The U.S. Forest Service has extended the public comment period in connection with a planned expansion of Hecla Greens Creek mine. Hecla Greens Creek mine to May 23 following public requests for additional time.
The agency is planning to devote more time to addressing concerns regarding the mine’s potential impact on subsistence activities in Admiralty Island, where it is located.
The public comment period began in March when the Forest Service released a draft environmental impact statement for four different plans for expanding mining’s facility for storing waste. Hecla believes it needs to expand its storage space to operate the mine past 2031.
Matthew Reece is the project’s director. He says that the Forest Service won’t begin their formal review of comments until close of the month however, the public’s reaction to date was mixed.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Both in support and in opposition, but a form of support conditional to the other,” he added. “And in light of certain public comments and concerns that we heard and listened to, we decided to hold another subsistence hearing .”
The most significant concerns have been centered around the possibility of heavy metal contamination to be found in the forests surrounding the mine and Hawk Inlet, an important fishing and hunting ground close to the mine’s site for storing waste.
Angoon is a community in Angoon particularly rely on subsistence activities in the vicinity of the mine.
This week it was reported that the Forest Service announced and then promptly postponed the hearing for testimony on subsistence close to Greens Creek.
Reece states that they had planned to have the meeting held before the comment period closed however the federal rules require that there be a thirty-day public announcement. The Forest Service is working with officials from Angoon to arrange an alternative date.
The testimony of the hearing will be considered in conjunction with the comments received via an official public comments procedure.
It will have an open-ended discussion about events in and surrounding Angoon on the weekend of May 12. Although the possibility of expansion for the mine is likely to be a topic of discussion but the discussion might be broader and include other ongoing projects to develop Angoon, including the proposed hydropower plant for the city and efforts to increase tourism in the area.
Michael Downs is the Forest Service District Ranger for Admiralty Island National Monument. The main objective this meeting has is restore connections between the agency as well as the community following the recent change of Angoon’s tribal as well as city leaders.
” style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”They would like to be able to see their Forest Service more out there,” Downs said. “So we’re working to go on more trips and making sure that they’re heard. trying to be a responsive .”
Members of Greens Creek will attend the meeting.
Agency’s last decision regarding the expansion proposal is expected to be made during December.
Public comments may be made online via telephone at 907-586-809 or in person on the ranger’s forest service office from Juneau until May 23rd.
