North of 60 Mining News - The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North

A new group of Alaskans from across the state have joined forces to fight two proposed ballot initiatives that threaten the mining industry and its $10 billion-plus impact on Alaska's economy.

Citing concerns about the negative effects the measures could have on Alaska, "Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown" said in a statement Jan. 25 that it will direct a statewide campaign to defeat the two ballot initiatives which would have the effect of shutting down existing mines and prohibiting future mines in Alaska, the coalition said.

The group informed the Alaska Public Offices Commission of its intention to register as a ballot measure group should the proposals be certified for the ballot by Alaska Lt. Governor Sean Parnell.

Supporters of the initiatives have said the changes are needed to ensure protection of the state's waterways and salmon runs in the Bristol Bay region.

Opponents say existing state and federal regulations and permitting requirements are enough to protect the environment, and argue the initiatives could negatively affect existing and new mines across the state.

"The end result of the ballot initiatives would be a shutdown in jobs, a shutdown of a rapidly growing sector of Alaska's economy and, for many communities, a shutdown of hope. These initiatives would have a devastating effect on Alaska's mining families, and be a serious economic blow to rural communities and the economy statewide," said Marie Greene of Kotzebue, a founding member of the group and president of Alaska Native regional corporation NANA Inc.

Initiatives bad public policy, group says

Anchorage public affairs executive Willis Lyford said a mining shutdown would rob Alaska communities and the Alaska Native population of a significant source of jobs and revenue.

"The initiatives also are bad policy as they would arbitrarily override the state and federal environmental and scientific review process," added Lyford, who along with Timothy Sullivan, Jr. of Anchorage will manage the group's campaign.

Founding members of the group include Kristin Cole of Wasilla, Bill Corbus of Juneau, Hugh Fate of Fairbanks, Robert Favretto of Kenai, Cheryl Frasca, Ernie Hall, Mark Langland, Matthew Nicolai, Vicki Otte and Mark Pfeffer of Anchorage, Ramona Reeves of Fairbanks, John Sandor of Juneau, Helvi Sandvik, William Sheffield, and John Shively of Anchorage, Rick Solie of Fairbanks, Arliss Sturgulewski and 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.

Among groups already publicly opposing the anti-mining ballot measures are the Alaska Federation of Natives, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the ANCSA Regional Corporation President's Association, representing the leaders of many Alaska Native corporations.