4-3-2018
Pebble Mine
EIS Comments Can Be Submitted Here: https://pebbleprojecteis.com/publiccomments/new
View Submitted Comments Here:
https://pebbleprojecteis.com/publiccomments/list
View Submitted Comments Here:
https://pebbleprojecteis.com/publiccomments/list
Currently
the US Army Corps of Engineers is taking public testimony on the plan by a
foreign and outside corporations to build a mine on top of the Bristol Bay Wild
Salmon spawning grounds. This facility
will be so large that it will be visible from space. Beyond the mine itself, there will be an 83
mile long transportation corridor from the site to Iliamna Lake across the lake to Kokhanok and
then over to Amakdedori on the western side of Cook Inlet. Part of that
transportation corridor is a 12inch Natural Gas pipeline that will be supplied
by nearly 100 miles of under-water pipeline coming from the Kenai Peninsula.
Personally, I am adamantly opposed to the development of the Pebble project or another subsequent project in this region. As I have been researching and writing (links @ bottom) about this and other mineral exploration projects in this region for a decade or more, I have come to this conclusion; The risks are just too high to perpetually imperil such a great resource area for a 20 year ‘get rich quick scheme being offered by outside and foreign corporations. This one project is just the toe in the door… so with the other explored claims this ‘gold rush’ will last maybe 40 years with really not much apparent in-region benefit. However, when discussing the potential for development, its only common sense to prepare for what may happen, not doing so can lead to ending up with the short stick.
Fact: It is highly likely that the Pebble Mine will proceed to development and the residents of Bristol Bay must be prepared for what will happen. That nearly 200 miles of pipeline has to be built and maintained by someone. Our regional ANCSA Corporation is already in the pipeline construction and maintenance industry. Seems like a perfect fit for the people to get some benefit like jobs and dividend income. Those communities along the corridor will also benefit from access to lower cost and cleaner Natural Gas for electricity, heating and cooking. Here’s a question for Pebble… Will that pipeline be capable of providing gas even farther into Bristol Bay?
Personally, I am adamantly opposed to the development of the Pebble project or another subsequent project in this region. As I have been researching and writing (links @ bottom) about this and other mineral exploration projects in this region for a decade or more, I have come to this conclusion; The risks are just too high to perpetually imperil such a great resource area for a 20 year ‘get rich quick scheme being offered by outside and foreign corporations. This one project is just the toe in the door… so with the other explored claims this ‘gold rush’ will last maybe 40 years with really not much apparent in-region benefit. However, when discussing the potential for development, its only common sense to prepare for what may happen, not doing so can lead to ending up with the short stick.
Fact: It is highly likely that the Pebble Mine will proceed to development and the residents of Bristol Bay must be prepared for what will happen. That nearly 200 miles of pipeline has to be built and maintained by someone. Our regional ANCSA Corporation is already in the pipeline construction and maintenance industry. Seems like a perfect fit for the people to get some benefit like jobs and dividend income. Those communities along the corridor will also benefit from access to lower cost and cleaner Natural Gas for electricity, heating and cooking. Here’s a question for Pebble… Will that pipeline be capable of providing gas even farther into Bristol Bay?
When this development comes along.
Bristol Bay has to be ready to take advantage of every opportunity and have a ‘seat
at the table’ to ensure that We do get the most We can out of Our
resources. We also have to have that
seat at the table to do all that we can to make sure that any resource
development is done with the best possible practices and remediation. If we don’t then we’re going to be stuck with
the scraps and mess.
In closing I want to refer readers to this:
Regional Resource
Development Resolution
We the members of theBAYpac do
set forth this document of resolution and recommendations for consideration by
our fellow Bristol Bay residents:
In
understanding that it is Our duty as people to stand up and protect the future
use of All resources that lie within the boundaries as set forth by the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), We the members of theBAYpac have
developed this document to serve as a guideline for encouraging public
participation in all aspects of resource development.
Resource development in this
document is defined as:
Exploration,
Development and Extraction of ALL Natural Resources.
The goals of this
document are to address 5 key issues surrounding regional resource development
that We see as critical to the future sustainability of Bristol Bay.
1. Safe and Sustainable
Resource Development
2. Reclamation and Mitigation
of Development
3. Irrevocable Trust
4. Social Welfare Advancement
5. Regional Resource Control
Read more of the resolution here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/512177485527103/
Dirty Diamonds in Bristol
Bay: http://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2012/09/dirty-diamonds-apartheid-dead-salmon.html
Why people don’t trust Pebble with Video: http://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-else-to-say-about-pebble.html
The Politics & Science
of Pebble Mine: http://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-dont-have-to-be-scientist-to.html
Strikes Against The
Salmon: http://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2012/07/strikes-against-salmon.html
Other mining projects in
Bristol Bay: http://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2012/11/bristol-bay-in-under-attack.html
The Engineering and Flaws
of Pebble Mine: http://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/2012/06/pebble-reality.html