Village corporations upset by opposition to mine

Published on December 21st, 2009

By ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF

Leaders from Iliamna Natives Ltd., Kijik Corp. and Paug-Vik Ltd. have added their voices to the growing number of Bristol Bay Native Corp.-associated village corporations and shareholders criticizing BBNC for its resolution against the proposed Pebble mine.

"Many of us just can't understand why the BBNC board, which has a mandate to support responsible economic development in the best interests of its shareholders, would take a position against a project that hasn't even been planned or applied for its permits," said Abe Williams, president of Paug-Vik Ltd, village corporation for the Bristol Bay communities of King Salmon and Naknek. His comments were made in a news release.

"I'd like to ask the BBNC directors what economic development initiatives they are proposing in Bristol Bay to replace the opportunities that Pebble and offshore oil and gas development present to Paug-Vik shareholders. I want to know how they can take a position that will materially affect our corporation and every single BBNC shareholder without consulting us about it first."

Paug-Vik, Iliamna Natives and Kijik have joined Alaska Peninsula Corp. and Pedro Bay Corp. in condemning the BBNC board's resolution to oppose Pebble. Collectively, the village corporations represent BBNC shareholders from all of the communities in closest proximity to the project - including Iliamna, Newhalen, Nondalton, Pedro Bay, Kokhanok, King Salmon, Naknek, South Naknek, Port Heiden and Ugashik.

Pedro Bay chairman John Allen Adcox said the BBNC vote was "an outrageous and dictatorial act." His company owns land that links the Pebble site to lower Cook Inlet, a possible corridor for transporting ore.

Bristol Bay chief executive Jason Metrokin told the Anchorage Daily News the vote was not against development in general.

"Ultimately, BBNC doesn't feel that the Pebble mine project is a must-have project for the region to diversify its economy," he said.

Iliamna Natives Ltd. president Lorene Anelon suggested that other Bristol Bay village corporations, tribes and regional institutions may come out against the BBNC position as well.

"As elected leaders who believe that responsible development of our natural resources is necessary to support our people, our communities and our culture, it is absolutely unacceptable to us that the BBNC would seek to stop the Pebble mine project before it even has an opportunity to go through the state and federal permitting process," Anelon said. "Not only is BBNC seeking to foreclose opportunities for our corporation's and shareholders' future. Their action puts at risk the business operations we have built up by working with Pebble today, as well as all the employees and families that rely on us for jobs and income."

All of the Alaska Native village corporation leaders said there are few year-round jobs or economic opportunities available in Bristol Bay, particularly for communities distant from the coast. Given the lack of jobs and the high price of fuel and other necessities of life, many Bristol Bay communities are increasingly seeing residents leave for Anchorage or other centers where they can support their families.

"Pebble represents our best opportunity to build a sustainable economy for the lakes villages," said Kijik chairwoman Betty Chilcott. "It can provide jobs and training opportunities for our kids, contract opportunities for our businesses, and investment in our communities and our way of life. It is absolutely not right for the BBNC to take this opportunity away from us while offering no alternative to the significant economic and social challenges facing our village."