Space is running out in the tailings pile at the Greens Creek Mine, which is generating a growing amount of toxic waste. As a result, the mine is seeking to expand. Allowing this expansion could come at high cost to Hawk Inlet in Admiralty Island National Monument where evidence suggests that the mine has already done harm to the aquatic life and food sources of the inlet. Hecla’s mine claims pre-date Admiralty Island’s National Monument designation, allowing the company to operate in the monument only if the mine does not create irreparable harm to what the designation protects. Between 1978-1980, baseline studies were conducted to understand the pre-mine health of the inlet and to measure future change resulting from mine operations. Deemed the best way to measure the health of the ecosystem, the baseline study looked at the types and quantities of marine organisms in both Hawk Inlet and also a control area, Young Bay. This information disappeared from public view until it was uncovered by SEACC in 2014.

Now is your chance to speak up for old growth on Prince of Wales. The US Forest Service hopes that the Prince of Wales Landscape Level Analysis Project (POWLLAP) represents a better approach for project planning on the Tongass National Forest. While this approach has some positives to support it, it raises some serious concerns. The US Forest Service recently came out with their Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and the comment period is underway. This is your last chance to have your say and protect the places you love on Prince of Wales.