Pebble Mine, a proposed copper-, gold- and molybdenum-exploration project in Alaska's Bristol Bay area, has become an environmental and political hot button in this election year. This recent report from the Kansas City Star explains the wrangling between members of the United States Congress - primarily Republicans - and the Environmental Protection Agency over the potential for an EPA study to be used to block the proposed mining operation.
Bristol Bay "produces about half the wild sockeye salmon worldwide," reported Sean Cockerham in the Kansas City Star report. Yet the proposed mining site is the largest copper-gold deposit in development, according to a report from Minefund.com.
The discourse among concerned parties includes questions about the thoroughness of a study the EPA recently conducted on the proposed mine's potential environmental impact. Cockerham reported that the EPA study, termed a draft assessment, "found that even if such a mine operated smoothly up to 87 miles of rivers or streams would be lost or blocked, as could thousands of acres of wetlands that are vital fish habitat." The EPA has staked a claim of having the ability to block plans for the mine before developers reach the point of applying for permits.
You can read Sean Cockerham's full story here.
Wikipedia entry: Pebble Mine
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