Residents suing over proposed Chuitna coal mine

Residents suing over proposed Chuitna coal mine

Chuitna River residents are going to court to fight a coal mine being built in their area.

Residents filed an appeal with the Alaska Superior Court Monday.

The suit challenges Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin’s refusal to consider a petition designating land within the Chuitna River watershed as unsuitable for surface coal mining.

Delaware-based Packrim Coal wants to develop the area on the west side of Cook Inlet, about 45 miles from Anchorage.

Residents say the project threatens to destroy more than 55 square miles of fish and game habitat.

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