A Mine in Juneau?

I hope 2011 is beginning well for you, and that you are keeping warm and not getting blown away!

The Assembly’s January 10 meeting had nothing very exciting to report. The January 11 Planning Commission began their hearing on the revised noise or disturbing the peace ordinance. It was continued to the next Planning Commission meeting. After their deliberations are complete, it will come to the Assembly.

On January 3 the Assembly met as a Committee of the Whole to again address Assembly goals for the year. The COW minutes recount the discussion. The revised goals will come to us again for final approval. Most of them are fairly non-controversial: work on solid waste management, address childcare and homelessness, promote energy efficiency, promote fisheries development.

The one that has attracted the most attention is currently worded as “Review the potential development of the AJ Mine.” This was proposed by David Stone and supported by Mayor Botelho. The Mayor proposed creating a citizen task force to “review whether the idea should be pursued and said he was ready to appoint a committee to do the review. Much has changed regarding technology and performance of existing mines. The location of the mine was the major issue in previous discussions as it is in the heart of the downtown area. He is willing to explore this because he recognizes technologies have changed and the impacts outside the mine may have changed since the last review.” We have received a number of comments from citizens who recall the great divisiveness this issue raised in the community the last time it was addressed.

Here is what I see as the main motivator for this. The three senior members of the Assembly, Mayor Botelho, Deputy Mayor Sanford and Finance Committee Chair Stone have all expressed their deep concern about the economic future of Juneau. They see continued flat or declining population for Juneau and a continued decline throughout Southeast Alaska. They note the uncertain fiscal future of a state with declining oil production and our dependence on state revenue sharing. They note the never ending efforts by some to move the capital (Rep. Neuman of Wasilla has pre-filed a bill to build a new Legislative Hall – the implication being it would be constructed up North). Mr. Sanford made an impassioned plea at our last meeting that we had to move forward with promotion of mining and other economic development.

I share the concern that we need to promote Juneau’s economic development. I share the concern about our potential decline, and I disagree with those who see no problem in our decline. However, there is also a potential for Juneau to be so fearful of the future that we neglect the environmental and social safeguards that make Juneau a desirable place to live. Any moves in the direction of mine development in downtown Juneau must be done with extreme caution and care and with total transparency to the citizens of Juneau.

There are many who have already made up their minds about this issue. Some see a mine as the ultimate salvation of Juneau because it is partially owned by the Borough which would reap significant financial gains from gold production. Others condemn this idea as the ultimate evil that will lead to the destruction of our community. It is my goal to see this examination move forward as a mechanism to get information and understanding of the potential impacts- both good and bad and to make sure any decision is made not from fear, but from considered balancing of costs and benefits. We must not be afraid to address controversial issues, but we must pursue them with caution, openness and civility. We’re all together in this.