Re: “Trump Signs Order to Approve Mining Road Through Alaskan Wilderness” (Oct. 6, Nation):
President Donald Trump simply approved the desecration of pristine, publicly owned wilderness — together with a part of Gates of the Arctic Nationwide Park and Protect — to profit a billionaire donor. Trump authorised building of a 211-mile industrial highway by way of Alaskan wilderness to expedite mining of copper and different minerals within the Ambler Mining District. Trump’s billionaire donor pal — John Paulson — owns 8.7% of Trilogy Metals, one in all two overseas firms that can function the mines. Yup, that’s proper — the companies set to pillage our land aren’t even American.
The harm might be extreme. The Ambler Street threatens the 150,000-strong Western Arctic Caribou Herd. It should cross 11 main rivers and tons of of streams, many salmon-bearing. It should eternally scar a number of the final, greatest wilderness on Earth.
Trump and buddies started the 12 months by making deep cuts to the Forest Service and Nationwide Park Service whereas pushing laws to promote thousands and thousands of acres of public land and speed up highway constructing in locations just like the North and Central Cascades, and Olympic Mountains.
Our public lands have survived for over a century as a result of residents defended them. That legacy will depend on all of us — hikers, hunters, anglers, birdwatchers. Please converse up earlier than it’s too late.
Ken Bennett, Friday Harbor
