Anchorage Daily News

WASILLA -- A proposed permit to allow exploratory coal drilling around the Matanuska Valley community of Chickaloon prompted a deluge of responses from concerned residents and others.

More than 100 people submitted written comments to the state by the Feb. 28 deadline, most opposed to but a few in favor of issuing the permit. That compares to a usual handful of responses on such applications, said Bruce Buzby, the state coal resource program manager with the Department of Natural Resources.

"It's certainly a lot for an exploration permit," he said.

If issued, the permit would allow a Vancouver, British Columbia-based company, Full Metal Minerals (USA) Inc. to drill exploratory holes and dig test trenches on 22,000 acres near Castle Mountain it leased last year from the state Mental Health Trust Authority.

Comments arrived from big-game guides who hunt moose and sheep in the area to Anchorage residents with retirement homes, but many shared a common theme: coal exploration would threaten the wilderness that makes Chickaloon special.

Responses came from area residents, but also Eagle River, Girdwood and as far away as Oregon.

Several focused on what they described as flaws with the proposed permit, including a need for better wildlife studies before drilling, greater setbacks from water bodies, a better plan for dust control and a review under the state's coastal management plan because of the area's proximity to the Matanuska River.

State fish and game officials also expressed concerns, stating the company needed to submit more detailed plans about where it planned to drill.

The permit also failed to take into account important habitat for moose rutting and Dall sheep lambing, they said.

Some comments noted apparent mistakes: A planned access trail for exploration, known as the Chickaloon Road, crosses private land, and part of the property is barred from coal mining under a state management plan.

Buzby, however, said, there is legal access to the trail. While the management plan bars coal mining, a legal order enforcing the plan does not, he said.

The Department of Natural Resources failed to initially solicit comments from the state Fish and Game Department.

Buzby said the agency notified the habitat division, but in retrospect should have included fish and game since the agency shares management of the Matanuska Valley Moose Range, within which much of the leased land lies.

The Natural Resources Department plans to ask for more detailed drilling plans from the company, he said.

While most comments expressed opposition to coal exploration, a handful, including Chickaloon residents, said they thought the development could be done safely and were happy with reclamation work on past coal mining in the area.

Buzby said the state is sorting through the comments and plans to address each point in a final decision likely to be finished in late April.

That decision, which could include approving or denying the permit, can be appealed, he said.

Reporter S.J. Komarnitsky can be reached at skomarnitsky@adn.com or 352-6714.

"I know we speak for most, if not all, of our neighbors when we say that we strongly object to the intrusion, noise pollution, and wildlife issues inherent in a project such as this."

-- Caroline and Bill Earl, Chickaloon

"The perils of coal mining, be it open pit, mountain top removal, or strip mining, are well documented and real. The fact that coal is bountiful and cheap should not be overweighted by the detrimental effects of coal mining and coal use."

-- Bob Gengler, Eagle River

"I am appalled and insulted by the gall of the Mental Health Trust and the Department of Natural Resources in leasing land for an outdated and archaic form of energy surrounding a substantial population of people who truly love the land they live on and around."

-- Derek Ruckel, owns 12 acres in Chickaloon.

"I come from Pennsylvania where strip mining was done wrong and also the reclamation was done right as you guys will see that it will be done here. It is a positive to the environment and leaves us with mineral (coal) for the benefit of the country to use. The exploration should (must) go on."

-- Chuck Gerwig, 20 miles from Chickaloon.

"We have lived on Jonesville Road down stream of the Willie Mirak and the Evan Jones mines, swam in their cooling ponds bordered by the tailings piles, and have watched the area reclaimed for recreational uses such as trail riding, hunting, camping, etc without any of the ill effects claimed by the coalition (an opposition group). We are encouraging development of this project."

-- Daniel and Jane Wineinger, Chickaloon

"We drive cars that are manufactured from minerals that are mined. We're connected to a power grid that depends on fossil fuels. Our whole way of life is dependent on extraction of minerals and fuels. It is selfish arrogance to insist that those resources be extracted from others back yards."

-- Marlin Beachy, Sutton