As the community member who attended, testified at, and subsequently exposed the March 24, 2022 Ports and Harbors Committee meeting, I dispute Andrew Letchworth’s claim in last week’s paper that the meeting “positively affected” conservationists. The only positive thing that came out of that meeting was an unobstructed view of the Canadian mining industry’s privileged relationship with Borough leadership.

That meeting caused unnecessary stress, consumed time and resources, and undermined trust in Borough leadership. Objections from the community have been valid, based on potential harm to our environment and human health, on financial risk, and on governance that prioritizes industry desires over community concerns.

The March meeting exposed on public record what was going on between Borough leadership, the Canadian mining industry, and the Chamber of Commerce to benefit mining interests. It provoked a closer look into the borough’s federal grant applications, revealing that it explicitly solicited funding to rebuild the dock to support ore transshipment. The borough —

not conservationists — made Lutak Dock about ore.

And yet, that exposure did nothing to hinder Lutak Dock development, despite overwhelming public comment that almost unanimously asked the Borough to slow the process down, include the community in public discussions and decision-making, and act transparently. The borough barreled full-steam ahead, disregarding public input. It was the Borough’s responsibility to give public notice and establish appropriate boundaries with special interests like the Chamber and the Canadian mining industry.

As for “years of goodwill and public relations” from the mining industry? We’re still waiting.

Shannon Donahue