Pebble: Final Review Shows Mine Can Be Developed Responsibly
for most of my career and can say with certainty the USACE has done a very good job. I have been laser focused on making sure that any permit received for the project could withstand a court challenge and I am confident the process followed to produce this thorough EIS will prevail.” The Partnership has announced a number of new economic benefits from the project, including planning an annual dividend from mine revenues to residents of Bristol Bay. “Pebble can potentially make a significant contribution to Alaska’s economy with hundreds of millions in annual activity and a multibillion-dollar construction phase. It could mean good, year-round jobs in Southwest Alaska where full-time employment is seriously lacking. We have worked to establish solid business relationships with Iliamna Lake village corporations where the local hire commitment can be fully realized. We have broader support closest to the project where stakeholders have had time to learn about all aspects of the project and have seen the positive impact of our exploration work. “Pebble could be a tremendous economic catalyst for the region and for Southcentral Alaska. And it can be done without harming the fishery and water resources of the region. “Now that the federal review has so clearly stated that this project can be done safely and without harm to subsistence and commercial salmon harvests, I encourage Bristol Bay residents to register for the Pebble Performance Dividend to share in the Pebble opportunity. Eligible participants are encouraged to sign up by the end of August. “Alaskans have demanded that Pebble, and any Alaska resource development project, meet its high standards before the project could advance. We have passed a critical milestone on that journey. I want to commend and thank the many people who have helped get us to this point. “We look forward the seeing the Record of Decision for the project, initiating the state’s rigorous permitting process, and ultimately constructing a mine at the Pebble Deposit. And I look forward to Alaskans learning more about the real Pebble story for themselves and recognizing it can be done responsibly.”
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I August 2020
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