The Blog 

So, who do you believe when it comes to the question of whether salmon and sulfide mining can co-exist?  A Fisheries Biologist? or the CEO of the mining company that is proposing to develop a massive open pit mine at the headwaters of the world’s largest wild salmon fishery?  Don’t miss this op-ed by fisheries biologist Carol Ann Woody, who’s been studying the salmon in Bristol Bay for over a decade.

The Orthodox Church hosted the Great Blessing of the Water this week, and raised concerns about the proposed Pebble Mine.  “Hundreds of Orthodox Alaska Natives have banded together to oppose the State of Alaska’s authorizing the development of the Pebble Project,” said Father Michael.  “In an effort to express support for them in their struggle to save their culture, their way of life, their commitment to the land that has sustained them and their ancestors for the last 12,000 years, the Diocese of Alaska passed a unanimous resolution in 2009, invoking God’s blessing on any development that would improve the economy and enhance the quality of life in rural Alaska and withholding such approval for any that threatened to pollute or poison the ecosystem.

Tiffany & Co. weighs in on behalf of Bristol Bay, Alaska in a stunning full page advertisement the December issue of National Geographic, and National Post comments on the ad, and interviews it’s Canada Vice President, ““Frankly,” Tiffany & Co. Canada vice-president Andrea Hopson said in an interview earlier this week, “this is an area of passion for me, as well as for our chairman [Michael Kowalski] and our whole organization. And as a fine jeweller, we’re unique in the degree that we’ve expressed this. Our chairman has stood before Congress to address the issue.”

Former Alaska State Senate President Rick Halford has authored an op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News about the long-term liability of the proposed Pebble Mine, and why he opposes it.  Don’t miss it!

Nunamta Aulukestai, an association of nine native village corporations in Bristol Bay, Alaska, have placed an ad in the Anchorage Daily News and Bristol Bay Times asking for an apology from Anglo American’s point person on the proposed Pebble Mine — John Shively.  The Ad is in the form of a letter to the CEO of Anglo American – Cynthia Carroll, asking her to secure an apology from Mr. Shively for accusing them of “legal terrorism” for pursuing a legal challenge against the mine.  Read the AP article. “If defending the laws of Alaska and the United States is considered terrorism, protecting clean air and clean water … then, what has this country become?” said Trish Rolfe, of Trustees for Alaska, the law firm representing the community leaders.

The Executive Director of Nunamta Aulukestai – an association of eight native village corporations – speaks out against Anglo American’s “dialogue” process at the proposed Pebble Mine in southwest Alaska.

“In the end, while the topic of discussion on Dec. 3 is “responsible mining,” mining is by definition not “responsible” when it endangers irreplaceable renewable resources and ignores the desires of the communities who depend upon those resources.”

Don’t miss the world-wide coverage of the controversial Pebble Mine by BBC’s world service.  Click here for the story that aired last week about the prominent US and UK jewellers who have vowed not to source gold from the proposed mine due to the international significance of Bristol Bay!

Hello from across the pond.

We arrived in London without Bobby’s luggage.  My worse nightmare.  We started joking about Bobby being the naked Eskimo in London.  Whoo hoo!  I had a breakfast of bacon and egg buttie – and it was yummy.  Remember – I like food!

Finally recovering from jet lag.  And, we’ll go to bed at a normal time tonight.  We had our first meetings today – and I was impressed that people were aware of  Pebble and its problems.

Tomorrow is our press briefing, and I’m a bit nervous, as usual.  But, it’s important to overcome my fears to save our salmon.

I’m so looking forward to walking barefoot on Abbel Road – for all you Beatle fans out there!

That’s it for now,

Lydia Olympic

It’s a great story and slide show about the fabulous Bristol Bay salmon fishery.

The largest fishing trade organization in Alaska has joined several federally recognized Alaska Native tribes in asking the Environmental Protect Agency to protect Bristol Bay from large-scale mining using the Clean Water Act.

United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on Oct. 12 asking her to use her agency’s authority under section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act in the Bristol Bay watershed. This provision of the nation’s premier water pollution prevention law gives EPA discretion to stop the discharge of waste into waters of the United States. Read more at this link.