Module V: American Period- Alaska's Economy

Essential Question: How is the Alaska economy a reflection of diverse, and sometimes conflicting perspectives of the natural landscape?
The current pillars of the Alaska economy include oil and natural gas production, tourism, fisheries, mining, agriculture and logging. These industries are as diverse as the Alaskan landscape and the conflict lies in the perspective one has on the use of Alaska's natural resources. 

Exxon Valdez oil Spill
photo courtesy adn.com

One example of conflicting perspectives of the natural landscape involves the fishing industry and how it comes in conflict with the oil and natural gas industry. This  conflict was paramount when the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989 occurred in Prince William Sound, affecting the fishery resources as well as the tourism of that region for years to come. 


In addition, tourism, as the second largest industry in the state, relies on the preservation and conservation of Alaska's natural resources to maintain a draw for outsiders to desire to explore the raw beauty that is Alaska. However, the state's logging industry relies on the use of those very resources, which in the past has lead to clear-cutting. More recently the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and other efforts to promote regeneration of Alaska forests as a renewable resource have tempered this conflict.
                                                                                                           

The Salmon Run
photo courtesy theecologist.org

Coal mining and fisheries are often in conflict with one another as mining has been know to have an impact on the quality and sustainability of fisheries. This is a topic of frequent debate and discussion in both the Anchorage Daily News and on televised news broadcasts such as KTUU Channel 2 news. The two sides of the recent pebble mine debate can be seen at SaveBristolBay.org and at ThePebblePartnership.com.


And then, once again, there is the Alaskan climate which drives tourist season and causes the Alaskan population to nearly triple during the summer months - a statistic tourism experts are attempting to tap into year round as evidenced by this statement by the Alaska Tourism Industry Association. The climate also greatly affects the agricultural growing season and even mining and trapping- two occupations that have tended to go hand-in-hand in Alaskan history due to the seasonal aspects of each. The Alaska climate itself creates diversity and conflict between how and when resources are extracted, utilized and capitalized on.


Examine Question: What are some links between mineral development and other sectors of the Alaska economy?

The Healy River Coal Corp.
with the ARR tracks of the Healy Spur
photo courtesy
usibelli.com/History_photo.asp

Mineral development, and gold mining in particular in Alaska, led to growth of necessary infrastructure such as road and transportation systems and industry to accommodate the swells of people who came to Alaska to work in mining. An example of this is Independence Mine, nestled in the Talkeetna Mountains. The first gold claim at the mine was discovered and staked by R. L. Hatcher in 1906 and lead to a mine that eventually employed 204 miners at its peak of operation. The Glenn highway was originally built to accommodate the needs of miners needing to reach their claims in the Talkeetna mountains. In addition the Alaska Railroad was developed to provide shipping of the minerals being mined from Seward to Fairbanks. Even the railroad's flagstop service (the last of its kind in operation in the Unites States) has its roots in transporting miners to reach their claims between Talkeetna and Hurricane Gulch.


The development of coal mining is related to natural gas and oil production in that both provide fuel and energy both domestically and in foreign markets. Much of the coal production in the state has been exported to foreign countries such as Russia, Chili and South Korea and is used to provide electricity as well as heat. On the homefront the debate continues regarding clean energy and the need for a natural gas pipeline to bridge the gap between oil/coal and green energy of the future as evidenced by this article in The New York Times. 


All in all, Alaska is still a relatively new frontier in regards to mineral extraction. This creates many connections as hospitals, schools, transportation and commerce are in high demand anywhere a large mine is in operation. One example of this is seen in the history of Circle City of interior Alaska, which boomed and subsequently busted in the course of a year's time. 


A modern day example of boom-or-bust is seen in the recent history of Delta/Fort Greely and nearby Pogo mine. When Fort Greely closed the population of the area was decimated but with the opening of Pogo mine Delta Junction was booming again within a mere 6 year timeframe. However, Pogo mine has an agreement to pay the town $1.25 million annually in lieu of taxes. What is the small town of Delta to do with this newfound revenue stream and what happens when that stream eventually runs dry? A further link between this mine and the economy is the Delta Mine Training Center that has been built to train Alaskans in the mining industry. This center has provided further jobs in the Delta area, in turn boosting the local economy all the more.


Mining offers so many connections and opportunities for growth within a community and yet such resources are never inexhaustible, causing cycles of exponential growth and decline and sometimes the subsequent ghost-towns that dot Alaska's history. The connections between mining and other sectors of the economy are intertwined and seemingly endless when you look at the whole economic picture.


Evaluation:
This module gave me a glimpse into understanding more of how some of the locations in Alaska were named, such Cantwell (from the expeditions of John C. Cantwell) and the Glenn Highway (from the expeditions of Edwin Glenn). I also have a greater understanding for how truly sparse the population of Alaska was in its early days of being a U.S. territory. It was interesting to learn that many military forts and telegraph posts were held down by a handful (or less) of people. I found the links to be insightful and informative and especially enjoyed the links on the history of mining in Alaska (hence the reason I answered the examine question that I chose). I am finding myself curious to find out if there are more sites like Teacher's Domain that offer videos on specific topics that pertain to Alaska history and culture.


Colleague Reviews
Kelly noted that due to the active role the RAC took in exporting goods, Alaska became a key player in international trade as early as the 18th and 19th centuries. 


Robin discusses the linguistic diversity of Alaska and the varied use of languages during Russian colonization.


Joan provides a booklist for the classroom teacher and notes that "storytelling strengthens the emotional connection and allows a way to order one's understanding" - how true!