Alaskans go to the polls Tuesday to vote for candidates for state offices including the governor, but they will also have their say on a controversial ballot proposition that mining companies say could shutter the industry in the state.
Ballot Measure 1 on the general election ballot is an initiative that would create a permitting system for any project, particularly mines, built near or that would affect streams or water bodies that could hold fish. That pretty well covers the entire state, which has several million small lakes and thousands of miles of streams and rivers.
Several Alaska fishing and tribal groups, backed with funds from environmental organizations and technology billionaires from outside Alaska, organized a citizen initiative drive in 2017 gathering signatures to put a "Stand for Salmon" proposition on the 2018 ballot.
Concerns over the proposed development of Pebble, a copper-gold-molybdenum deposit southwest of Anchorage, were a major motivation for the initiative. Pebble is in an area where an uncontrolled discharge of mining waste, if it happens, could affect important habitat for salmon.
However, because a state law created if the proposition is approved would apply statewide, it would affect every Alaskan mine including those already operating, as well as oil and natural gas development and any major construction.
The outcome of the governor's race will also affect Pebble, owned by Vancouver-based Northern Dynasty Minerals. Pebble would be a large surface mine and a major copper and gold producer.
The Democratic candidate, former US Senator Mark Begich, opposes Pebble while the Republican contender, former state senator Mike Dunleavy, says he is keeping his mind open to the proposal.
