A review has a purpose — to weigh the pros and cons of an issue.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proceeding with an environmental review of the proposed Pebble Mine.
Mining for gold and copper in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region is controversial. About half of the world’s supply of sockeye salmon is harvested nearby.
Gov. Bill Walker has asked that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers halt the review. Instead, Walker favors an economic assessment of which the Corps isn’t required to perform. But the review cannot be halted per Corps rules except by the applicant or for failure of the applicant to provide requested information.
The applicant, Pebble Limited Partnership, has made no such request. As recently as June, the Pebble partnership indicated it believes the mine can be operated responsibly.
Like many places in Alaska, Bristol Bay is a treasure.
The environmental scrutiny should be rigorous. Alaskans should find out what the environmental effects might be before deciding on the prospective mine.
A review conducted fairly will provide such information. Then Alaskans will be fully prepared to make a Pebble Mine decision.
—Ketchikan Daily News, July 30, 2018
