Weather
EPA Bristol Bay Report Being ReviewedThe Bristol Bay Watershed is also full of mineral deposits, tempting mining companies to exploit itANCHORAGE - It's the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world. It supports thousands of people, as well as a way of life. The Bristol Bay Watershed is also full of mineral deposits, tempting mining companies to exploit it. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report on potential mining impacts on salmon ecosystems in the Bristol Bay region. Twelve independent experts from across the country began an assessment of the EPA report on Tuesday. As part of the assessment, a three-day meeting in Anchorage began Tuesday, which included a period for public comment. More than 100 people were invited to address the reviewers and voice their opinion on the EPA’s report. Herman Nelson traveled hundreds of miles, from Koliganek on the Nushagak River, to speak to the reviewers Tuesday. He told them he doesn’t want to lose ability to live off the land. "We’re so lucky to have what we have, the renewable resource and the money that the fishing industry brings in," said Nelson. Nelson welcomes the EPA's study, including predictions of how a mining failure could destroy salmon habitat. "It's too dangerous, there's too much that could go wrong,” he said. Those who support mining in the area said the EPA study was rushed The Pebble Partnership said the reviewers need to take into account the EPA study was based on a hypothetical mine scenario. "The problem with their imaginary mine is that it could never be built today because it could not be permitted under existing state and federal law," said John Shively, CEO of Pebble Limited Partnership. “And because it can't be permitted, they're showing impacts that could never take place,” said Shively. “If you can't permit the mine it can’t be built so those impacts can't happen.” |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
BobD said on Tuesday, Aug 7 at 8:21 PM
Shively has no concern for the Bristol Bay area , only profits..No matter what mine he wants , it will still be subject to the problems the EPA voiced.. Pebble is simply a bad idea for that region..Now we will see how many of our politicians get paid to push this disaster..The folks in that area , & I lived there for over 35 years , will have to fight alot of money to win..Good luck Bristol Bay , with you all the way.
98636415JohnZ - Michigan said on Wednesday, Aug 8 at 5:20 AM
Wrong place, wrong mine, wrong time!! Typical rape and burn big biz players with no sense of accountability for local people or the environment. Who are we kidding? Shively is a wind bag, profit monger about as short sighted as a mole with blinders on. Look at the history of mining companies, both in Canada and the USA - nothing left but a trail of toxic solids/liquids and destruction to water quality, river substrate, and surrounding habitat and wildlife. I've guided fly anglers from all over the world in this region. The finest, cleanest water left on the planet. All wild fish un-molested by man. Pristine wilderness and water. Now, locals are entertaining big biz money hungry irresponsible mining companies?? C'mon - fight like hell to stop this disaster waiting to happen. The state of Alaska and the EPA should be severely criticized for even considering this scale of an operation in this pristine wilderness. If approved, you'll never get back your clean water and fish!!
98652775FlyFishSmarter said on Wednesday, Aug 8 at 5:41 AM
Gotta love Shively's blanket knock-out comment about the "fake mine model". Just a tactic to fleece the locals and take the heat off. Absolutely devious and unethical. He knows the heat is on him now and he's doing everything he can to pull off the royal snow job that will absolutely destroy that entire watershed. I've been there - Morraine River, Battle River, Little Ku, Talarik, Nush .... this list goes on. This mine is not worth the risk. We're talking about a heritage, a tradition of life for natives and sportsman that will be at serious risk with high likelihood of complete demise over time from toxic mining waste products and disruption to that ecosystem. Does the state of Alaska and her leaders have any back bone to shut this lame goat rope idea down? We'll see. Sarah Palin started the trouble by running her mouth against the clean water initiative that could have made a significant impact to stop this monster project. Alaska - step it up - kill this beast !
98654156TickedOff said on Wednesday, Aug 8 at 6:34 AM
Wake up Alaska!! Your tarnished destiny may not be far off. These mining companies don't play straight - never have and never will. Just how did these players sneak in and set up camp north of Lake Illiamna for exploration? Who did they pay off in the process? How do I know? I used to fly over this site en-route to the Nush from Six-Mile Lake often as a guide back in 08. Who or what group was monitoring this activity? How was it approved? This entire process has been corrupt from the start and various government players in Alaska know this. Where is the leadership in this state to stop this mine? Forget the jobs argument! The natives will always struggle with their fight to either become modern or live off the land and water. But, IF their water and fish are taken away, then the state will really have an issue and the state and feds will have to foot the bill to clean up the mess. Shively and the boys will be long gone with their riches and the natives will truly suffer.
98657631shame said on Wednesday, Aug 8 at 6:54 AM
The brain washed need to look at the other mines in the state and the success stories they are, despite the brain washed propaganda the lib trash tries to puke out.
98659215mikey372002 said on Wednesday, Aug 8 at 8:53 AM
thats the problem here, To much greed, once an accident happens you cant turn back time, and the fishing will be destoyed for decades, will never come back in our life time or your childrens, do some of you natives really fall for the greed when a white person flashes a dollar over your head and a fish in your face, And the greed in you takes the dollar bill, some of you natives lost the the old ways, and its sad because your children might never know how great we natives had it, we might not be rich in paper money, But some of us are rich in our culture. Thats something to hold close to our hearts, greed only holds green paper until it goes up in smoke, Remember alaskan natives , this is our land, I grew up on the kuskokwim river but bristol bay is all of our land, natives look deep or our land will be taken and destroyed by greed.
98668106Add a comment
Most Popular