Conservation groups speak against Pebble Mine at Wrangell film screening

Bristol Bay is home to the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world, according to pamphlets from the organization Save Bristol Bay. The Kvichak and Nushagak rivers, connecting to the bay, are two of the largest remaining sockeye runs in the world. The sustainable harvest from these runs reportedly provide over half of the sockeye salmon available in the global market. Bristol Bay's fishery supports over 14,000 jobs, the pamphlet says, and drives a $1.5 billion economy.

However, some Alaskan conservation groups fear that Bristol Bay is in danger from the proposed Pebble Mine, which would be placed near the bay's headwaters. Heather Bauscher, with the Sitka Conservation Society, said that the area holds one of the world's largest deposits of copper and gold left in the world. However, she said that the ore body, which is the amount of useful material compared to waste created, is only at one percent.

Bauscher said they came to Wrangell on behalf of Save Bristol Bay to show the documentary, "Red Gold." The film shows life in Bristol Bay, and the pivotal role the salmon play in it. Should the salmon disappear, as some fear would happen with Pebble Mine's operations, it could irreparably harm a unique, Alaskan way of life. The documentary was brought to Wrangell to raise awareness across the state, and to encourage people to make their voice heard. Bristol Bay is far from Southeast Alaska, she said, but they have common dependency on salmon and share a similar coastal way of life.

"We are all salmon people," Bauscher said. "Coastal communities need to stand together to protect our vital salmon resource."

According to Save Bristol Bay's website, Pebble Mine would be one of the largest mines in the world if it is built. It would have a pit that is a mile wide and a quarter mile deep. The entire mine complex itself would cover 20 square miles, and would destroy over 3,000 acres of wetlands and 21 miles of salmon streams. During the mine's lifespan, which is being planned for about 20 years, about 11 billion tons of waste could be generated. There are also concerns about the stability of the tailings dam that would be constructed, Bauscher added, as well as to how the mine plans to keep acidic waste from leaching into the water.

"I grew up in Pennsylvania," she said. "I know firsthand about acid mine drainage and why we couldn't eat any of the fish in the rivers where I grew up. I don't want to see that happen here in Alaska."

Bauscher said that people can get involved in a number of ways. Comments can be submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers before the end of May, she said. They also had petitions at the film screening to Senator Lisa Murkowski for members of the public to sign. More about Save Bristol Bay can be found online at http://www.savebristolbay.org. The Sitka Conservation Society can be found online at http://www.sitkawild.org. Information about "Red Gold" can be found on IMDb.

The Pebble Partnership, the group behind the mine, says on their website that the proposed area of the mine constitutes only one percent of Bristol Bay's watershed. The water that the mine would use only represents a small fraction of what flows into the bay, and they ensure readers that they plan to carefully monitor and treat all water that they put back into the bay. They also add that major mine facilities will only constitute 5.3 square miles and would not, in fact, be the largest mine in Alaska. In short, the Pebble Partnership argues that fishing and mining can co-exist.

Mike Heatwole, with The Pebble Partnership, said that there has been a "tremendous misinformation campaign" surrounding the mine. He added that "Red Gold" is an older film, and that some of the information provided in it may no longer be accurate. He encouraged the public to read the environmental impact statement of the mine for themselves, and to leave public comments with the Army Corps of Engineers.

As to the discrepancy between what Save Bristol Bay and The Pebble Partnership claim the mine's footprint will be, Heatwole said that the 5.3 mile footprint is only the "permanent" footprint that will remain after the mine closes. During operations, the mine will have a footprint closer to 12 miles, he said.

"I don't know what basis they're using for their footprint," he said of Save Bristol Bay.

Heatwole also addressed concerns about contaminating Bristol Bay's water. He said that The Pebble Partnership has spent about $150 million on studies to ensure the mine is safe and does not harm any fish. The mine is designed to have two water treatment plants, for redundancy, and they will take special care to acclimate any water they send back out into the bay. They are working hard to ensure they meet state criteria, he said.

"The draft EIS is clear they don't see any issues with contaminating the Kvichak or Nushagak rivers," he said.

More about The Pebble Partnership can be found online at http://www.pebblepartnership.com.