This document summarizes the debate over resource use in Bristol Bay, Alaska between the salmon fishing industry and a proposed copper, gold, and molybdenum mine called the Pebble Project. The salmon fishing industry is economically and culturally important to the region, employing over 11,000 people and providing food for the winter. However, the Pebble Project mine promises jobs and tax revenue but could negatively impact salmon runs through water pollution and degradation of habitat. Locals, fishermen, politicians and environmental groups have concerns about its environmental impacts and effects on the salmon-dependent lifestyle and economy, while the mine representatives emphasize its economic benefits.

1. Salmon vs. Gold, Copper, and
Molybdenum: The Debate
over Resource Use in Bristol
Bay, Alaska
Naomi and Meg

4. Salmon Runs
∗ 2009-2010 an
estimated 80 million
salmon retuned to the
region
∗ Salmon is the
backbone of the
Bristol Bay region,
economically and
culturally

5. Salmon Industry
∗ Commercial
∗ Employs 11, 572 people
∗ Net worth $120 billion
∗ Season: end of June-the 3rd
week of July
∗ Drift and setnet operations
∗ Sport fishing
∗ Largely catch and release
∗ Subsistence
∗ Food for throughout the winter

6. ∗ Northern Dynasty Ltd. and
Anglo American PLC
∗ Rio Tinto PLC holds 20%
ownership in Northern
Dynasty Ltd.
∗ Kennecott Utah Copper-
visible from space
Pebble Limited Partnership

7. ∗ Copper, gold, molybdenum
∗ Open-pit and underground
∗ Estimated worth $100-$500 billion
∗ 2,000 construction jobs
∗ 1,000 highly-skilled and highly-paid jobs
∗ Additional infrastructure :
∗ 86-mile road
∗ Ore pipeline
∗ Power-plant
∗ Port facility
Pebble Project

9. ∗ Long term impacts on the health of salmon
runs
∗ Initial economic gain, prior to environmental
degradation
∗ Transition from subsistence lifestyle to more
urban/modern
∗ Loss of voice
Fishermen

10. ∗ Economic benefits
∗ Jobs
∗ Tax revenue
∗ Renewable resources should not be traded
for non-renewable resources
∗ Grave concerns about environmental impacts
Politicians

11. ∗ Ecosystem will be impacted
∗ Committed to ensuring the success of
fisheries and mining
∗ Fraser River, Canada
∗ Revenue contribution to the state
∗ Year-round jobs, infrastructure
Pebble Representative

12. ∗ Geological-seismic activity
∗ Fault with unknown location (5-18 miles)
∗ Tailings dam (largest in the world)
∗ Ecological
∗ Salmon olfactory sensors (spawning)
∗ Water pollution with toxic waste
∗ Social
∗ Dependence on salmon
∗ Cultural
∗ Loss of identity for Native Populations
Concerns

13. ∗ Urge companies to adhere to “No Dirty
Mining”
∗ Ex: Tiffany & Co. “No Dirty Gold” campaign
∗ NEPA
∗ Encourage public input against the mine
∗ Potential lawsuit
∗ Contact legislators voicing concerns
Action Plan

15. ∗ Alaskans need to ask themselves what is more
important, sustainable salmon runs or a
maximum of 50 years of revenue from a mine.

17. Questions?