For the sake of the sockeye salmon
A measure on a Homer, Alaska ballot would limit pollution from mining operations to avoid threatening salmon fisheries. But some say this is a way to avoid construction of a copper and gold mine. Emily Schwing reports.
Salmon fishermen casting hooks (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
More on Sustainability
TEXT OF STORY
Scott Jagow: People who live in Alaska are voting today. One measure on the ballot would limit pollution from mining operations so it wouldn't threaten salmon fisheries. But Some people say this is really about trying to stop the construction of a huge copper and gold mine. Emily Schwing reports from Homer, Alaska.
Emily Schwing: The proposed Pebble mine would be located at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, home to the largest salmon run in the world. The Bay supplies more than half of the sockeye salmon to the global market and brings $126 million to the Alaskan economy each year.
Catie Bursch has been fishing there for over 20 years:
Catie Bursch: Yeah, as far as balancing the economics, really all you have to know is a mine is a nonrenewable resources. They go in and get the minerals and then its done -- it's gone and you deal with the pollution.
John Shively is the CEO of the Pebble Mine's Partnership Group. He says the statewide ballot initiative was drafted to specifically target his mine, and that's unconstitutional.
John Shively: The proposal has been promoted as a way to stop the Pebble mine. If it can shut down Pebble, it can obviously stop or shut down other mines.
And any shutdown is a big concern in a state with a $4 billion mining industry.
In Homer, Alaska, I'm Emily Schwing for Marketplace.
Comments
Comment | Refresh
From Nashville, TN, 09/04/2008
The musical interlude after this story is different from the one that was broadcast. I enjoyed that song and came here to hear it again, I'm disappointed.
From Fort Worth, TX, 08/27/2008
Mr. John,
I simply believe the story was too short to do true justice to the complex issues involved. Making it a simple mining industry vs. environmentalists story was I think unfair. Far too often the mention of environmentalism causes people to have a negative view of an issue. The Pebble Mine, should it be created would certainly have a financial benefit to the people of Alaska, but I think the benefits are far overblown (as are the benefits of most large projects anywhere). The issue is not as simple as saying Pebble Mine + Slamon Fishing = $$$$. Instead it will be Pebble Mine - Salmon Fishing = $$$. So the people of Alska need to be certain Pebble is going to provide them with everything they are getting from the Salmon and Sporting industries plus more. My position is, quite simple. There comes a point when we say enough development is enough and we are going to leave some areas wild, no ifs, ands or buts. I know this position is monumentally unpopular in this day and age, but there it is.
From Homer, AK, 08/26/2008
Mr. Moffit,
Do you believe the story was unbalanced? Help me understand your criticism.
From Fort Worth, TX, 08/26/2008
The issue is not quite as black and white as your story would have the public believe. The Pebble Mine will be the largest open pit mine in the world. More than 2.5 miles across and more than 1200' deep. The toxic lakes created by this mine will be held back by an earthen dam larger than the Three Gorges Dam in China (which is made of traditional concrete). The mine is opposed not just by "environmentalists", but by Native American groups and Sportsmens advocacy groups (Trout Unlimited and others). In the future please present a story which provides a more balanced view of the issues involved.
http://www.sportsmansalliance4ak.org/Issues/Issues_Bristol_Bay.html
http://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/TUPebbleStory.pdf
http://www.savebristolbay.org/site/c.gqLTI4OzGlF/b.2000555/k.BE39/Home.htm
http://www.orvis.com/intro.asp?subject=4571&CampaignID=286&ADV=99652&cm_ite=B3&cm_ven=orvisemail&cm_cat=ALASKA_08_25_08&cm_pla=01&bhcp=1
Post a Comment: Please be civil, brief and relevant.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. All comments are moderated. Marketplace reserves the right to edit any comments on this site and to read them on the air if they are extra-interesting. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting.
You must be 13 or over to submit information to American Public Media. The information entered into this form will not be used to send unsolicited email and will not be sold to a third party. For more information see Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.