Help us keep Ester Dome open for recreational purposes.

Happy Ridge was mined for gold in the early 1900s, the 1960s, and the 1980s; new hard rock exploration and mining is proposed that would enrich investors and further the climate crisis while destroying the tranquility of neighborhoods, property values, and existing recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. This is not a matter of noise ordinances—industrial-scale hard rock mining is utterly incompatible with existing uses. This petition is a signal of our frustration with plans for hard rock mining on Ester Dome. The state DNR lands office has the authority to reclassify up to 264 acres. Of course, the best DNR can do for Happy Ridge is refuse to permit exploration because the mining claims cannot be rescinded. So, this petition to reclassify Happy Ridge is really a declaration that permits should never be issued for exploration that will turn our mountain inside out. 

Location

Happy Ridge is a steep-sided rib of Ester Dome that runs slightly north of the eastern flank, toward the intersection of Ester Dome and Sheep Creek roads. The ridge was first logged during the Gold Rush and the streams below, Happy and St. Patrick Creeks, were worked for gold by hand and dredges; local lore says some 1,000 men lived around the Happy Whistle Stop at the turn of the century. The ridge was explored for source rock throughout and mined most recently in the 1980s.

Now, the area is popular for various recreational activities and is adjacent to several residential neighborhoods.

Our Petition

Happy Ridge should be reclassified to protect surrounding neighborhoods that continue to grow, as well as existing recreational and wildlife uses. These neighborhoods are much too close to proposed exploration and the noise, traffic, and toxicity that come with mine development. The Happy Ridge Trail and adjacent trail systems on Ester Dome are beloved and enjoyed by the greater Fairbanks community. They are widely used by runners, bikers, hikers, skiers, foragers, and hunters. Happy Ridge itself is recovering from deforestation and mining activity and serves as a wildlife habitat. With residential areas surrounding the ridge, recreation is the most appropriate land use for this property and the greater Ester Dome area. Happy Ridge should never again be opened for large-scale mining.

More information about current mining in our Fairbanks neighborhoods is available at Ester Dome Watch and Save Our Domes. 

Ester Dome and Happy Ridge are surrounded by residential neighborhoods with thousands of residents within five miles. Trails on Ester Dome are used year-round for recreational purposes such as walking, running, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmachining, motorbiking and dog walking. Ester Dome is also the home to the Equinox Marathon, the premier running event in Interior Alaska for over 61 years. 

Sign the petition: This petition will help to inform the Fairbanks Northstar Borough and State of Alaska leaders that we value Ester Dome as a recreational space. 

Thank you for helping to spread the word!