The Pebble Mine
Copper Fish
I have been lucky enough during my few years as a human to travel through remote parts of this wild planet. North to South, on foot or by plane, I have seen firsthand how nations have either protected the land they possess or stomp it into the ground. My favorite trip of all time took place this last spring of 2013 on a road trip from California, through Canada and into Alaska. To say the least, it was a humbling trip to witness the vast expanse of untouched land I only dreamed of getting lost in. I have always been one to question and act upon what humanity can do to protect what is left of our last frontiers, and this 3000 mile road trip north brought it all into perspective. One of our goals along this journey was to ask questions, educate ourselves and raise awareness about a proposed mineral mine that sits on some of Earth’s most pristine regions. In order to preserve untouched and pure land in Bristol Bay, AK, the construction of an open-pit mineral deposit known as Pebble Mine needs to be put to a halt. This mine has potential to negatively affect the local ecosystem, including the largest salmon fishery in the world, which will also affect the long-term sustainability of the current ecosystem and environment as well as the residents.
Bristol Bay is located in Southwest Alaska about 200 miles west from Anchorage,
AK as the bird flies. This unique area sits on the outside of the 400-mile Alaskan peninsula which separates it and protects the Gulf of Alaska (“Bristol Bay, Alaska”).
This area is one of the world’s last wild frontiers. There are still uncharted territories and among the wild land are small villages that are inhabited by Alaskan Natives. These humans have been settled in Alaska for generations and depend on the land to feed their
!1
families and to generate their power. With the growing demand for renewable resources such as the fisheries, and non-renewable resources such as gas, copper and gold, the local
I have been lucky enough during my few years as a human to travel through remote parts of this wild planet. North to South, on foot or by plane, I have seen firsthand how nations have either protected the land they possess or stomp it into the ground. My favorite trip of all time took place this last spring of 2013 on a road trip from California, through Canada and into Alaska. To say the least, it was a humbling trip to witness the vast expanse of untouched land I only dreamed of getting lost in. I have always been one to question and act upon what humanity can do to protect what is left of our last frontiers, and this 3000 mile road trip north brought it all into perspective. One of our goals along this journey was to ask questions, educate ourselves and raise awareness about a proposed mineral mine that sits on some of Earth’s most pristine regions. In order to preserve untouched and pure land in Bristol Bay, AK, the construction of an open-pit mineral deposit known as Pebble Mine needs to be put to a halt. This mine has potential to negatively affect the local ecosystem, including the largest salmon fishery in the world, which will also affect the long-term sustainability of the current ecosystem and environment as well as the residents.
Bristol Bay is located in Southwest Alaska about 200 miles west from Anchorage,
AK as the bird flies. This unique area sits on the outside of the 400-mile Alaskan peninsula which separates it and protects the Gulf of Alaska (“Bristol Bay, Alaska”).
This area is one of the world’s last wild frontiers. There are still uncharted territories and among the wild land are small villages that are inhabited by Alaskan Natives. These humans have been settled in Alaska for generations and depend on the land to feed their
!1
families and to generate their power. With the growing demand for renewable resources such as the fisheries, and non-renewable resources such as gas, copper and gold, the local