How do we work together (as a steering committee) to get the best information to the people who need it?” Cornejo said. “I might have a different perception of what’s common knowledge. People might agree to disagree on certain topics, but at least they’re well-informed.”
Pochardt said she will ensure information presented is scientific and factual to prevent bias. The committee will vet presenters and information to meet those guidelines, she said.
So far, the committee is “trying to dive into the nitty gritty and details of hosting this forum,” Pochardt said. The conference will feature speakers on a variety of topics.
“We are planning the initial forum for fall 2017, but would also like to continue the efforts with education presentations/discussions in the future. We don’t see this group being a one-time effort, but continually working to bring unbiased information to the community,” Pochardt said. “For us as a community, to really understand this topic, we need to dive into it.”
Cornejo said she was hopeful this would be a dynamic group that could address new topics involving mining in the community as the Constantine exploration project progresses.
Cary Weishahn, Lynn Canal Conservation board member, said LCC’s ongoing objective regarding mining education is to inform the community about the environmental, social and economic impacts of mining, especially the impacts on fish and wildlife from acid mine drainage.
Mackowiak, representing the Alaska Miners Association, said the committee plans to release a flier soliciting questions and concerns from the community.
“Takshanuk wanted to present a forum for the community that answered specifics about mining possibilities in valley,” Mackowiak said. “We have stakeholders to make it as unbiased, equitable and information-rich as possible.”
Steering committee meetings are not open to the public and membership is finalized, but Pochardt said if others are interested in serving in an advisory role, they should contact one of the steering committee representatives. The group plans to meet again at 5:30 p.m. May 11 at the public library.