Before becoming a state we had to prove we could run the state without subsidies. Our vast natural resources of timber, fish, minerals, and oil was our proof. Our constitution specifies that all these resources belong to its peoples. After statehood we outlawed corporate owned fish traps, instituted long-term timber contracts, and expanded mineral and oil exploration. The Native land claims/oil pipeline controversy was settled and the Natives were awarded 44 million acres and $1 billion and opted for regional Native corporations. Each village could select land near or far from its village. Klukwan selected 13,000 acres of high-grade timber 350 miles from its village and agreed to abide by state laws.
Before statehood, mining was and still is our No. 1 industry with over 100 mostly hard-rock mines in S.E. The two big Juneau mines dumped their tailings on their respective beaches creating a beautiful sand beach for Douglas and valuable fill for the Thane Road, the Juneau tank farm and industrial area. There has never been a conflict between mining and fishing in S.E. To imply otherwise by the anti-mining/anti-logging extremist is ludicrous. Miners don’t kill fish. Fishermen kill fish. The Klukwan elders should be ashamed for taking their bait, hook, line, and sinker. Tier 3 is a divide and conquer tactic and nothing more.
Dave Werner