Not surprisingly, the mining industry’s massive public relations effort was enough to defeat Ballot Measure 4.  The factors that contributed to its defeat:

1.    The measure itself was imperfect and led to much interpretation
2.    The opponents of the measure outspent proponents by more than a 3/1 margin
3.    Voters were left confused by the barrage of ads on both sides
4.    Most importantly, Governor Sarah Palin speaking as a “private person” announced she would vote “no” just days before the vote

The fight for Bristol Bay is in its initial phase.  The proposition was an aggressive move at a preemptive strike that met stiff opposition from the mining interests.  What is next? (more…)

On August 26, Alaskans will have the chance to vote for Ballot measure 4 – a clean water initiative.  Supporters of the measure argue that this would reinstate stronger standards that were removed by local politicians. Passing Proposition 4 simply means that new mines would need to meet the same restrictions that are required of current mines. Reinstating these clean water initiatives would provide minimal protection of Alaska’s clean waters.

The Pebble Mine Would Be The World’s Largest Open Pit Mine : (more…)

In the middle of the August 26 Ballot Measure 4 debate, filmmakers Travis Rummel and Ben Knight of Felt Soul Media, a Telluride, Colorado-based film company, produced a 55 minute documentary film. It is a must for anyone who wants to learn about Bristol Bay, the local fishing communities and the importance of the pristine environment to the subsistence life style of those who live in the area.  The documentary won Best Film Audience Award and Festival Director’s Award at the May 2008 Mountain Film Festival in Telluride, Colorado.

The filmmakers document the live style of several local fishermen. The film demonstrates that salmon (and other native species) are more than just food for the people who live there … they are the essence of their way of life.  Even though the film provides interviews with mining proponents, the conclusion that one reaches is that one mistake made by at the Pebble mine would destroy the last pristine ecosystem for wild fish in the United States.

As an example, one fact alone makes the Pebble Mine an extreme risk.   In the past, the area experienced earthquakes which have never caused major damage.  Once the huge holding ponds are built, an earthquake could cause them to release huge amounts of toxins into this environment.