Pebble Mine Alaska

Something to think about before this project is allowed to move forward.

The Pebble Gold Mine Project.

The proposed Alaska Pebble Mine project is an extremely large and controversial copper, gold, and molybdenum open pit mine proposed for develop within one of Alaska’s Crown Jewel watersheds draining into Bristol Bay in Southwest Alaska. The Bristol Bay watershed lies within the region of Southwest Alaska, near Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark. This is an area that encompasses the headwaters of some very important salmon spawning streams that feed the Kvichak River, Nushagak River and Mulchatna River. These streams include the legendary waters of Upper Talarik Creek and the Koktuli Rivers.

The waters within Bristol Bay are home to Alaska¹s largest sustainable commercial sockeye salmon fishery as well as the famous sport salmon and trout fishing that has attracted fishermen for so many years. Picture the average return of tens of millions of salmon returning to one small area and you can see the value of this one of a kind location. Bristol Bay is also where a large number of our Alaskan native populations have hunted and fished in a subsistence lifestyle for generations. This is a delicate ecosystem referred to as the final place on earth capable of sustaining such massive runs of salmon that return here year after year to spawn.

The crystal clear waters, abundant feed, and relative remoteness all add up to the ideal ecosystem to accommodate the rearing of strong healthy young salmon.

Modern times bring with them modern sins.

The Vatican has listed drugs, pollution and genetic manipulations as well as social and economic injustices as new areas of sinful behavior that must be avoided. For those practicing the Catholic faith, the Vatican has told the faithful that they should be aware of these new sins such as causing environmental blight. In their own words, Thou shall not pollute the Earth.

A Region Already In Jeopardy

On January 10,2007, President Bush lifted the drilling ban on oil exploration for Alaska's Bristol Bay, clearing the way for the Interior Department to open the fish-rich waters to oil and natural gas development. Opening Bristol Bay to oil wells endangers the world's largest wild salmon stock.

"This decision borders on irresponsible, from our perspective," said Eric J. Siy, executive director of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council. The bay has the world's biggest wild sockeye salmon run as well as abundant red king crab, Pacific halibut and Bering Sea pollock and cod fisheries, he said. "The wise thing to do is to invest in the health of that sustainable economy."

Additionally, opening Bristol Bay to further development will threaten more then just fish. The area is also inhabited by millions of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds as well as marine mammals such as the endangered right whales.

Members of the PebbleMineAlaska.com website include local residents of Alaska, commercial fishermen, sport fishermen, subsistence users, marine biologists, small business owners, conservationists, and many other concern citizens who are becoming active in preserving one of Alaska’s most impressive wilderness areas. This site contains a quick breakdown of what is being proposed to the people, some alternative that should be considered, an active forum and a huge volume of information about protecting Bristol Bay from any conceivable future disasters from the mining operations. Get pro-active, help support the Pebble Mine Alaska website by sending us your thoughts on what is happening in this hot topic in Alaska's News.