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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Fly Fish America - September 2007 Issue - Index

A fence-sitting governor, a pro-mining DNR commissioner, and a legislature that bends to
the will of the mining lobby make the fight to stop the mine at the state level an uphill battle.
which way they're going to blow. On the encouraging side, we
found this straightforward policy statement on her website (www.
palinforgovernor.com):
"As part of a Bristol Bay fishing family myself, I would not support
any resource development that would endanger the most sensitive
and productive fishery in the world.?
Somewhat less encouraging is this quote from her inaugural address:
"We'll engage in safe development, and we'll show the way for
the rest of the world-that we can be good stewards of God's green
Earth. We haven't always done that.?
And that's the extent of her on-the-record statements concerning
the Pebble Mine. Not giving a hoot about her need to divine the
political winds, we sent her a straight-up e-mail asking for "a succinct
statement of your current position on the Pebble Mine project.? As
of this writing, all we've received is this canned response:
"Thank you for writing to Governor Palin. The concerns, opinions,
and/or information you have sent are important and valuable
to the Governor. Although she is unable to respond to every email
herself, your message is being reviewed by the staff person who can
best address your need, suggestion, or comment.?
Because the Pebble Mine site is on state land, key decisions in the
permitting process will come from Alaska Department of Natural
Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin, a former mining executive
whose avowed mission is to promote development.
A bill introduced in the Alaska legislature last January would have
created a game refuge covering the Pebble site, and would have barred
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