Christina Salmon was walking through the snow to her Igiugig airport office, where she did many jobs including being a village councilor. The sun was just beginning to rise at 9 am on a January morning in Igiugig. Igiugig is home to about 70 people. It lies on the Kvichak River, which flows from Iliamna Lake. This lake is where Yup’ik and Dena’ina, as well as Alutiiq, have lived for thousands upon thousands of years.
Salmon stated that she almost feels relaxed again.
She said, “We’ve just spent so much of our lives fighting Pebble.”
Pebble Mine would be the largest gold and copper mine in the world, but it may never get off the ground. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon make its final decision about the mine.
Salmon received the news she hoped for last month: The EPA recommended a ban on mining activities at the site which is approximately 45 miles from her village. This recommendation would ban all mining activities at the site, as well as any similar mining.
The mine would be effectively killed if the EPA makes that final decision.
Since 2010, some Bristol Bay tribes have pushed to see this action taken. Although Agency officials declined to speak with us for this story, they stated that the mine could cause harm to fish spawning areas and breeding areas. They also said that vetoing it would preserve fisheries and traditional ways of living based on wild salmon.
Pebble was denied a mining permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers two years ago. However, the company appealed this decision. Mike Heatwole, spokesperson for Pebble, stated that the EPA has not followed normal protocol in using the Clean Water Act authority prior to the appeal being processed.
He said, “We continue to state that it is largely illegal and unimaginable what the EPA wants to do regarding this project.”
Heatwole stated that the company might take the fight to the courts. Joel Reynolds, Natural Resources Defense Council, said that the EPA’s use this authority reflects the agency’s serious concerns about the impact of the mine on the region.
He stated that there is “about as much opposition to a project anywhere really, but especially in a state like Alaska, which is development-friendly.”
Many people who want the mine to go ahead say they understand the opposition, but that the economic future of the region is at risk.
George Hornberger, who manages the Newhalen electric utility, said that he believes the EPA should be honest and allow the process to continue. Newhalen is one of the closest communities to the proposed mine site. Hornberger stated that he is concerned about the environmental impacts of the mine, but believes there should be other opportunities for work in the area.
He said, “If it isn’t that, tell me what your plan is for this area.” “What’s your plan to bring economic growth to this area and give people reasons to stay?
Joanne Wassillie is the administrator of the Newhalen Tribal Council and believes that Pebble can safely develop the mine. She also stated that Pebble provided good-paying jobs when it was looking at the site.
She said that there was a positive shift in the way people worked when they were employed. “Then it seemed like once they stopped working, we noticed a lot more depression, no jobs and more alcohol- or drug-related activities.”
Wassillie stated that good jobs would allow people to stay in the places they love. They are now taking this upon themselves.
She said, “We’re going focus on: What are we able to do in Newhalen?”
Newhalen Tribal Council has recently opened a grocery shop. It also has a road program that works with the city to maintain roads. It also helps members without driver’s licenses to get them. Wassillie doesn’t plan to bank on Pebble. Instead, she says, she and others think outside the box.
Karl Hill, vice president of the tribe, stated that he is excited to concentrate on broadband efforts and a new cultural centre in Igiugig.
He stated that “we do need projects to bring money into the region and to help our youth attain higher education.” It is evident that there is a demand for it. However, each project should be considered individually. This one doesn’t work for me.
Hill stated that Pebble debates have relied on economic gains over the years that cannot be weighed against tradition and culture.
He said, “When you talk of a way to live, you can’t give numbers to it.” It’s not worth a million dollars, but it’s worth billions. We all have to be part of a cash-based society. This way of living is still subsistence. You can’t put any value on it. It is worth everything. ”
