Only 4.2% (18 million acres) of land in Alaska is privately owned. West Virginia, one of the smallest states has 16 million acres total. Several states are 95% privately owned.
I hear people say no Pebble, no Donlin, no timber roads. I’m inclined to say no also, because chances are any mine or timber endeavor won’t pay an appropriate tax and oversight might be lacking. Mining, if done correctly, can leave a small imprint and be healthy for Alaska. Greens Creek Mine is a good example; tailings are made into a cement slurry and put back where they came from.
I want industry in Alaska, but it must come with proper taxation and in a manner we approve of. Is there no middle ground? In Texas, that private land is for sale, and a company with ownership has, as they say, “ninetenths of the law.” We Alaskans have control to regulate and receive fair value for our land. As it is, we are being cheated with our oil tax rate. The lowest tax rate for North Sea oil is 25%. Comparatively, ours is a slap in the face. Some mines pay as little as 2% tax.
When will our elected officials get a backbone, and when will those against advancing Alaska into the future realize the power they have? There is always a better way, and it requires an open mind to find it.
— William P. Beltz
Anchorage
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