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How much is your opinion worth?

Did any of you Pebble Mine watchers notice the change in messaging?

It is blatantly unfair to not take a stand

Height of the proposed dam at the Pebble Mine

Pebble concerns must not be withheld

Protect land use of those not directly affected by the mine

Standing on the edge of the tailings pond

Letters of opposition to Pebble Mine

Pebble concerns must not be withheld

Is it too soon to voice your opinion about the Pebble Mine?

Northern Dynasty officials repeatedly tell say it is too soon to state a position on the project. It works to the company's advantage for people to remain neutral and to withhold judgment.

There are windows of opportunity to have your voice be heard, to educate yourself and make your concerns known. These opportunities come while the issues surrounding the project are current and relevant.

If your conclusion at this point is to remain silent, there may come a time when Northern Dynasty officials will tell you that your time to speak has passed.

I have collected a few quotes from one news story that illustrates my point.

Bruce Jenkins, chief operating officer of Northern Dynasty Mines, is telling people to keep an open mind about Pebble. He suggests people keep quiet and withhold judgment because it is too soon to speak out.

"It's way premature for groups to be reaching conclusions that this is a bad project before all the facts are on the table," Jenkins said in a telephone interview with Margaret Bauman, a reporter for the Alaska Journal of Commerce.

Later, in that interview, Jenkins said the Bristol Bay management plan went through a two-year public review process, which was published in 2005. The revised plan referred to the Pebble project more than 25 times, talked about the significance of the deposit and large-mine opportunities, he said.

Jenkins noted that during that public review there were no interventions from the current protesters asking for wildlife and fisheries preserves.

"It sounds to me like it is a little late to suggest that the plan should be undone because now they realize that Pebble is the project with real opportunities," Jenkins said. "It's wrong, it's compromising due process, and it is blatantly unfair."

It seems Jenkins and other officials are telling concerned residents to withhold comment until a later date, then telling them it's too late when they speak.

I seems this has, so far, been an effective method of reducing public outcry during critical permitting and development times. In 2008 to 2010 when Northern Dynasty is completing the permitting process, the company is likely to continue to employ these practices. If many of the concerned residents involved continue to remain quiet, withholding judgment, they may miss their opportunity to speak altogether.

Northern Dynasty's officials will likely express shock at why these opponents did not speak up during the previous 3-4 years while the company was conducting environmental studies and applying for the permits for water- and land-use rights.

They might even say it is unfair for these people to oppose now that the company is almost done with permitting. They may even suggest these folks should withhold comment until after the permits are given. Saying that opposing now is blatantly unfair.

Gary Chythlook