Pebble news this week
In Pebble news this week we learn about state legislation that could affect development of the proposed mine. The Sacramento Bee also ran a story regarding a new study released by The Wild Salmon Center and Trout Unlimited.
“Pebble Mine a topic of legislation this session: Legislation seeks to strengthen mixing zones, legislative oversight” – (Juneau Empire, January 31, 2012)
Russell Stigall reports on two bills that would could affect development of the proposed Pebble mine:
- Senate Bill 152, “Approval of Bristol Bay Sulfide Mine” – would require legislative approval before issuing an “authorization, license, permit, or approval of a plan of operation for a large-scale metallic sulfide mining operation that could affect water in or flowing into or over the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve.”
- House Bill 85, “Mixing zones and Sewage Systems with Potential Effects to the Pebble Project” – would “prevent discharge of pollutants into any freshwater spawning area of the species identified on the statutory list if they spawn in nests.”
Stigall also interviewed Deputy Commissioner for Alaska Department of Natural Resources Ed Fogels about the permitting process. Fogels noted that Pebble permitting will take more time, resources, and manpower than permitting for other projects, but said, “We can permit a project like Pebble.”
Read the entire story in the Juneau Empire.
“New scientific report concludes Anglo American’s Pebble Mine is too risky for Bristol Bay, Alaska” – (Sacramento Bee, February 7, 2012)
The Sacramento Bee story references a press release from the Wild Salmon Center, which announces a new scientific report: “Bristol Bay’s Wild Salmon Ecosystems and the Pebble Mine: Key Considerations for a Large-Scale Mine Proposal.” The report is critical of Pebble Mine development, noting negative impacts on wild salmon habitat.