The End of Bristol Bay Alaska?
Posted by: Jokerman in Conservation on Apr 15, 2008
This is an open pit mine
Look, you can even see it from space
This is Bristol Bay Alaska
This is a Bristol Bay Rainbow
Unless you act, the Rainbow will be gone and Bristol Bay will be replaced by an open pit mine
Bristol Bay Alaska is one of the most complex and precious ecosystems on the planet, and it is now imperiled by the spectre of the world’s largest open pit mine. Bristol Bay is home to one of the largest runs of sockeye salmon, as well as strong runs of chum salmon, silver salmon and king salmon. It also has one of the best trophy rainbow fisheries anywhere.
The Pebble Partnership wants to create one of North America's largest open-pit gold/copper mines in the headwaters of Bristol Bay. The complex will cover 15 square miles. It will include the largest dam in the world to hold back the toxic waste created in the mining process. Over its lifetime, Pebble Mine will produce 2.5 billion tons of waste.
If you care about this resource, you must act. You cannot count on the press to tell the story. What used to be called the co-equal fourth branch of government has become a conglomerate that cares more about what sells than what matters.
You cannot count on your congressman to act without considerable prodding. Both the Republicans and the Democrats are in the pockets of the lobbyists. After all, they spend 95% of their time chasing campaign contributions. They will do what the mining lobby tells them to do. Hell, they will even let the lobbyists write the legislation.
Despite their preoccupation with campaign contributions, contacting your senator and congressman will help. Your representative actually takes your input seriously. Many of them will even reply to your email. All you have to do is send an email saying you are against the Pebble Mine.
You can obtain your congressman’s email address at www.house.gov and your senator’s at www.senate.gov.
Please take this small step to help save Bristol Bay.
You can learn more about this issue at www.savebristolbay.org or www.sportsmansalliance4ak.org.



