Bristol Bay Native Corporation has written a letter to State of Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and Attorney General John Burns asking them to support residents of Bristol Bay’s Lake and Peninsula Borough in their right to vote on the “Save our Salmon” initiative currently on the October 4 ballot. The Pebble Limited Partnership asked the Alaska Supreme Court to remove the initiative from the ballot, and the State of Alaska has requested to join the Pebble Partnership as a “friend of the court” in these proceedings.
A BBNC press release further explains its position on this issue:
In its letter, BBNC expressed its disappointment with the State of Alaska’s August 8 request that the Alaska Supreme Court prevent that vote. “BBNC believes in the right of Lake and Peninsula Borough residents to express their opinion through a vote,” said Jason Metrokin, CEO of BBNC. “The State of Alaska should not stand between those residents and the ballot box.”
BBNC encouraged the State to hold off on its involvement in the matter until citizens of the Lake and Peninsula Borough have an opportunity to review and vote on the initiative. If the ballot initiative is approved, the State will have an opportunity to express their concerns in a post-election litigation.
BBNC supports responsible resource development on the lands the corporation owns-as well as on other lands within the region-that are consistent with shareholder values. The corporation remains vigilant in protecting the interests of its shareholders and the region as a whole, and is dedicated to its mission of “Enriching our Native way of life.”
Read the entire press release.
Read more about the legal battle related to the “Save Our Salmon” initiative.