"Bristol Bay Native Corp. is a billion-dollar economic engine with a 40-year history of responsible development. In 2007, more than two-thirds of BBNC shareholders opposed the proposed Pebble mine project -- a number assuredly on the rise. If that didn't make you think, nearly 85 percent of Bristol Bay residents and some 90 percent of Bristol Bay commercial fishermen also oppose the proposed large-scale, metallic sulfide mine.
Of course, responsible development is occurring around the state and needs to continue. Development supported by land owners and local user groups is necessary for the financial and social frameworks of Alaska. However, the proposed Pebble mine project does not have the support needed to move-forward.
As the noise around Pebble was building, BBNC was doing its homework. In December 2009, after engaging in years of study, shareholder meetings and information-gathering, BBNC formally opposed the project. Bristol Bay Natives have a voice and we are using it. This is not the squeaky wheel minority opinion but rather an expression of the vast majority of individuals and organizations who are the true stewards of the land, water and resources.
As an owner of 3 million acres of subsurface lands in Bristol Bay, BBNC is not opposed to appropriate development -- but we cannot support development "at any cost." The Pebble deposit is on state land and therefore BBNC does not have a decisive role to grant permits or collect royalties from production. Although the state claims to have a robust system for permitting projects, the responsibility to pay for permitting lies with the developer. In other words, mine developers will pay the state to review and approve their own permits."
Get the Story:Jason Metrokin: Bristol Bay headwaters no place for Pebble (The Anchorage Daily News 9/24) Another Opinion:
Paul Jenkins: Pebble's foe going all out to discredit mine efforts (The Anchorage Daily News 9/25) Related Stories:
Opinion: Wes Studi shilling for developers of controversial mine (9/22)
Opinion: Pebble Mine supporter insults Alaska Native leaders (9/9)
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