pebble mine

Salmon vs. Gold, Copper, and Molybdenum: The Debate over Resource Use in Bristol

Bay, Alaska

Naomi and Meg

Salmon Runs

∗ 2009-2010 an estimated 80 million salmon retuned to the region

∗ Salmon is the backbone of the Bristol Bay region, economically and culturally

Salmon Industry

∗ Commercial∗ Employs 11, 572 people∗ Net worth $120 billion∗ Season: end of June-the 3rd week of July∗ Drift and setnet operations

∗ Sport fishing ∗ Largely catch and release

∗ Subsistence∗ Food for throughout the winter

∗ Northern Dynasty Ltd. and Anglo American PLC

∗ Rio Tinto PLC holds 20% ownership in Northern Dynasty Ltd.∗ Kennecott Utah Copper-

visible from space

Pebble Limited Partnership

∗ Copper, gold, molybdenum∗ Open-pit and underground∗ Estimated worth $100-$500 billion∗ 2,000 construction jobs∗ 1,000 highly-skilled and highly-paid jobs∗ Additional infrastructure :

∗ 86-mile road∗ Ore pipeline∗ Power-plant ∗ Port facility

Pebble Project

∗ Long term impacts on the health of salmon runs

∗ Initial economic gain, prior to environmental degradation

∗ Transition from subsistence lifestyle to more urban/modern

∗ Loss of voice

Fishermen

∗ Economic benefits∗ Jobs∗ Tax revenue

∗ Renewable resources should not be traded for non-renewable resources

∗ Grave concerns about environmental impacts

Politicians

∗ Ecosystem will be impacted∗ Committed to ensuring the success of

fisheries and mining∗ Fraser River, Canada

∗ Revenue contribution to the state∗ Year-round jobs, infrastructure

Pebble Representative

∗ Geological-seismic activity∗ Fault with unknown location (5-18 miles)∗ Tailings dam (largest in the world)

∗ Ecological∗ Salmon olfactory sensors (spawning)∗ Water pollution with toxic waste

∗ Social∗ Dependence on salmon

∗ Cultural∗ Loss of identity for Native Populations

Concerns

∗ Urge companies to adhere to “No Dirty Mining”∗ Ex: Tiffany & Co. “No Dirty Gold” campaign

∗ NEPA∗ Encourage public input against the mine∗ Potential lawsuit

∗ Contact legislators voicing concerns

Action Plan

∗ Alaskans need to ask themselves what is more important, sustainable salmon runs or a maximum of 50 years of revenue from a mine.

Questions?