State's handling of Pebble Mine violation protested

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVA-CBS 11 News) In the days following the developer of Pebble Mine's admission, and $45,000 fine, for withdrawing water from 45 exploration areas it did not have permits for, a group calling itself concerned Alaskans rallied outside of the state Department of Natural Resources on Thursday, Feb. 18.

The group of anti-Pebble Mine subsistence families, commercial and spot fishermen, and others who say they depend on the Bristol Bay resources claim DNR did not do their job over the last three years, and are demanding oversight changes. They say the state agency failed to notice and enforce regulations.

Bristol Bay Fisherman Verner Wilson III says, "This is just beginning stages of exploration. And so as far as we're concerned, we're subsistence users, commercial fisherman, sports fisherman, and as concerned Alaskans across the state we're uniting to protect our great renewable fisheries of Bristol Bay."

In response, DNR Mining Coordinator Tom Crafford reiterated an earlier statement:

"When ADNR (Dept. of Nat. Resources) and ADF&G (Fish and Game) learned of the 45 unpermitted water withdrawals reported by the Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP), they suspended the PLP's exploration permits, including the Temporary Water Use Permits and Fish Habitat Permits, and undertook enforcement actions under the applicable authorities. PLP was assessed a $45,000 penalty, which PLP has paid. PLP must also submit a plan detailing how unpermitted withdrawals will be prevented in the future, subject to approval by ADNR and ADF&G, before their permits can be reinstated. The unpermitted water withdrawals relate to the water sources used for 45 of the approximately 385 holes drilled by PLP during the time period 2007 - 2009, and not to the drill hole locations themselves. Neither ADNR nor ADF&G are aware of any environmental harm resulting from the unpermitted water withdrawals, but state agencies will inspect each of the sites once snow conditions allow them to do so."

Crafford says while Pebble's developers violated water regulations, DNR does not have specific water withdrawal inspection requirements. DNR's focus, according to Crafford, is looking at Pebble's overall environmental conduct.

The rally comes on the same day Trout Unlimited nominated the Koktuli River, near the proposed Pebble Mine site, to be a protected area.