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Commentary
Everette Anderson
The Pebble Mine discussion continues yet we may be overlooking a rudimentary business element essential to winning the battle against in-region mining. Arguments from the region and around the nation range from protection of subsistence activities and the commercial and sport salmon fishery to requiring other resource development to reinvigorate local economies so that villages are not forced to close their doors.
Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham has introduced legislation ensuring that salmon get top priority in Bristol Bay. “The bill would prohibit anyone from withdrawing or polluting water in the drainages of five salmon-rich Bristol Bay rivers: the Nushagak, Kvichak, Naknek, Egegik and Ugashik. The bill would allow some exceptions for traditional uses such as drinking water and seafood processing. It also would allow the state to penalize a company polluting the streams up to $1 million per day.” (Anchorage Daily News, March 2, 2007).
With the above in mind, what argument are we really bringing to the table to fight the case against mining? More specifically, of what does the argument consist besides the need to protect our resources for commercial, cultural, traditional, generational, ethical or moral reasons?
This is more than an emotional argument; regretfully, this is business. Not just any business but a suggested $300 billion plus ore extraction business. This is mega business of a magnitude that many people do not typically engage in. At the end of any business day, Northern Dynasty and the Pebble project is about economics – the bottom line; not emotion.
Thanks to a global market and high demand for copper and gold, Northern Dynasty finds itself in an extremely lucrative position to extract the region’s resource, generating generous amounts of revenue. Although Northern Dynasty may parade their concern to appease regional residents’ want and needs, a mutual balance of their wants and our needs are unlikely. Bristol Bay residents find themselves in an extremely complicated position. The lack of a strong, robust, reliable year round regional economy, compounded by a high cost of living, exaggerated by astronomical energy costs are a few of the arguments for exploring an alternative economic opportunity instead of maintaining the status quo. Furthermore, the traditional, cultural, and historical relationship that we maintain with the land and water, and their resources create a much more challenging personal struggle for us all that care as deeply as we do. Regardless, the reality is this; Northern Dynasty, the Queen of England, Shell Oil, the State of Alaska, BP or any other business or government entity cannot inherently uphold the concern for our Region like we do. Their cares and feelings are governed by their respective Boards and Directors who are ultimately charged by stockholders with ensuring that their bottom line prospers.
‘We’ win, Pebble will not develop! If the opposition wins, what happens next? Legislators will have passed a law(s) to protect the Bristol Bay watershed, discouraging businesses from pursuing regional investment; and inadvertently, an ambiguous precedent has been established for future development opportunities within the region and the rest of the State. We are protected. Now what?
The region still sorely lacks the infrastructure to fully capitalize on the regional fishery. Where is the seafood industrial park? Where is the cold storage? Where are the value added processing lines? We still do not have a unified regional seafood marketing strategy. The fishery may be rebounding and economically viable for the few processors that remain. However, our fishermen still have not fully realized a genuine dollar and cents return on their investment in the fishery. Meanwhile, the global seafood market evolves and expands, passing our region by as if we never existed. We continue to allow seafood processing companies to can our fish and value-add a minimal amount of harvested salmon in region; opting to ship to the lower 48, China and other Asian nations for other re-processing opportunities. I can only hope that the Bristol Bay regional entities are strategizing right now; formulating a 50 year plan – making up for decades of ‘hoping for the best’ and settling for the status quo.
If Opposition wins, then it is so desperately critical that an economic plan is in place. The Bristol Bay region has too many powerful organizations and Leaders to continue to allow this disorder to continue – our regional fishermen have experienced this dangerous cycle for well over 100 years – it isn’t good for them and it isn’t economically healthy for the region. The Bristol Bay region has the political and financial know-how and influence to develop a long term regional economic strategy worthy of battle against the Pebble, oil and gas projects of the world.
My observations to date have shown me that mega-business, such as the Pebble project will eventually prevail when no economic counter-argument is presented. There is too much money at stake for Northern Dynasty to lose - that is simply the nature of business.
This is not a ‘we’ versus ‘you’ fight, an East side versus West side of the Bay battle, nor a ‘my generation versus your generation’ conflict. This is a Regional issue requiring collaboration to define our future – with or without a Pebble mine, oil or gas development. We cannot win on emotion alone; and with that, I see a historical opportunity for our Region to seize and capitalize on; benefiting generations to come.
Lucy Weedman
I was born and raised in Southwest Alaska, have lived the traditional way of life, been taught to live off the land. Fishing, hunting and gathering subsistent foods is a way of life to make ends meet in all of rural Alaska. A mine like Pebble will strip us of our identities, take away our food, and make our people dependent on something foreign to our lifestyle. There is no mine in the world that is safe, they depend on technological analysis. Several states had banned and outlawed mining, big or small. Northern Dynasty is a Canadian outfit, and would not have to follow USA laws which would exempt them from any kind of lawsuits. When we really sit down and think about it, you know, NDM says they will compensate every hunter, fisherman, subsistent and even sports users if there ever is an accident. Now in reality, who can do such a thing? Our own Governments, local, state and federal governments can only do so much! And NDM says they will. I oppose the pebble mine 100%.
Margaret Galovin
Comments: I don’t know what method of mining they are proposing at Pebble Mine but I wholeheartedly oppose it. I wonder if they are proposing the use of cyanide. Even more concern!
Jim Tilly
Comments: I want to see this monumental project of greed and never ending pollution stopped NOW.
John Pennell
Comments: Best of luck. I have nightmares about what could happen if this thing goes through.
If you would like to submit a comment, please email editor@stoppebblemine.com
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