adn.com | The Pebble Blog : Upcoming event in Anchorage

The Pebble Blog

The gigantic Pebble copper and gold prospect in Southwest Alaska is one of the touchiest topics in Alaska today.

In this blog, I'll track news that is significant or interesting about the Pebble project. I'll also try to generate discussion and information sharing about some of the claims and counterclaims about the project, and mining in general.

Please keep your comments courteous and on topic. If you violate the ADN comment policy, your posts will be deleted.

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About Elizabeth Bluemink ebluemink@adn.com

I've been writing about mining in Alaska since 2004 and without a doubt, it is one of the most interesting topics that I cover at the Daily News. I've been a newspaper reporter for the past 10 years. In the Deep South, I specialized in reporting about environmental conflicts and pollution cleanups. For two years, I covered commercial fishing, mining and logging in Southeast Alaska. In my current job as a Daily News business reporter, I write about mining, tourism, Native corporations and other businesses.

Upcoming event in Anchorage

Posted by Elizabeth Bluemink

Posted: August 1, 2008 - 5:14 pm

Salmon rally

Folks, here is some information about a Pebble-related event coming up next Friday (Aug. 8) at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium.

--------------------

Nunamta Aulukestai (Caretakers of Our Lands), a Bristol Bay based non-profit organization, will be hosting a public education event at UAA's Williamson Auditorium on Friday, August 8, 2008 from 4-9 p.m.

The "Protect Bristol Bay, Keep it Wild" event will feature an outdoor salmon bake, a showing of "Native Voices" (a documentary), local reactions to the proposed Pebble mine project, including the last interview with former governor Jay Hammond; speakers will include Dr. Bruce Switzer, Dr. Carol Ann Woody and a number of community leaders and fishermen from Bristol Bay. These talks will be followed by a screening of "Red Gold," a documentary film about the Bristol Bay salmon fishing industry and the proposed Pebble mine. The film was recognized in June by the Telluride Film Festival with an award for excellence.

Nunamta Aulukestai is a Bristol Bay based non-profit organization that has been working to provide information and education about the proposed Pebble mine in the communities of Bristol Bay. Nunamta Aulukestai, a consortium of Native village corporations in Bristol Bay was established to develop and implement collaborative land use management and policies for their lands. "Team Nunamta" a group of Alaska Native college students from Bristol Bay villages is coordinating the event.

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4 August 9, 2008 - 2:31pm | njalo99

Just wondering......

Why is it the fisherman keep refering to Bristol Bay as the " Last, Greatest, Largest Sockeye run left in the world"........... Just curious because of the size of our great state you would figure we would have all kinds of Great runs of Kings, Silvers, Reds etc, Do all the other fisherman of the state have a problem with regulations, overfishing, loss by by-catch..... nahh that couldn't be it, it's gotta be biologist's like K Taylor and the ADF&G. Evidently it's only the fisherman in BB who know how to fish, someone better do a study and see what were not doing.....
There has gotta be a reason Bristol Bay is the Last Great run of Sockeye left in the World.

August 9, 2008 - 9:08pm | pmjusa

Another Question

How did Tularik creek and a tributary of the Koktuli river, which is a tributary to the Mulchatna river get "THE headwaters" designation for all of Bristol Bay? So much hype on this "headwaters" thing. Smells fishy from these anti-mining types. Maybe there's someone out there with some hard info. on what portion of headwaters these creeks actually comprise that can weigh in on this.

August 10, 2008 - 12:00am | CingRed

So true NJ & PMJ!

The anti-Pebble crowd are being disingenuous to say the least. Calling dinky little Tularik Creek as the headwaters of Bristol Bay would be like stating Jim's Creek as the headwater of Cook Inlet. I guess calling the Copper River as the headwaters wouldn't sound too good, it might defeat the message that mining existed in the region.

The Ugashik, Egegik, and Togiak Rivers, which are hundreds of miles from the Koktuli/Tularik Crk, have their own unique water resources, dump huge volumes of water into the largest Bay in Alaska, are not considered the headwaters of Bristol Bay?

August 10, 2008 - 1:39am | Sockeyemark

The footprint of the mine is the headwaters of Tularik and

Koktuli rivers. Both of them are full of spawning sockeye in the fall. Yes there are other systems that comprise all of the Bristol Bay spawning areas. But the two that you mention affect two larger river systems if a tailings reservoir were to break or leech. Or what ever unplanned event that happens. No, it's not the headwaters of all Bristol Bay. These two river systems we talk of effect the Nushagak and Kvichak water systems. And these two systems can in some years effect over 1/2 of the Bristol Bay sockeye run.
Is this hype? No more than the hype that this clean water initiative will shut down mining....disingenuous to say the least.

August 11, 2008 - 8:57am | ebluemink

a leech

is a critter. you are talking about leaching...

noticed this a few times in other posts.

I imagine folks will always disagree on the main topics of this blog. So we might as well attempt to keep the terminology straight ;)

By the way, unless something else has happened quite recently - and I'm the one who reported the original story - there was no actual violation at Fort Knox in connection with the leak you mentioned because it was contained w/i the mine's groundwater capture area (Fort Knox is a zero-discharge mine); it's also important to note that the leak did not migrate into a water body either on or off the mine site. Still, it makes sense for folks like me and the general public to keep checking on this, to make sure that the situation doesn't evolve into a real problem.

August 11, 2008 - 10:37am | Sockeyemark

I'm striving to be as smart as a miner,Thanks for the correction

do you think Pebble would be a zero discharge mine?
and if Ft Knox isn't do they have monitoring wells around the mine to see if any leaching is happening?
Thanks

August 10, 2008 - 11:35am | CingRed

Mining shutdown disingenuous...

I don't think so. People just ask yourself: Why would Red Dog, Fort Knox, AK Federation of Natives, Pogo, former DNR commissioner etc, etc... spend thousands of dollars and speak out to defeat this bill if it were not for the fact that is a threat to close down mining? This is shoddy initiative and as one native leader said is "deceptive & defective". Written with no public process, input from the mining industry or state agencies. The sponsors and their minions are being very manipulative and disingenuous (best adjective to describe this anti-mining group). Kinda like ballot box biology initiatives sponsored by PETA and there ilk.

The statement by Renewable Resource Coalition and AJS that states it won't affect existing mines is hogwash. They are trying to make this a Pebble issue when Pebble isn't even referenced in the lame initiative. Everyone in the mining industry understands this is all out attack against miners and the mining industry, that's why even the the Native leaders are speaking out against Prop 4. Protect high paying jobs for Alaskans, strike 4 down with a resounding NO vote.

August 10, 2008 - 12:54pm | Sockeyemark

60 thousand signatures and she says no public input! Hogwash

We Alaskans know that clean water is paramount for our livelihoods and fish.
There is NOTHING deceptive, and this has everything to do with PEBBLE.
No mining operation will be effected.
PROTECT BRISTOL BAY
PROTECT CLEAN WATER
PROTECT OUR SALMON
VOTE YES ON 4
It Will Not shut down mining
GUARANTEED

August 10, 2008 - 5:28pm | CingRed

Signatures vs. Input in writting an iniative

are two separate things SockeyeMark. Just because you have people standing outside the library or REI being paid to obtain signatures doesn't mean they had input in writing the piece of poo. You know that. I asked several people who were touting (working for wages?) the initiative and they didn't have a clue what the thing said. When I asked one person who was collecting signatures who was behind the ballot measure, he said the BLM. Genius eh!

Even PETA collects signatures for the their ballot measures, doesn't mean they obtained input from Alaskans on writing their anti-hunting initiatives. So don't give me this baloney about having Alaskans, like miners, legislatures, DNR, etc., sitting down and constructively writing this gibberish. Alaskans had no input on the matter, and the sponsors back-doored the mining industry and the citizens of this great State. That's disingenuous to say the least.

As I mentioned earlier the ballot measure never references, mentions, or names Pebble not one iota. One iota folks! The lame initiative Prop 4 does mention no large scale mining activity shall take place if it directly or indirectly "releases or discharges a toxic pollutant, in a measurable amount". What a joke...any MEASURABLE amount. That naive sentence will keep scientist's and lawyer's in business, but it won't keep Alaska mines open. Indeed, no measureable amount?! Sockeyemark do you know scientists can measure the weight of the world and atoms too? You couldn't even run your household under this initiative. But this is all a distraction...right now the mines are operating very well with the current laws and the proof is in the pudding: Our waters are clean and our salmon runs are healthy. "Defective and desceptive" vote NO on Prop 4!

August 10, 2008 - 6:31pm | Sockeyemark

There would be no consensus if we all sat down to tighten

our water discharge rules, we would talk from now until the cows come home.
This initiative is every bit aimed at Pebble Mine, this I know.
No the mines in Alaska are not operating very well, why would Red Dog be the number one polluter in the US? Or how about the discharge from Fort Knox last summer that broke the rules. Or how about the situation at Mystery creek where they broke through the water table and are trying to figure out how to seal it off but in the meantime they are also trying to sell it off ( good way to get rid of a problem ).
So there is no proof in the pudding, the mining industry will not currently be affected by this initiative.
It is aimed at Pebble Mine. Nana corporation has holdings in Pebble it's no wonder they are fighting tooth and nail even after their native brothers from the Bristol Bay region asked for their help in last winters AFN.
We will not turn our back to the native people of Alaska, I will help them preserve their way of life, the fish they eat and the water they drink.
Proposition 4 is the life blood of Alaska and Bristol Bay...........Like our Governor said during her election....Take A Stand....vote yes on 4

August 11, 2008 - 12:10am | CingRed

Plethora of errors...

You say "there would be no consensus if we all sat down to tighten regulations" so your answer is to not involve mining experts, State regulatory agencies, and involve Alaskans. So we can't come to a consensus so Bob Gilam gets to set the rules that govern the mining industry (and he's a money manager & lodge owner). Pretty egotistical and shortsighted way to initiate a process no? Secondly, this sort of behavior is reminiscent of PETA: No wildlife science, no hunting guide concerns addressed, subsistence living disregarded and mocked, and no Alaskan input. Nice.

You say this is "every bit aimed at Pebble this I know" yet all your references say otherwise. You list mining violations of Red Dog and Fort Knox. I can only conclude from your own words and examples that you trying to shut down mining in Alaska.

We all know the top polluters in the State are...drum roll please...in order of most violations: fishing, oil, and then mining industry. In fact, we are still reeling from the horrific oil spill by Exxon, but inexplicably the sponsors did not include them in the initiative nor did they include the fishing industry. The truth of the matter is that if this initiative were to be applied to the oil and fishing industry it would shut down their industry too! That's how poorly written this lame proposition is.

Boy, you really served me a softball on this one, it's my personal favorite "Nana Corporation has holdings in Pebble it's no wonder they are fighting tooth and nail". Well Bob Gillam owns how much stock in Anglo American...4 million. His moral compass is that it's okay for them to operate elsewhere in the world but not here where I have my lodge, He's the original NIMBY.

Lastly Palin, Sarah that is, has not taken a stand against Prop 4 so it's kinda disingenuous of you to make it sound like she has.

Bristol Bay needs to bring diversification and high paying jobs to the area or they are going to wither away (what is their abandonment rate anyway...it's got to be double digits in the last ten years) .

Vote NO against this defective and deceptive proposition.

August 11, 2008 - 1:02am | Sockeyemark

Proposition 4 is Good for Alaska,

No deception Yes it protects Bristol Bay
No disingenuous Yes it is directed at Pebble
No defective Yes it will not shutdown mines

YESSSSSSSS ON 4 #

August 11, 2008 - 1:17am | CingRed

What a masterful response Mark...

skip over the dialog and just bang your rhetorical drum.

I really like how the one native leader says 'defective & deceptive", the line has a ring and it sums it up perfectly!

Defective & deceptive Prop 4- Vote No!

August 11, 2008 - 1:46am | Sockeyemark

I've heard your music over and over and over and over and over

Take A Stand,,,,,,
A YES on 4 is a No on Pebble

August 10, 2008 - 9:07pm | njalo99

oh please

don't even bother Sock, we native Alaskans don't want or Need Your kind of Help...........

August 11, 2008 - 1:06am | Sockeyemark

You'll be thanking me down the road

preserve Alaskan heritage......

August 10, 2008 - 7:39am | njalo99

one thing I did forget

I've heard the Footprint of the mine will be a huge tailings pond anywhere from 4 to 7 miles long and 2000' feet tall.....LOL more conjecture..... and would be able to be seen from space...... that was a good one...... BTW I do have google earth.......there are alot of things that are also visible from space on your computer.....lol
Ok everyone let's get that Hype machine rolling....

August 10, 2008 - 7:33am | njalo99

once again

"if" or "when" "maybe" Or " whatever unplanned event happens" just more conjecture from the fabulous fisherman of Bristol Bay.........

August 10, 2008 - 7:58am | Sockeyemark

As is the "MINING SHUTDOWN"

and only the fishermen are hyping things up..??....
you don't know anything about the mine's size or what the clean water initiative will mean to you. But you sure have downplayed the mine and hyped up the Mining Shutdown...........hypocrites as well, you are.

August 10, 2008 - 8:31am | njalo99

as a person who has been in the field for many years I DO have an Idea about the mine's size....Do You.... oh that's right your a fisherman....no an oilfield worker...no a fisher man....wait I'll get it...... anyway I know what the cw4 will do for me and mine.... don't want it or Need it....and as for being a hypocrite.... well I do take offense to that...I have always stated how I've worked and my beliefs....I have been straight up with everyone I have talked to including you Sock.... so I wouldn't call Myself a hypocrite....but thanks for the label

August 10, 2008 - 9:43am | Sockeyemark

Just like you said Pebble Mine ...don't want it or Need it...

As a 32 year oilfield hand, 28 year commercial fisherman..
I KNOW WHAT THE MINE WILL DO.....don't want it or need it either....
I don't call myself a hypocrite either....but you do
You know my beliefs, where I work, my name, as you hide behind your blog name cowardly......
No thanks for the label....you can keep yours

August 10, 2008 - 9:23pm | njalo99

LOL

cowardly?????? my blog name is My initials you jacka$$, haven't hid from anything either..... but it has been fun listening to your misconceptions about the Whole Mining industry. As for commenting on anything you have to say i think I will quit now while i am ahead.... obviously I won't change your mind as much as you won't change mine, we will let the people of Alaska decide what is right for our state. I will see ya Aug 26th.... VOTE NO ON 4

August 11, 2008 - 1:13am | Sockeyemark

I think every miner on here has reverted to name calling

shallow thinking at best.
We need deep thinkers,
Preserve Alaska Vote Yes on 4 #

August 9, 2008 - 4:13pm | Sockeyemark

You don't have to Wonder Any More

All the rest of the sockeye runs in Alaska combined don't add up to Bristol Bays run size.
Thought I'd keep it simple for you.
And for all the commenting you do on this site you didn't know this!, explains allot to
Me about your knowledge base. Got me wondering about the rest of these miners on here????

August 18, 2008 - 10:10pm | njalo99

.....

and as for all your blogging on here I'd figure you had a clue about mining....except for what some one else feeds you.....when you get a pair join me about 12,000 ft underground........

August 19, 2008 - 2:23pm | Sockeyemark

I know enough about mining to Know What Damage Pebble will

do to Bristol Bay watershed. Just as I figured, braun and no brains, Play with them while your down there,,,,,

August 9, 2008 - 11:53pm | njalo99

why thank you

I do appreciate it when a fisherman/oilfield worker tries to "keep it simple" for a lowly miner. Good job Sockeye

3 August 5, 2008 - 12:03am | PuckFebble

Wish I could go

I hope Miss Bluemink will take the opportunity to cover it for the rest of us who cant attend.
As for the discussion that is taking place below...well I am glad it is taking place, because it is necessary.

I have noticed now that not developing Pebble will become in some people's eyes a taking or some sort of imminent domain issue. I think it would be really nice to have that discussion as well. I am not at all convinced that to be the case at this point. But some additional information would be nice, I havent seen an unbiased report on that yet.

But also, to the folks who come drink the cyanide kool aid, and refuse to be willing to understand the other side of this debate and the absolute concern shared by most of the people in Bristol Bay who will be the ones effected, and the tens of thousands of other Alaskans need to understand that there is contradictory evidence to the claims made by Cynthia Carrol, Sean McGee and my favorite spinmaster Paul "F&CK KNUCKLE" Henry.
Did Paul Henry get shipped back to where he came from yet?
Just a little note to Mr. Shively, if he still is on your staff, your best bet is to get him on his way. He gives some major credibility issues to your project. Also McGee cant pronounce Koktuli correctly, but he seems to know even less about it. Might want to get him on his way also, he certainly isnt helping your cause. He gets showed up at every public meeting he is the speaker at.

2 August 3, 2008 - 9:59am | ThorZone

Presentation

I am sure this little party be nothing but fair showing both sides of this issue.

/sarc mode off

1 August 2, 2008 - 11:37am | jokeener

Massacree

These so-called "salmon bakes"; they're like the Auschwitz for fish. Disgusting.

The truth is that Bristol Bay and outside commercial fishing interests (3/4 of all "Bristol" fisherman) can continue to slaughter fish by the millions and have the mine that produces the metals that must be used in order to execute the annual killings.

August 2, 2008 - 4:40pm | ebluemink

this is getting a bit stale, don't you think?

August 3, 2008 - 11:27am | jokeener

Stale?

Maybe to you, but somone's got to stand up for the salmon. Don't you think?

I'll tell you what I think is stale: the constant gloom and doom scenarios put forth by anti-mining operatives and their foregone conclusion that the potential Pebble mine will destroy the Bristol Bay fishery. There is no evidence to suggest this would happen.

I must add. The mining industry and state regulators offer a proven solution. It's been ongoing for two decades now. The anti-mining operatives offer nothing. Where do they propose to procure the copper, molybdenum, silver, lead, zinc, and gold that they need to catch the fish? Will they ever realize that we must have both in order to subsist? Do they even comprehend that the most environmentally responsible approach is to do this in our own backyards first, where we have direct oversight (besides the benefits)? Apparently, they suffer from the same disconnect that urban children have as to where fishsticks come from (from the freezer?). Where do steel or aluminum hulls come from? Where do engine blocks, wiring, transmissions, propellors come from? Where to radar, radio, depthfinder, and fishfinder units come from? Where do the freezer units, containers, cans, barges, and airplanes come from? Where do hooks come from? Ultimately, they all come from a big hole in the ground. Well, Bristol Bay, it's time you stepped up to the plate and begin providing for yourself and to the world. You've been getting a free ride on these resources for a century now, putting this responsibility on someone else's back, in someone else's backyard. It's time you paid your debt back.

August 3, 2008 - 4:01pm | demorgan33

I have no debt to you or any foreign owned mining company!!

What a ridiculous notion, that an entire inustry based on a renewable resource, should be put at risk because they happen to use metal and wire. I strongly question your mental state. Put this pit in your back yard and let it threaten your livelihood and then offer up an opinion. The fishery in Bristol Bay doesn't need anything offered to it, it already has a clear future, the runs are stable the water is clean and this will continue for the foreseable future. I understand the value of mining to the world, just as I understand the value of providing food to the world, but you cannot justify putting a renewable resource at risk for the short term gain of a few. That is what this boils down to, a large mining company making whatever statements it has to to get permitted to start operations with no guarantees other than empty "no net loss of fish" promises. When all is said and done and the mine is tapped out and the salmon runs are devastated, what will we be left with? 20 years of litigation? A sincere apology?
Use some common sense here please. Nothing good will come from this mine, unless you are a fan of toxic tailing ponds and empty villages.

August 3, 2008 - 4:10pm | jokeener

As it turns out,

I do have a giant open pit in my backyard called Ft. Knox. I'm grateful for it, too. They offset my electric bill and pump millions of dollars of taxes into my borough and tens of millions into my community every year. Plus, they've improved the fish habitat on the Chena River. The recycle pond below the tailings pond is the number one recruitment site for young grayling in the Chena River system. And they use CYANIDE (said in a deep, quavering, scary voice). It's quite likely that Pebble could do the same for Bristol Bay. The assumption by anti-mining operatives is that only bad things come from mining without consideration of current reality - that mining can actually improve fish habitat.

August 3, 2008 - 4:14pm | demorgan33

That would all be wonderful

except for the fact that our fishery needs no improvement, it is already the largest natural sockeye salmon run in the world. Keep your mine in your yard and stay out of mine.

August 3, 2008 - 4:41pm | jokeener

Sorry

You don't have the right. It's state land and reserved to multi-use by the public and whomever has the legal right to claim the minerals. If you were an honorable person, you would initiate a campaign to buy out Northern Dynasty. Make them an offer they can't refuse.

August 3, 2008 - 5:27pm | demorgan33

Sorry

I don't think the state has the right to permit a potentially dangerous mine that will put my livelihood and others at risk without any guarantee of retribution in the event of a catastrophe.
Don't question my honor, I have the right to stand up and try to protect my life-long investment. Try to put the shoe on your own foot and see what opinion you really come up with.

August 3, 2008 - 7:43pm | jokeener

You better do some research

So far, Northern Dynasty is abiding by state and federal statute / law. There is a lawful way to prevent ND from mining Pebble and that is to buy them out. The dishonourble path is to subvert the law to prevent another from engaging in a legal and lawful activity. I guarantee you that if ND is prevented from doing this, it will be regarded as a constitutional "takings" and they will be entitled to just compensation --- otherwise known as the Alaska Permanent Fund. Therefore, if you are willing to risk a $500B lawsuit to prevent something that may never happen then you are the one putting the entire state in danger.

August 3, 2008 - 8:10pm | demorgan33

Does Northern Dynasty pay you in cash?

Or do they give you gold bars? It seems to me that anyone that is blinded by the promises of this mining outfit must have something to gain from this mess.

August 5, 2008 - 9:05am | njalo99

really

I would have alot to gain, where to start, insurance for my family, gainful employment for me, a retirement plan for when I do retire, scholarships, and internships for my family if they were in the field.......hhhhhmmmmmmmm Yeah alot to gain This company will give a lot back to Alaska, don't just concentrate on the "what if" concentrate on what can be. Done responsibly this will be a boone to everyone in Alaska....just my two cents

August 5, 2008 - 9:05am | njalo99

really

August 5, 2008 - 9:52am | demorgan33

That is exactly my point

You must work for one of the outfits involved in this mine. Therefore I can understand your ability to look past the common sense issue and push to risk my renewable resource so that you may collect a check. I'm not questioning the motives here, I am just pointing out that those in favor of this mine stand to directly benefit, and their concern is for their pocketbooks and not the future of an already existing industry. I personally believe that it would be wrong to risk my investment and way of life so that you can have a job. None of this fight is about mines versus fishermen, it has to do with risking the futures of many for the short term gain of few. If and when something goes wrong with the mine, what happens then? If I was trying to stop an established mine that you had worked at an invested in for generations to establish a fishery that would in turn run the risk of shuting your mine down, would you get on board or put your foot down and say "HELL NO!!" I don't have any desire to see any existing mining operations put at risk or shut down, and I would be surprised if any of the other side of this debate, if they were honest with themselves, would desire to see this fishery risked......just my two cents

August 5, 2008 - 10:03am | njalo99

as I have stated before

We need to get past this CW4 and work together for All of Alaska, CW4 is poorly written and only the lawyers will get rich off of it. If you want better mining then lobby to enforce the REGs we have now, we don't need anymore regulations in my opinion.... but that's one man's point of view. I say develope each project on it's own merits and let All decide, not just the Fisherman, or just the miner's.......present all the facts and let Alaska Decide....... But only present FACTS not hysteria........ that has often been used on Both sides to deter from the situation at hand..... also Like my dad used to tell ME ... "Boy a little common sense would go a LOOOng way"

August 5, 2008 - 10:35am | demorgan33

My position

on this issue has never been about an initiative or any new regulations, it has been about the fact that the existing resource will be put at risk by any large scale mining operation that is allowed in the proposed area. There is absolutely no guarantee whatsoever that the fishery will not be harmed. The sockeye run in Bristol Bay is the largest and best managed natural run in the world. Any introduction of toxins, or disturbance in the spawning grounds would upset the natural balance required for healthy growth and survival of the young.

August 3, 2008 - 9:10pm | jokeener

No, but there is much to lose if this ignorant initiative passes

The ad-hominem attack is pathetic response.

I drink your milkshake.

August 4, 2008 - 8:50am | demorgan33

Another member of the word-of-the-month club

Remember, you are dealing with fishermen and miners here, neither of us are known for our book smarts.

As far as attacking you, I am just trying to understand how anyone not on the Northern Dynasty payroll can support developing an area already in use for another resource. The existing industry has been here for hundreds of years and supports many. If you don't have a dog in this fight, how could you honestly believe that removing creeks and digging pits in critical habitat areas would be a good idea? I know it has been said before, but I a not anti-development or mining, just not here.

Just curios, what will be lost if this ignorant initiative passes? It clearly states that it will not affect any existing, permitted mines under 640 acres. So if it won't affect existing mines, what will be lost?

August 5, 2008 - 9:00am | jokeener

Try harder

Those same criteria already apply to existing mines, as well as future mines, regardless of size. No mine (no one, except fishermen are exempt) has the right to pollute or negatively impact fish populations. This is why modern mines work to improve fish habitat. The 640-acre language was included to keep the initiative on the ballot. Naming Pebble as the target was found un-constitutional. This move makes the authors of the initiative -- deceptive & dishonest.

August 5, 2008 - 10:00am | demorgan33

What is the problem then

If all this initiative does is repeat already existing rules, what's the fight about?

August 6, 2008 - 6:29am | jokeener

redundant

deceptive, vague, dishonest, and unneeded.

It only stirs up people's fears (like you), divide families, pits village against village, region against region, industry against industry; it divides the state over a non-issue. Look how riled up you are. These outside operatives have you convinced that your world will end when the mine goes. They've convinced you with lies that there will be a "lake of cyanide poison that will kill the entire Bristol Bay fishery." This my ignorant friend is B.S. It is fear-mongering amongst good, hard-working, but mis-educated people.

Besides dividing Alaskans, this initiative if passed, will severely impact venture capital coming into the state. It already has had a severe impact on the mineral exploration industry. Many good project have been put on hold this year while waiting to see what happens later this month. Thousands of jobs have been impacted.

The only ones who will benefit from this will be the legal industry. They will make a billion dollars off of this (like the Exxon case, only they benefitted). You will continue to go broke fishing and your children (or theirs) will leave the village for jobs in Anchorage or Seattle. The state will be saddled with a huge constitutional takings lawsuit that could break our state government. That risk is a certainty whereas, your fears are based on stories.

You can have both fish and minerals. That is Alaska's success story. Let's not change that to revert to Third World status.

August 6, 2008 - 7:06am | demorgan33

One iniative could break our state government?

Who is doing the fear mongering here?
Alaska's success story is the one about well managed resources, never in the history of the state has it been forced to choose a non-renewable resource over a renewable one. Yes, you can have both fish and minerals, you just cant risk one to get the other. Any development in or near the spawning grounds will do just that, and that is an undisputable fact.
As far as my income from the fishing industry, albeit it is none of your business, but it has supported myself and my family comfortably for nearly forty years. Under current conditions, noone is going broke. This will change if the mine is allowed.

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