A major development in the fight to protect Bristol Bay occurred on Friday. The board of directors of Bristol Bay Native Corp., the regional Alaska Native corporation for the Bristol Bay area, voted to oppose the Pebble mine development. BBNC had remained neutral on the mega-mining prospect for several years. However, recent opinion polling indicated that an overwhelming majority of residents of Bristol Bay oppose developing Pebble because of the environmental risks it would pose to the region’s huge wild salmon fishery, a renewable industry that pumps at least $320 million into the local economy annually.
BBNC’s vote on Friday is a significant blow to the Pebble Limited Partnership, the consortium of foreign mining companies that is spending millions of dollars in hopes of getting the open-pit mine permitted by state and federal authorities. The Pebble consortium has stated that it won’t develop the massive gold and copper mine unless it has the social license, or backing, of the Bristol Bay people. Despite those previous statements by the mine developers, a Pebble spokesman said Friday that the consortium will continue its mine planning work regardless of the BBNC vote.
Trout Unlimited applauds the action by BBNC, a corporation with some 8,400 Native shareholders with ties to the Bristol Bay region. Read more:
By Duane Patchett December 25, 2009 - 6:19 pm
I am a fishing Guide in the Bristol Bay area. I live in the Denver Colorado are and would like to see if you need any help in fighting the Pebble mine. I am retired but hope to go back again this summer. I work at the Royal Coachman Lodge. I have developed such a passion for the Bristol Bay area and all that it has to offer. Please let me know what options I would have to help.
Thank You
Duane