Alaska Natives on both sides of development debate

Thursday, March 1, 2007  

Alaska Natives testified for and against a bill that seeks to protect salmon and restrict mining in Bristol Bay.

Several Native villages are located near some of the state's largest salmon fisheries. But a Canadian company is proposing to build a massive copper and gold mineral mine in a place called Pebble.

Some village residents said they supported the bill, which would limit development but allow exceptions for traditional use. But other Natives, including an employee of the mining company, said their region desperately needs economic opportunities.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. says the bill, if passed, would block its proposed mine.

Get the Story:
Salmon take center stage in testimony (The Anchorage Daily News 3/1)
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