The Beautiful Matanuska Valley, alaskacoal.or
Wishbone Hill UPDATE November 2010
The proposed Wishbone Hill coal strip mine is located approximately 5 miles west of Sutton and 10 miles north of Palmer, directly across Moose Creek from a beautiful residential neighborhood. Although there was some coal mining activity in the early 20th century, Wishbone Hill has become a landmark surrounded by residential communities in Alaska’s Matanuska Valley.
Basic Facts:
- Wishbone Hill is located 40 miles northeast of Anchorage, 10 miles north of Palmer, 5 miles west of Sutton, and immediately east of the Moose Creek/Soapstone Community in Alaska’s Matanuska Valley.
- Since the 2000 census, the borough has been the fastest growing area of the state and among the top 40 fastest growing communities in the country.
- Commercial production of coal in the area began in 1916, when military steamships relied on coal, and continued through 1968.
- Wishbone Hill leases were purchased in 1983 by the Japan-based energy company Idemitsu Kosan. In 1997, Usibelli Coal Mine finalized the purchase of coal leases on 7,343 acres.
- There are an estimated 14 million tons of surface minable bituminous coal.
- The Wishbone Hill coal would be exported to Asia, and would not reduce Alaskan’s energy concerns at all.
- According to UCM , mining could begin as early as 2012.
- UCM has stated that if the mine goes in, there will be regular blasting and up to 100 tandem trailer coal trucks a day transporting the coal to its destination somewhere in the Mat-Su. They refuse to divulge where that destination is.
- As planned the mine would operate for 12 years
Permits:
- UCM holds a surface coal mining permit for the Wishbone Hill leases from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources that is valid through 2011.
- UCM is in the pre-application process for an air quality permit with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Community Concerns:
- Area communities value their quality of life, health, safety, security, quiet, clean air, clean water, fish, wildlife, and scenery. A coal strip mine is at odds with all of these values.
- A coal strip mine will make area property values plummet.
- The Matanuska Valley Moose Range is an increasingly popular destination for recreational pursuits such as fishing, snowmachining, hiking, hunting, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking.
- This coal mine will hurt tourism.
- Coal combustion in Asia is having a major impact on Alaska’s wild fisheries in the form of mercury pollution and ocean acidification.
- This mine will threaten the recently restored King salmon run on Moose Creek
- 108 families live less than one mile from the mine site. A residential neighborhood is no place for a coal strip mine.
- Blasting will be heard by folks living as far away as Palmer and Lazy Mountain.
- Coal dust, with it’s associated negative health effects, will be impossible to control in the Mat Valley wind.
- Heavy truck traffic on public roads will decrease the safety of our neighborhoods.
- This one mine could increase the likelihood of other mines being developed in the Mat Vally in the future.
How to Help:
- Become a member of Castle Mountain Coalition
- Donate to CMC
- Contact us at coalcommittee@gmail.com to join an e-mail list and receive updates and action alerts.
- For more information about the proposed Wishbone Hill Mine visit:
http://www.alaskacoal.org/learn-more/wishbone-hill/
Wishbone Hill Coal Mine Site