I appreciate the community discussion that has started regarding the Constantine mine. However, I do not approve of the name-calling. Name-calling and labeling put walls around people and make it difficult to have constructive engagement. This creates an “us” and “them” atmosphere that is stifling and sometimes even frightening. We all share this valley and we are here together. In addition to keeping the natural environment healthy we have to keep our social and community environment healthy. Last week’s letter to the editor blaming the “greenies” is a case in point. Let us all remember that green is the color of healthy trees and plants and a sign of spring. People should not be denigrated because they want to hold the Constantine mine to the highest possible standards and keep this area free from damaging acid-mine drainage. Another question brought up last week asked why should the Chilkat Valley be offered the highest protection? One of the qualifying criteria for Outstanding National Resource Water Designation is that the water must be “exceptional, important, unique, or sensitive ecologically…” It can be easy for some of us who live here to forget that visitors come from all over the world to experience the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve and witness the world’s largest gathering of bald eagles. This phenomenon is exceptional, important, unique and sensitive ecologically. The eagles are here because of the salmon, and the salmon thrive because of clean water. This is not something we should take for granted.
Joe Ordonez