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Pebbles mine project permit put on hold

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As you may know I am somewhat obsessed with bears, especially the brown bears of Katmai Wildlife Reserve in Alaska. In the last few days the permit for the Pebbles mine project on the Bristol river, which poses a potential environmental disaster for wildlife and the environment, was put on hold. The EPA web page on Bristol Bay says they have received over one million public comments opposed to the project. Because of this the permit has been put on hold and the EPA is asking   for more input. I had previously written to express my opposition but I sent another missive last Friday. Here is what I told them. I am strongly opposed to the proposed mine near Bristol Bay. Personally, this a very important area for me and I want to see it protected. Additionally the possible pollution and habitat destruction will have an adverse effect on the wild life and the environment here The Native Americans here and in other areas depend on the sockeye run for a large part of ...

Katmai National Park, Bristol river system and local environment is now under threat with Pebbles Mine proposal

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The Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke recently encouraged the application for an open pit strip mine digging for gold in the Bristol Bay area. The previous administration had opposed this and wouldn't allow them to apply.  The U.S. Corps of Engineers will have to approve the permit after reviewing the environmental impact.  If this is allowed it will do serious and permanent damage to the local river system and Katmai National Park, home of the largest sockeye salmon run in the world.  This is an environment which is dependent on the salmon as the key species. Local Native Americans have fished these waters for centuries and depend on the salmon for their tribal economy. Wild life such as the Alaskan brown bear and other creatures make their living eating these salmon. The bears also drive a lucrative tourism industry which attracts people from all over the world that come to see the bears in their natural setti...