The Haines chapter of the Alaska Miners Association hosted the final forum of the election season this week where candidates answered questions related to the future of mining in the Chilkat Valley and Constantine Metal Resources exploration at the Palmer Project.
Liz Cornejo, former vice-president of community affairs of Constantine, hosted the forum via Zoom. Before and between the questions, she presented several slides detailing the benefits the mining industry has to the state, region and local economies along with the status of the Palmer Project exploration.
When asked if they support mining in the Chilkat Valley, the majority of the candidates said they would and touted the regulations mining companies would have to follow.
“I don’t have any trouble with the exploration that’s going on,” assembly candidate Helen Alten said. “I would need to know more about the process over time. The answer is: It depends. It depends on what the options are and what people are saying. My first concerns are human safety and the fishing industry. I want to make sure that’s not impacted by anything.”
Incumbent Mayor Jan Hill said she supports responsible mining. “I am a member of the Haines chapter of the AMA and actively involved in that organization. I do believe responsible mining and responsible fishing do mix. I think we can have both.”
Incumbent assembly candidate Brenda Josephson also said she supports “responsible resource development,” cited strict state and federal regulations and said that the Haines Borough Assembly won’t be involved in that process.
“It’s not the Haines Borough that’s going to be making a decision on the Palmer Project,” Josephson said. “There’s a lot of conversation about the worst case scenarios. That happened. Most of them are highlighting foreign countries.”
Assembly incumbent Jerry Lapp said he wouldn’t support all mining projects, and listed a large open-pit mine as an example.
“I don’t think I could support something like that,” Lapp said. “But an underground mine that would have a very small footprint, I could support that.”
Mayoral candidate Douglas Olerud said he would love to see a mine in the valley and also touted the regulations any mining company would have to comply with.
“We’re using these resources in our everyday lives,” Olerud said. “As long as it can be done safely, we should have those jobs in the community.”
Assembly candidate Cheryl Stickler said any mining project would require strong collaboration between the company and the public.
“I’m not worried about the impact of the mine on the environment when we have companies coming in who are dedicated to following the state and federal guidelines,” Stickler said.
Assembly candidate Carol Tuynman acknowledged the economic benefits a mine could have in the Chilkat Valley, but said the community needs to have deeper conversations about its concerns.
“There are a lot of things not being put out in the conversation at this time. There are other things that people are concerned about even with good regulation,” Tuynman said. “I would like to see more stakeholders come to the table, where people are really truly working on what their concerns are, how things can be mitigated or if they’re realistic.”
Assembly candidate Caitie Kirby was absent from the forum because she had to work. Kirby’s answer to the question was included in a prepared statement that Cornejo read at the beginning of the forum.
“There are places with mines that successfully create good jobs and revenue to the economy and try to do so with as little environmental impact as possible,”
Kirby’s statement read. “I don’t believe the Chilkat valley is the right place for a mine of the size and type proposed in the Palmer Project. The risk of irreparable damage to our home combined with the potential for a boom-bust economy crash is too great.”
Cornejo asked the candidates what plans they have to “help double the number of mine workers commuting from Haines.”
All of the candidates discussed improving transportation infrastructure that would allow local miners to travel more easily, especially in light of recent cuts to the ferry system.
Stickler said Haines should encourage opportunities for graduating seniors to enter the mining industry.
“It’s important to encourage our young people, as they discuss post-secondary training opportunities, to keep the mining industry in mind,” Stickler said.
Alten encouraged listeners to vote for Alaska Ballot Measure 1, which would increase taxes on the North Slope oil fields and potentially generate more state revenue for the state ferry service. She also suggested subsidizing Allen Marine boat charters between Haines and Juneau.
Hill said transportation infrastructure should be a top priority and that the school should create mining history and vocational classes.
Lapp and Olerud said the government should support a Juneau road. Lapp said the community should support further exploration at the Palmer Project to promote jobs and the local economy.
“Exploration of any mines, that can go on for years and that supports our town and that supports all the businesses in town,” Lapp said.
Cornejo asked if candidates would like to discuss partnering with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) on funding the Lutak Dock. The partnership would support the mining industry, borough clerk Alekka Fullerton said earlier this month in regard to discussions with AIDEA representatives.
Hill, Olerud and Lapp agreed the borough should pursue discussions with AIDEA.
Josephson said the borough has been applying for grants to fund Lutak Dock reconstruction for years to no avail.
“The worst thing we could do is not move forward with a shovel-ready project,” Josephson said. “We do have the enterprise funds to bring forward a shovel-ready project. By bringing forward a shovel-ready project we will be positioned to apply for grants and other funding opportunities which get more attention when it’s shovel ready.”
Haines Chamber of Commerce Director Tracey Harmon asked the candidates what role the chamber and the Haines Economic Development Corporation have in the valley’s mining industry.
“I think their role is exactly as it’s spelled out in their (nonprofit) designations,” Olerud said. “HEDC, their mission is to gather facts and information in a nonpartisan way showing both the pros and the cons of any kind of development or any kind of project happening in Haines. As far as economic development and the chamber, their job is to advocate on behalf of those.”
Stickler and Tuynman both stressed the need for the organizations to collaborate on economic issues.
Josephson and Lapp both said they were disappointed when HEDC pulled out of the Chilkat Mining Forum Committee. Josephson added that there should be more diversity among the interests on the HEDC board.
HEDC withdrew from the mining forum committee last year to avoid any perception of bias, according to the corporation’s statement at the time.