Anchorage Daily News

If Pebble project follows Red Dog lead, environment will be safe

Regarding Bruce Switzer's Compass ("Red Dog Mine problems offer small preview of Pebble," April 19), the facts show the Red Dog Mine is protecting the stream and has improved the downstream water quality.

Studies before production began document that the water quality in Red Dog Creek was impaired due to the natural weathering of mineralized rock in its valley. Governmental studies note the improvement of downstream water quality compared with pre-mining conditions.

"Post-mining concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc in the water of the main stem of Red Dog Creek are lower than pre-mining conditions," according to EPA's Red Dog Environmental Assessment, January 2006.

In March 2006, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation reported, "Aquatic productivity in the main stem has increased from pre-mining conditions due to effective water management practices and treatment."

To be sure, operating in a remote, frozen, environmentally sensitive and pristine ecosystem poses challenges. In the first year of operation, water flow out of the mine area was more than anticipated. In response, we built a diversion structure, which isolates the creek from mining activity.

The project was completed the next year under a compliance order by consent with the state (not EPA). This solution was effective and has protected the downstream water quality for the last 15 years. On our own initiative, we extended the structure farther upstream to mitigate natural impacts from an area untouched by mining.

Red Dog Mine operates under some of the world's most stringent regulations and complies with 110 permits, regulations, agreements and environmental plans. We work with more than 23 state and federal agencies. Together, we ensure the mine operation is safe and environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.

-- Jim Kulas

environmental superintendent

Red Dog Mine

Have a heart; consider entry fee for canceled race a donation

In response to the April 30 article "Logistics force cancellation of Heart Run":

Seriously? People are asking for a refund from the heart association because the Heart Run was canceled? Unbelievable. Didn't you consider your registration fee a donation? We did! Go run 5 kilometers around town and call it good. Leave your money where it will do its most good!

-- Chris and Kathleen Jones

Wasilla

Genocide Awareness Project is about caring, not condemning

I feel compelled to address concerns and feelings of those opposed to the Genocide Awareness Project present on the UAA campus. First of all, Students for Life is not against anyone. We in no way want to hurt women who have had abortions or anyone involved in the act in any capacity. We simply have two main goals that drive everything that we do.

1. Education: So that people will be able to make informed decisions.

2. Show we care: We care about men, women, the unborn, our nation, etc.

We care about what everyone has to say, and we want to give everyone the opportunity to voice their concerns. In fact, next semester we desire to host a debate or even a public meeting where all are welcome to engage.

Abortion is genocide by definition. Webster's New World Encyclopedia, Prentice Hall General Reference (1992), defines "genocide" as "the deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, racial, religious, political, cultural, ethnic or other group defined by the exterminators as undesirable." Abortion is the deliberate systematic killing of the unborn deemed "unwanted." These unborn people differ from us in just four ways: size, level of development, environment and dependence.

Once again, this is not to condemn anyone. Our intent is to simply reveal the truth about abortion because we care.

-- Julie Thomas, president

Students for Life

Anchorage

Fire Island wind power could be just the first of many successes

It is time for wind power in Alaska. Up to 120 megawatts of electricity can be generated by wind turbines on Fire Island, and private companies would like to construct them.

It is our duty as residents of Alaska and the United States to support alternate energy sources. Not only will they save us money in the long run, they will also help reduce carbon emissions and prevent future conflicts over resources. And if Fire Island succeeds, we must not stop there.

And to those who ask, "Why should we do this?": Why not?

-- Cameron Kuhle

Anchorage

Ads pollute the wedding pages

With utter dismay, I read the wedding announcements on April 21 and saw how the Daily News had complete disregard for those individuals who paid the required fee to have their announcement printed. Three announcements were interrupted with a 3 1/2-inch by 6-inch real estate advertisement. To this day, I have my published announcement in a scrapbook. What is next -- an ad in the middle of an obituary?

-- Kristen Schwarz

Anchorage

Families that abuse handicapped parking hurt those who need it

What is a handicapped parking permit? Does it entitle the whole family of a handicapped person to park in a handicapped parking place?

I have noticed teenagers using parking places reserved for the handicapped. Just because you have a sticker on your car does not give your whole family the right to use the spaces. The same goes for the disabled veteran. Don't let your family use your car and park in the spots that belong to people who need them.

I know this might take some time, but a picture of the person who is handicapped should be on the permit. If a person is guilty of unnecessarily parking in reserved spots, tow the car. Have the police check parking lots every now and then. I'm sure that this can be done.

Treat our handicapped people with respect; don't park in their spots.

-- Tom Ainsworth

Anchorage

BLM destroyed climate change station just as it's most needed

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced that it has destroyed a 30-year-old climate change research installation at East Teshekpuk on the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The BLM will have wasted an estimated 10 million tax dollars in their contractor's accomplishment while leaving an unnecessary fresh scar on the tundra landscape.

The climate change research installation, at an abandoned and plugged exploratory well site, was being used to measure actual temperatures through permafrost, and below, to a depth of about 2,000 feet. The International Permafrost Association, which will hold its ninth international meeting in Fairbanks at the end of July, has long been clamoring for temperature measurements through permafrost as part of the worldwide climate change investigations. East Teshekpuk was one of the few installations worldwide providing this type of actual measurements. However, the BLM, in its scientific innocence, apparently would prefer that such information be obtained through computer modeling and armchair speculation.

The BLM announcement was silent about rehabilitation of the tundra landscape in the years following its contractor's damage or any public hearings concerning the program.

It would appear appropriate that the BLM's announcement came at the April 15 tax time, and about the time that Congress reviews the BLM's budget request for destruction of additional similar permafrost.

-- Max C. Brewer

Anchorage

EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer is a former director of the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory.

Polar bears deserve to be listed as a threatened species

The decision whether polar bears are going to be listed under the Endangered Species Act has been put off too many times. A decision needs to be made.

I think that the polar bears should be listed as threatened. Their habitat is melting because of global warming. The polar bears live on the ice, and when the ice melts, they have to try and swim to land. Polar bears can swim only so far. If they have to go too far because there is not another piece of ice or any land, then they have a chance of drowning.

I realize that this requires dealing with global warming, but if we are not going to do anything to stop harming the environment that the polar bears live in, then they should be placed on the endangered species list. The bears are in danger, and we are to blame.

-- Stephanie Fraser

Anchorage

ADVERTISEMENT