EPA attempts to defend armed raid in Chicken, Alaska

A representative with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell, traveled to the town of Chicken for a meeting on Saturday to defend an armed raid by the federal government on a remote gold mine targeting "alleged water polluters."

Sean Doogan of the Alaska Dispatch reported that the meeting at the local community hall resulted in more questions than answers. Forty people were gathered to hear why it was necessary for armed guards wearing body armor to come "bursting forth, with no warning, from the trees to look for dirty water."

Seems like a bit of overkill. The raid was justified because local state troopers allegedly told the EPA that Chicken, Alaska "was rife with drug and human trafficking." The problem, Doogan wrote, was that "the Troopers deny having said any such thing."

Ken Fisher, the Alaska Deputy Director, was the representative speaking for the EPA, but he "was often asked questions he couldn't answer." Considering that Fisher has nothing to do with the "Environmental Crimes Task Force," it is no surprise that he could not answer questions.

Doogan reported,

"At the cramped meeting, Fisher said the EPA was advised by various state and federal law enforcement agencies about the possible risks its team might encounter but he was unable [to say] who, exactly, warned the Feds that Chicken was a dangerous place."

Doogan writes that "So far, no charges or citations have been issued by the EPA to any Chicken area miners."

According to Fox News, "40 federal agencies - including nearly a dozen typically not associated with law enforcement - have armed divisions."

Follow Renee Nal on Twitter @ReneeNal and Facebook.

Check out her news and political commentary on Liberty Unyielding, Gather and TavernKeepers.com for news you won't find in the mainstream media. Renee is also a guest blogger for the Shire Blog.