Taryn Kiekow, Staff Attorney, Marine Mammal Protection Project, Santa Monica, California

Alaska Congressman Don Young went on the offensive this week with a press release dismissing opposition by “outside interests” to the Pebble Mine – a giant gold and copper mine proposed at the headwaters of the world’s greatest wild salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska.  He took issue in particular with “radical environmental groups” whose members recently have weighed in strongly in support of EPA’s Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment, a comprehensive and independent scientific study of the likely devastating impacts of large-scale mining in the region.

Who is he kidding?  Pebble Mine is opposed overwhelmingly by Alaskans and promoted exclusively by a consortium of foreign mining companies, based in the UK and Canada.  These foreign mining interests are doing everything humanly possible to derail the efforts of Alaska Natives and local fishermen to enlist EPA’s assistance to prevent the certain destruction of their communities, their fisheries, and their way of life.   

Yes, environmental groups like NRDC have members – both in Alaska and the lower 48 – who have lined up strongly in support of Alaskans in opposing the Pebble Mine.  And this well documented local opposition ...

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