Constantine, in conjunction with a corrupt state DNR rubber-stamping permit process, is showing bad faith to the communities of Haines and Klukwan with their upcoming 30-day permit review for a wastewater management permit for further exploratory activities in the headwaters of the Chilkat River. They are predicting 200 gallons/minute, which translates to 288,000 gallons per day of mining wastewater discharge, a significant amount that we are to believe “will not reach surface water”.

In Liz Conejo’s presentation to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council last Wednesday, she noted discoveries to date of 14 million tons of mineralized ore could be mined from the upper reaches of the Chilkat, 10 million tons from Glacier Creek Valley and 4 million tons from Porcupine area.

Furthermore, Conejo stated, a conceptual mine plan “that could change in future,” she noted will be released sometime this spring AFTER comments for the wastewater permit application are due on May 15th, short notice in itself.

The borough assembly and others officially commenting should insist that the community have time to review the conceptual build out plan—PRIOR to any public comment deadline for expanded mining exploration and this wastewater discharge permit.

It’s way past time for Constantine to put the information on the table for public review before making backroom deals with those in DNR whose services we are told to “trust”.

Kathleen Menke