At the Dec. 7 Haines Economic Development Committee meeting, Sue Chasen invited HEDC to take a seat on the Chilkat Valley Mining Committee to lead an economic impact study on Constantine Metals’ mineral exploration project 30 miles north of Haines.

“What’s in it for Haines?” Chasen posed. “Could the community affect the development and work through the project with the eyes of what (it) wants to get from the mining company when it’s all over?”

Chasen, a retired research scientist in mineral exploration and member of Chilkat Valley Mining Committee, told HEDC that her intention was to merge two groups interested in looking at the implications of resource extraction in Haines.

“One of my particular skills is getting people to talk to each other that might not,” Chasen said. “Innovation and good ideas always occur on the boundaries of different disciplines.”

On Feb. 24, the Chilkat Valley Mining Committee will hold their third event, hosting two or three speakers to talk on a chosen theme. The theme is community impacts and solutions to mining, according to committee co-chair Liz Cornejo, who is also Constantine’s vice president of community and external affairs. Margaret Friedenauer, HEDC executive director, said that such studies for resource development projects “have been an ongoing request from a few community members.”

“It isn’t about starting a new group,” Chasen told HEDC. “I’m trying to make you all aware that there is this forum going on.”

For the February forum, the mining committee, comprised of 18 members representing 9 organizations, suggested and voted on speakers to bring to Haines.

Invitations have been sent to Lance Miller, a former Juneau Economic Development Council member who now works for NANA Regional Corporation, and Ben Chalmers, vice president of sustainable development for Mining Association of Canada. Only Miller can attend, leaving the committee needing two more speakers.

Chasen proposed Stratos, an environmental consultant group based in Ontario, Canada. Though they are still in the running to speak at the mining forum, Chasen has shifted her focus to proposing Stratos conduct an economic impact study on a potential mineral mine.

“As I was researching, it came to my attention that communities are working early on in this stage with the mining company to maximize the development,” Chasen said.

Upon her request, Stratos sent Chasen a two-page document outlining “Aligning Socio-Economic Benefits with Haines’ Long-Term Vision and Community Priorities.”

In it, Stratos defined emerging best practices. “We are now seeing a fundamental shift towards identifying and maximizing positive impacts of resource development, while still minimizing negative impacts,” it said.

Chasen cited an example of a practice in Mayo, Yukon.

“The government wanted to put in a dam but the town didn’t want a dam, and the government came back to them and said, ‘How about if we give you a new store and a baseball diamond?’ and the community said ‘You’re up,’” Chasen said. “That was a case where it was a win-win and the community participated.”

HEDC president Heather Shade asked Chasen if the miners committee considered working directly with Stratos on their own. Chasen said the reason she wants HEDC to join the committee is to represent a neutral party that “isn’t (on) one side or the other.”

At the meeting, Gershon Cohen said that an economic impact study of the mine is very premature because currently the borough isn’t sure whether or not they will have any influence, or if the mine will happen at all.

“Is it presuming it’s going to happen? If a big copper mine opens up somewhere else in the world and there’s big competition, this might not happen,” he said.

“Being prepared is always a good idea,” Chasen said. “And who knows what the next project might be.”

HEDC treasurer Greg Schlachter said that Chasen’s request is aligned with the timber sale economic impact study the committee produced this year.

“The timber sale may or may not happen, (but) we’re trying to put the community in the right position if it were to happen and maximize the greatest benefits,” Schlachter said. “We are understanding of what you’re asking.”

In April, HEDC released a scoping document for the proposed 10-year timber sale on University of Alaska’s land in the Haines Borough to serve as a planning tool if the sale progresses.

Chasen said that to bring Stratos to Haines for a conversation would cost about $7,500, but that they have offered a free consultation over the phone to see if a partnership might work.

“One of the concerns that I did bring to them is that the community is pretty divided and they told me they’re not arbitrators, they’re not moderators, they’re not mediators,” Chasen said. “They want to work with a group that’s willing to talk to each other.”

HEDC directed the manager to follow-up with Stratos to get more information, and also with Cornejo, about their invitation to the group.

Cornejo told the CVN that any group can join the mining committee, so long as they are voted in by at least 70 percent of its members.

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