Protections from Mining

STRATEGIC ACTION #4

Prevent Habitat Damage that Could Result from Mining

Large scale open pit mining poses the most significant potential threat to the integrity of the Nushagak watershed. A large deposit of copper and gold at the headwaters of the Nushagak River known as the Pebble Prospect is currently undergoing extensive evaluation to determine whether constructing a large scale open pit mine could be a viable economic enterprise. Millions of dollars are also being spent gathering the information necessary to satisfy the requirements of the numerous Federal and State permits that must be obtained before any mining can commence. The feasibility of mining any deposit in the watershed has not yet been determined and at the time of this report the first permit applications for the Pebble Prospect are not expected to be submitted before 2011. However, even if the Pebble Prospect is not feasible or is not approved for development, mining in the watershed, unless prohibited by law, must be considered likely at some point in the future.

Many organizations and individuals have already concluded the risks associated with mining the Pebble Prospect are too great. Most of the tribal governments and ANCSA village corporations along the Nushagak River have gone on record opposing the development of the Pebble Prospect. An alliance of sport and commercial fishing interests has formed an advocacy organization called The Renewable Resources Coalition to lead the campaign against the development of Pebble. National conservation groups like Trout Unlimited are also rallying behind the effort to stop the mine.

Minimize Habitat Damage Resulting from Mining

The inherent nature of mining, and particularly sulfide ore body mines like the Pebble Prospect, presents unavoidable risks to fish and wildlife habitat. If the Pebble Prospect is not developed a significant threat to habitat within the watershed will have been removed. The Nushagak-Mulchatna Watershed Council believes, however, it is wise to anticipate that a mine proposal will be put through the permit process and accordingly we must be prepared to work within the legal process established to evaluate permit requests to assure the application of environmental standards that minimize habitat damage and to obtain trade-offs or concessions for damage that cannot be avoided if a mine is eventually permitted.