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| What does living in the Copper River watershed mean to you? "Before we make any plans for pursuing specific economic development projects, which is our goal, we’d like to sketch an idea of where residents see the community headed. This won’t be an ironclad commitment to specific actions, but rather a common reference point that we can all use in setting priorities and making plans." In 1998 and 1999, we visited communities along the Copper and asked Copper River watershed residents three questions: (1.) what do you value about living here? (2.) what is your vision of this region 20 years from now? (3.) what actions do you think are necessary to achieve that vision? In their own words, residents responded: CHISTOCHINA and MENTASTA, August 5, 1998 Values Self-governance, can decide what’s best for community Kids are free from society’s pressures Sense of freedom, be who you want to be Close family ties that go beyond immediate family, goes all the way down and up the Copper River Cannot separate me from the rivers and mountains – here I can live it Belong here because my family has been here for hundreds of years Safe for kids; little crime Comfort from family and community if trouble happens Steambaths! Like to hunt, fish, trap pick berries, ski Mountains are our cathedrals CHITINA, September 12, 1998 Values Pureness and beauty of the area; openness of the country Great place to raise a child Self-supporting opportunities School and church to go to No regulation Not having extreme development. Value the togetherness of the communities and people. Subsistence living Cool people and lots of mountains to hike Freedom Ability to hunt, fish; gardens Vision Clean with more Alaska Native businesses Bike trails, trails for walking, water and sewer system for the whole town. Area to remain the same, except with the infrastructure to accommodate the tourism and fishing The same as it is today with the junk and garbage gone Afraid that the Copper River will become like the Kenai Unified communities. Should be able to do this without elaborate structured government and property taxes. Not too many people Actions Teach traditional life and cultures, subsistence life; teach our children to lead Learn how to be sovereign Try to get water and sewer grants Work together to get the funding for clean up equipment Continue to organize the communities Involve all of the established agencies More strict restrictions by Natives on Native lands ADF&G will have to monitor game populations to maintain healthy populations Leave fish in resting places—used to be taboo to disturb fish in those places Start controlling big trawlers; what they don’t get is crippled or smashed – so much waste. KENNY LAKE, July 1998 Values Beautiful place Not like Anchorage, where there are too many cars, not enough space Good place to raise a family Actions Don’t want to see cattle-car tourism McCARTHY, September 1998 Values Peace, quiet, ability to pursue subsistence lifestyle Wilderness Low population density Tasty spruce hens! Lack of centralized authority Safe for children People help each other Small community with locally owned businesses Value tourism as an economic opportunity ONLY at a small scale which allows community values sustained Absence of buses, helicopters, and law enforcement Value knowing as neighbors the people who run businesses Value non-vehicular access and gravel road access Vision Similar to what it is now. A few more visitors, but still a strong community, and a predominance of mountains, wildness, and timelessness for all those who seek it. . . visitors and residents alike. Recognize there will be growth, but no highway strips please Keep growth of tourist industry as slow as possible Controlled progress, maintain ambience, better Internet access Slow growth – stable and growing residential area; diversified economy with tourism reduced to a minor percent. Clean community, Kennecott structures stabilized, progressive growth, increase visitation, improved highway access, no road to Cordova – but hiking trail along Copper River. Actions Keep road from Chitina small and rustic; restrict road upgrade; keep McCarthy low-speed access. Diversify economy More employment opportunities for locals More emphasis on controlled tourism development; selectively discourage mega-business Attract visitors who are looking for rustic wilderness qualities, including effort needed to get here Cottage industries developed; perhaps a cooperative export of crafts. Younger people, new technology – can’t stop it – but honor individual voice in the process Slow, very slow, growth Improve telecommunications access Community-based control, consensus building CORDOVA, March, 1998
Visions
Actions
Cordovans attending, March 1998: |
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