US plans development in world's largest salmon run
source: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN1446228720081115
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- jefftego
- added this
Nearly 2 million acres of U.S. federal land in southwestern Alaska best known for its rich salmon runs and abundant wildlife will be available for development under a new management plan released on Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
The management plan covers up to 1.9 million acres of mostly flat terrain near Bristol Bay and adjacent Goodnews Bay that, up to now, had been off-limits to development.
Mining giant Anglo American (AAL.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Vancouver-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (NDM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) are proposing to build a huge copper, gold and molybdenum mine -- the Pebble project -- on state land in the region.
The Pebble project has drawn fierce opposition for the potential damage it may cause to Bristol Bay salmon runs, the world's largest. At the same time, the Bush administration and Alaska state government are advocating offshore oil and gas development near Bristol Bay.
Gary Reimer, manager for the BLM's Anchorage district, said the new plan establishes a framework for permits and regulations should any development be proposed, but that it is unlikely that the BLM land in the management plan will be the site of any major new development.
"Do we believe this would lead to anything of any size? No," Reimer said. "Of the 1.9 million (acre) area, there is very little mineral potential."
Environmentalists disagree and characterize the new plan as part of a strategy to open up the entire area to mining and drilling. Fishing and Native groups have also fought the new plan since it was proposed in draft form a year ago.
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With the collapse of many fisheries around the world, this sounds like a really short sighted idea all based on short-term profit at the expense of long-term sustainability.
The management plan covers up to 1.9 million acres of mostly flat terrain near Bristol Bay and adjacent Goodnews Bay that, up to now, had been off-limits to development.
Mining giant Anglo American (AAL.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Vancouver-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd (NDM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) are proposing to build a huge copper, gold and molybdenum mine -- the Pebble project -- on state land in the region.
The Pebble project has drawn fierce opposition for the potential damage it may cause to Bristol Bay salmon runs, the world's largest. At the same time, the Bush administration and Alaska state government are advocating offshore oil and gas development near Bristol Bay.
Gary Reimer, manager for the BLM's Anchorage district, said the new plan establishes a framework for permits and regulations should any development be proposed, but that it is unlikely that the BLM land in the management plan will be the site of any major new development.
"Do we believe this would lead to anything of any size? No," Reimer said. "Of the 1.9 million (acre) area, there is very little mineral potential."
Environmentalists disagree and characterize the new plan as part of a strategy to open up the entire area to mining and drilling. Fishing and Native groups have also fought the new plan since it was proposed in draft form a year ago.
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With the collapse of many fisheries around the world, this sounds like a really short sighted idea all based on short-term profit at the expense of long-term sustainability.
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onechance
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Where's the petition? What can we DO?
- 3 years ago
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onechance
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