Amazing Performance
Dear Editor: It happened again – blame it on the arts! I am obliged to send a letter to the editor – this one about the collaboration between the Greater Sitka Arts Council and its Sitka Community Theater production of ‘‘9 to 5: the Musical.’’ And a musical it was – Sitkans Can Sing!
It struck me while watching how fortunate this town is to have talent like this. The infectious joy the cast projected, how enchanted the audience was from the performance, and how important it is to get an opportunity to be entertained at such a high level on our island town. Kudos and thank you to the director, producer, crew, cast and the town. Wow’d me out!
Jeff Budd, Sitka
Sharing
Dear Editor: Share and share alike. Senate Bill 23 is a yes vote!!
Jeff Kinnan, Sitka
Mining, Salmon
Dear Editor: Most Southeast Alaska salmon fishermen are aware of Canadian mines threatening important salmon runs in the Taku, Stikine, and Unuk rivers. Less well-known is the Palmer Project, a Constantine Metal Resources exploration in the headwaters of the Chilkat River, on the U.S. side of the border upstream from Klukwan and Haines. Constantine Metals is a Canadian company in joint venture with the Japanese company Dowa Metals. Exploration for copper, zinc, silver and gold is in the advanced stage and if developed, will be a large acid-generating underground mine. The deposit is a volcanogenic massive sulfide formation similar to the Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island.
Sitkans who fish for salmon should care because the Chilkat River is one of the most important salmon producing systems in Southeast Alaska. The Chilkat runs all five species of salmon and contributes one of the largest wild coho runs in Southeast. Chilkat Kings are already in deep trouble with another low run forecast for this year.
Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan and Takshanuk Watershed Council are working together to collect water quality data in the Chilkat headwaters as neither the State of Alaska nor BLM do so, and the exploration company is not required to share data with the public. Funds are needed to continue this important work. To contribute: GoFundMe/Protect the Chilkat Watershed.
On April 7 at 6 p.m., the film ‘‘Rock-Paper-Fish’’ will screen at the Mean Queen. The film is about Chilkat River salmon and the Palmer Project. Sitka fishermen, please check it out. Thank you.
Laurie Mastrella,
Haines/Port Alexander
