Juneau economist Gregg Erickson’s presentation was a valuable discussion of changes Haines and Klukwan will face if a large industrial mine goes forward in the Chilkat headwaters.
One important point was that Constantine Metal Resources is unlikely to be the mine’s eventual developer. While Constantine has shown some willingness to engage the community, Haines and Klukwan have no assurance the eventual developer will be concerned with water quality, fish, or the wellbeing of local people. Gregg Erickson’s assertion that federal and state agencies favor industry and will not protect communities from adverse impacts was not reassuring, especially considering his many years of working within state government.
If Constantine is sincere, they should be forthcoming with specific information about what the eventual mine is likely to look like: how soon? How big? For how many years? How many trucks per day on the highway? How many imported vs. local jobs? Will there be a tailings dam? Is there any way the mine could be built without one? Will there be “treatment in perpetuity,” an absurd concept?
Laurie Mastrella