Pebble mine news roundup, Aug. 30
The week’s news concerning the proposed Pebble mine is varied. See stories on a Lake and Pen conflicts of interest ruling, election results and a new study on climate change.
Judge insists local leaders near Pebble mine avoid conflicts of interest (Alaska Dispatch, Aug. 25)
An Alaska Superior Court judge has told two Southwest Alaska leaders with financial ties to the proposed Pebble mine to start obeying the law. A judge told Lake and Peninsula Borough Mayor Glen Alsworth Sr. and Assemblywoman Lorene “Sue” Anelon to stop using their official positions for personal or financial gain.
Ballot Measure 2 goes down by wide margin (Alaska Journal of Commerce, Aug. 29)
The ballot proposition that would have reestablished a state coastal management program in Alaska was heavily defeated by voters in the state’s primary election held Aug. 28. Alaska is the only coastal U.S. state that does not have a coastal management program. The state’s program expired in 2011, after the state Legislature failed to extend it.
Arctic sea ice melts to record low (Associated Press, via the Anchorage Daily News, Aug. 27)
The National Snow and Ice Data Center reports that the Arctic sea ice shrank to record lows this summer, breaking the previous record set in 2007. Data center scientist Ted Scambos told the Associated Press the melt can be blamed mostly on global warming, as well as natural elements, including a large storm earlier this month.
See the full report by the National Snow and ice Data Center.
In other areas of interest:
Begich to introduce seafood marketing legislation
U.S. Sen. Mark Begich said he’ll introduce next month legislation to create a national seafood marketing and development effort to increase the value, and create jobs, in the seafood industry. Find more information on his website.
Alaska Marketplace Competition deadline approaches
The Alaska Marketplace Competition deadline is fast approaching. Written or video essays are due Sept. 28. This year’s theme is “Investing in You,” with sub-themes of Sharing Knowledge, Building Partnerships, Finding Opportunity and Perpetuating Tradition. The Alaska Marketplace brings together visionaries, financiers, technical experts and entrepreneurs. The competition promotes innovative concepts to drive economic development and serve rural Alaska communities. For details, go to the Alaska Marketplace website.
Sockeye or blueback?
Check out this interesting National Geographic fact sheet on sockeye salmon.