More on the Susitna Dam Project

24 July 2012
10:17 PM

Sunrise at	4:25 AM	in direction	34°	Northeast
Sunset at	11:27 PM	in direction	325°	Northwest

Civil Twilight all day

My son, Lorien, taped the program found at the following link regarding the latest development of the Susitna Dam.  He does a good job of keeping a balanced perspective (as befits the profession).  I do not have as balanced a view.  I think I love the planet and what it offers more than the needs of we humans who seem best at destroying and killing things for the sake of our comfort or pleasure.

Susitna Dam Project


The issues raised in the debate for the Susitna Dam Project are interesting in that the State of Alaska appears to be committed to promoting both ventures.  I find that interesting because I wonder why the State government has become increasingly committed to development and alteration of fragile eco-systems.  It is true the state is huge.  There is no disagreeing with that, but none of the ecosystems here are robust, in my very humble opinion.

The state persisted in allowing Pebble Mine to continue the licensing process and now the dam is also being given the nod to proceed with licensing by the state.  Mines in general, and those mines run by the proposed owners of Pebble Man, in particular, do not have a good track record with maintaining healthy environments.  But the State of Alaska has determined it has the right, superceeding those of native peoples in the region, to sanction its pursuit of licensing.  It has also shown its willingness to file suit against the Federal government to ensure it does not have the same right to disallow the project based on EPA standards.

Susitna Dam is desirable, if the claims are true, because it will power the burgeoning Susitna Valley's population.  That region has seen the fastest growth in the State of Alaska and will continue to grow - whether small towns like Talkeetna want it or not.  The climate is relatively mild; the region is close to Anchorage which means services, consumer goods, and easy access to others parts of the state as well as Outside.  It will grow and the communities are faced with coal power or hydroelectric power to sustain that growth.

What is motivating the state, is the same focus, I would wager - Growth is desirable.  Pebble Mine will encourage a degree of growth and tax revenue for the state.  It will not offer all that many jobs, but it will offer some.  The possible risk of altering salmon population due to the effects of pollution is not considered a problem when weighed against possible economic growth -  that much is clear.

I think those who see the long term effects on the environment could easily lose both battles.  I am a pessimist, but I saw Colorado grow to the point where it was almost unbearable.  And in this state, I have seen the huge pit of the Fort Knox gold mine.  Really, money speaks much louder than the creatures and plant communities of Alaska.  Regarding growth in the South Central borough of Susitna-Matanuska, everyone but those who are comfortable with few services, like living among wildlife more than human neighbors, and prefer wilderness over a mown lawn want what growth brings.  Those moving into the Wasilla region are not necessarily people who came to Alaska to live in the rough as the early settlers did.  They are pulled to the allure of Alaska without the discomfort.