Matanuska Coal Fields
Mat-Su Area Mines
The Mat Su Valley is Alaska’s fastest growing residential community. But it also contains three proposed coal development areas – Wishbone Hill, Jonesville, and Chickaloon – covering a 40-mile wide area in the growing Matanuska Valley. While the export and combustion of the coal contained in these leases present real threats to climate change, coal mining also poses serious health risks to thousands of Alaskans who live in close proximity to these proposed mine areas. These proposed open pit coal strip mines also threaten to devastate ecosystems and watersheds in the Moose Range of the Matanuska Valley.
Proposed Wishbone Hill Coal Strip Mine and Communities
The proposed Wishbone Hill coal strip mine is located approximately 5 miles west of Sutton and 10 miles north of Palmer, directly across Moose Creek from a beautiful residential neighborhood. Although there was some coal mining activity in the early 20th century, Wishbone Hill has become a landmark surrounded by residential communities in Alaska’s Matanuska Valley. Two coal strip mines have been proposed on Wishbone Hill in the Matanuska Valley, one of the fastest growing regions in our nation. This valley sits atop a 300 square mile high-grade coal reserve, the Matanuska Coal Field.
More than 89,000 people live in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, most in the area shown above. 14,000 people live within five miles of the proposed coal strip mines. $80,000,000 worth of borough assessed property lies within two miles of these proposed coalmines.
Despite proximity to families and businesses, state agencies, DEC, and HHS claim that they do not have the necessary funding to conduct baseline Air Quality, Water and Hydrology studies, or even a Health Impact Assessment. Yet more than 3000 homes within three miles of the proposed mines rely on ground water and aquifers that may be adversely affected by this mining.
For additional information on the status of Wishbone Hill Coal visit the following websites:
Castle Mountain Coalition
Alaska Center For The Environment
