Local commissions and committees are stacked decks to promote foreign and mega-industrial extractive industry interests with little regard for thorough planning or vetting within the Haines/Deishu/Klukwan communities as a whole.

Whether one is for or against turning our precious valley into a haul road for industrial logging and mining with Lutak as a foreign export dock, the process is not serving us well.

We who value the quality of life offered by this place in which we live deserve more consideration by those who supposedly represent us.

Increased truck traffic, ore dumped into Lutak harbor, roading, logging, mining extraction and all related infrastructure come with serious and consequential costs to our valley, its fish and wildlife, its value as a home and as a tourist destination.

Questions need to be asked and answered regarding truck traffic, solid waste disposal, water and wastewater treatment, impacts to fresh water (Chilkat) and marine waters (Lutak), location and nature of all associated infra-structure before proceeding with permitting and planning of Phase 3 of Lutak Dock improvements.

Public officials and the Chamber of Commerce do this community severe injustice by fast-tracking such important decisions.

Kathleen Menke