Today the State Department of Natural Resources is set to hear arguments on both sides of water rights for salmon streams at the Upper Cook Inlet’s Chuitna River where a coal mine is proposed.
The Chuitna Citizen’s Coalition and Cook Inlet Keepers have voiced their concerns over the large scale mine dewatering the 20 square miles of salmon habitat and digging down 300 feet into the Chuit River.
Bob Shavelson with the Cook Inlet Keepers…
“It would be the first time in Alaska’s state history that we would allow an outside corporation to mine completely through a salmon stream. And the purpose is to ship coal to China. And it’s really a very dangerous precedent because if they can do it here in Cook Inlet they will be able to do it anywhere in the state.”
Previously Chuitna Coal Mine’s Project Manager Dan Graham said the permitting, debates, and environmental concerns are just part of the process.
Graham: “Well I think any responsible developer, you try to do your best to accommodate concerns and issues, particularly local residents as well as the agencies and all of the other reviewers, that’s part of the review process, you get input on concerns and see which ones you can address and address them as best you can.”
DNR Water Chief Dave Schade agreed that the water rights decision is precedent setting, and that it comes down to “saying yes to one applicant, and no to the other.”
During the public comment period on the issue, over 7,000 statements were received, a majority of them requesting protection for salmon habitat.
The hearing is scheduled for today at the US Federal Building Annex in Anchorage.
A decision is expected on or before October 9.