Fighting the Proposed Ban on Alaskan Mining
A group called the Renewable Resource Coalition has filed an anti-mining ballot initiative with the State of Alaska that will be voted on by Alaskans on August 26th. This so-called "clean water initiative" could have a dramatic and devastating impact on Alaska working families. If passed, this initiative could prohibit existing mines from operating and prevent any new mines from opening in Alaska, eliminating any new exploration investment into Alaskan mineral resources.
Supporters of the initiative claim that existing mines would be "grandfathered in" and would be protected. They ignore the reality that existing mines constantly have to apply for new permits and renew old permits to allow their continued operation, so this initiative could shut down mining across Alaska.
Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown (AAMS), a citizens' coalition, has taken the lead in fighting the initiatives put forth by the anti-mining interests in Alaska - including Ballot Measure 4 which could appear on the primary ballot on August 26th.
The AAMS coalition includes individuals and groups representing different business, regional, and political backgrounds that have gathered together to fight the very drastic and deceptive measures put forth by the anti-mining interests. AAMS launched this campaign to do three things:
(1) Protect the over 5,500 direct and indirect mining jobs, and future jobs in over 100 Alaskan communities, many of them in outlying rural Native Alaskan communities;
(2) Preserve the diverse Alaskan communities who depend on mining. Mining provides $175 million in revenue to Alaska State government, and $14 million in revenue to local governments and, in some cases, is the only source of revenue to to rural communities.
(3) Responsibly protect Alaska's future by ensuring our great mineral wealth continues to be a significant, growing sector of Alaska's economy.
AAMS also promotes responsible resource development, believing that economic development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. Alaska has very rigorous environmental standards and processes that mining projects have to go through, and the anti-mining interests would arbitrarily override these science-based processes and standards.
The positive response to our campaign in Alaska has been broad and deep. Everyday, we add new supporters to our coalition. An important ally in our campaign is the Alaska Native community, who have interests in mining operations in state and on whose land existing mines now operate and future projects are under exploration. The leadership of all Alaska Native Corporations, 13 federally established companies established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), have filed legal actions opposing these measures and are campaigning against them. In addition, the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), a broader group representing Alaska Natives statewide has stated their clear opposition. These groups see anti-mining forces as seriously diminishing the long-term resource development value of native lands that could be the focus of mining exploration and development. Their participation will be important to the effort to inform Alaska's voters about the damaging effects of ballot measure 4 and other anti-mining efforts.
About Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown
Read the news release: Alaskans Unite Against Mining Shutdown
Founding members of the campaign committee include NANA Regional Corporation president Marie Greene of Kotzebue, Kristen Cole of Wasilla, Bill Corbus of Juneau, Hugh Fate of Fairbanks, Robert Favretto of Kenai, Cheryl Frasca of Anchorage, Ernie Hall of Anchorage, Marc Langland of Anchorage, Matthew Nicolai of Anchorage, Vicki Otte of Anchorage, Mark Pfeffer of Anchorage, Ramona Reeves of Fairbanks, John Sandor of Juneau, Helvi Sandvik of Anchorage, William Sheffield of Anchorage, John Shively of Anchorage, Rick Solie of Fairbanks, Arliss Sturgulewski of Anchorage, Dan Sullivan of Anchorage, Jim Taro of Ketchikan, Tim Towarak of Nome, Mead Treadwell of Anchorage, Jim Whitaker of Fairbanks, Bill Williams of Ketchikan, and Mayor John Williams of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.