5 West Coast Senators (All D) Call On Obama To Block Pebble Mine - AFP

[hatrack]

Five Senate Democrats are calling on US President Barack Obama to consider blocking construction of a copper mine in Alaska, arguing it could jeopardize the pristine environment of America's biggest salmon fishery.

The concerns by lawmakers from the western states of California, Oregon and Washington could add to pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency to scupper the huge Pebble Mine project. EPA is currently conducting a study of the impact of the project, which would disrupt several square miles of watershed around Bristol Bay, where an estimated 40 million salmon return every year.

"Water contamination and habitat loss from the construction and operation of a hard rock mine in Bristol Bay would put thousands of fishery-related family wage jobs at risk," wrote the lawmakers, led by Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington state.

The senators pointed to a new study by the University of Alaska's Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), which valued the commercial fishing activities in the region at $1.5 billion in output, including $500 million in direct income. "Additionally, Washington, Oregon and California benefit from $674 million in economic activity from Bristol Bay salmon fishing and processing," the lawmakers said.

EDIT

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/US_senators_urge_Obama_to_block_Alaska_mine_999.html

[Nihil]

1. Good luck.

You'll need it.