Top officials in the Alaska Republican Party have taken a stand in support of the Pebble mine, a project that the state GOP says will generate millions of dollars in annual revenue to benefit the regional and state economies.
According to the resolution approved by the state GOP’s central committee on Aug. 9 the Pebble project would create an estimated 750-1,000 mining jobs, plus an additional 1,000 support jobs, and the average wage is projected to be $100,000 annually.
That resolution drew criticism on Monday, Aug. 17, from Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, whose legislative districts include Cordova. Both said the words in that resolution did not speak for them or a lot of other Republicans.
“I believe in responsible resource development and the Pebble mine in Bristol Bay is the wrong mine in the wrong place,” said Stutes, echoing the words of the late Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. “That is not responsible resource development. Count me out on this one. I am not a supporter of the mine in Bristol Bay.”
Sen. Gary Stevens agreed, saying development of that mine is just not worth it. The resolution, said Stevens, “appears to be the consensus of urban Republicans, but it does not represent the attitude of my senate district, which includes Kodiak, Homer, Seldovia, Cordova and Yakutat as well as several smaller communities.”
Stevens, a retired history professor, said he has nothing against mining in general and that it has had an important impact of Alaska’s history and economy.
“The problem with Pebble is that if there is even a minor mistake or release from their holding pools it could destroy some of the last major salmon streams in our country,” he said. “Taking such a chance is just not worth it.”
Bristol Bay salmon meanwhile contribute enormously to Alaskans through jobs for fishermen and processors, as well as revenue to the state, he said.
Stevens noted that Alaska’s fishing communities have consistently opposed development of this mine, as has the Bristol Bay Native Corp. He recalled attending a public hearing held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where many local residents testified about how their lives and culture would be changed forever with the loss of their salmon runs.
State legislators in the upcoming session will have a say on this issue and will make the strongest argument possible to ensure the Pebble mine does not occur, he said.
