Last Thursday many people testified at the Haines Borough Assembly meeting. They came to ask that the borough officially request that the Department of Natural Resources change a permitting requirement for the Palmer project. But a motion to do so was voted down by the assembly.

The Palmer Project is a zinc, copper and silver mine prospect in the Chilkat Valley, about 35 miles upriver from Haines. The project has operated under a permit that has allowed it to drill in the alpine zone above Glacier Creek. Constantine, who owns the Palmer Project,  is requesting that the Alaska Department of Natural Resources amend their permit to allow them to work a few miles downstream, and set off explosive charges by the Klehini River. In the process, they would clear 20 acres for roads, drill pads, and seismic survey lines. The company also asks DNR to allow them to drive heavy equipment through salmon streams.    

Residents who testified said the proposed activities differ so much from the original permit that the company should go through a new permitting process, including a 90 day public comment period. Thirty  residents spoke at the meeting and ALL asked that the borough support their request for a new permit. 

Russel Kennedy told the assembly that he spoke for many residents. 

Kennedy: “I have a letter here that I’d like to read that has been signed by 170 and counting Haines residents and counting, in the last two weeks. Dear department of natural resources, and Haines Borough Assembly, we are writing this letter to express our deep concerns.”

The letter cites the effects of blasting on wildlife as a reason to go through a thorough re-permitting process.  

Vanessa Calderelli said the project could negatively impact fish.

Calderelli: “I moved here from a place that used to be one of the largest Coho runs in the world. And now they are extinct.”

Lindsay Johnson told the assembly that fishing in the region would be at risk, including thousands of jobs. 

Johnson: “The proposed activities that I was able to see look like they could really damage the resource that feeds, supports my family and that of nearly 2000 permit holders in Southeast, please don’t let them tread on us.”

Eben Sargent voiced concerns about the mining company’s communication.

Sargent: “The way the wastewater treatment permit was handled last year where the results of the dye study were not released until the new permit was tried to steamroll through, it’s a pretty good indication of how this project will be handled when it grows beyond our friends that work in exploration companies to foreign companies that have no interest in the community.”

Two Haines Assembly members work for the mine project – Jerry Lapp and Margaret Jones. And a few residents voiced concerns about that conflict of interest and asked that those members recuse themselves from the vote.

However, Deputy Mayor Sheryl Stickler read through the  relevant section of borough code, and allowed Lapp and Jones to cast a vote.

Stickler: “Because the topic is in regards to an extension, there is no immediate financial interest to be gained from employees. I rule that you can both participate.”

The assembly went on mto vote four to two to not make any official request to the state about the permitting change.

Later in the meeting, Assembly Member Ben Aultman-Moore said the mine’s owner, Constantine, has not made clear what their intentions are.

Aultman-Moore: “How are we supposed to make a public comment if we don’t know the premise of what we are commenting on? Is the exploration for a dry stack or a tailings facility?”

He and other residents got their answer. Liz Cornejo is the vice president of DOWA Alaska, a part owner of Constantine. She attended the meeting and said the new proposed site could be for storing mine waste.

Cornejo: “It’s for potential tailings storage facility. We don’t know what type of facility that would be, that would need a lot more engineering and evaluation.”

Cornejo said she has been advocating within the company for a careful approach to the project.

Cornejo: “When we’ve had our meetings over the last year I’ve been the one raising my hand saying salmon are important to everyone, so let’s talk about the salmon, let’s talk about the crossings, let’s talk to Fins and Game. So that has been heard from the community, that is being passed on to every level of the business. From Tokyo to Newfoundland to Vancouver, to everywhere.”

The person in charge of community relations for the Palmer Project declined to comment for this story.

The comment period about the new blasting activities ends on June 3.

Written comments, questions or requests to view the full application packet should be directed to Sara Church, Telephone (907) 458-6896; Fax: (907) 451-2703 or e-mail:   dnr.fbx.mining@alaska.gov