Alaska is a kingdom full of huge wilderness areas that could be untouched or ruined by people. Alaska Natives have lived on these lands for hundreds of years, surviving by fishing the rivers or hunting these lands for generations. In these lands abundant natural resources are discovered along with one of the most prolific salmon fisheries and unfortunately it is also a land rich in oil, coal and mineral reserves. One environmental injustice for Alaskans living on those lands is the proposed Pebble Mine that would be built upriver. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Pebble Mine is considered one of the most important open pit mines internationally with a depth of 3 miles and lots of toes. The gold and copper that could be mined from this site is expected to be worth around $500 billion. Just downstream from the online pebble website in Bristol Bay, it is one of the most closed places on this planet to fish for millions of wild salmon. Through an escapement control method and limiting fishing to small boats, sustainable fishing has been achieved. The group behind the Pebble Mine, Northern Dynasty, says it knows how to operate a mine of this size properly. They launched a media marketing campaign to win over the native Bristol Bay agency by promoting the slogan “fish comes first” and offering the monetary growth and well-paid jobs that could follow the creation of the mine. This largely failed, as the Northern Dynasty did not think that native humans cared more about a sustainable lifestyle rather than short-term economic gain. The United Tribes of Bristol Bay sided with the EPA's assessment that the Pebble Mine poses a serious threat to Bristol Bay's salmon fishery. Northern Dynasty obviously disagrees with this assessment and has initiated proceedings against the EPA. This case against the EPA is expected to last for years and for now the Bristol Bay salmon fishery is safe. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Let us expect that the Pebble Mine is moving forward and producing copper and gold within the estimated costs. Could it really be worth the risk of even a small amount of toxic waste infecting fishing spawning grounds and continually destroying the way of life of Alaska Natives who have lived here for masses of generations? I don't think this is a question the Northern Dynasty even cares to think about thoughtlessly. I mean, they don't live here, and if they turn this neighborhood into rubble, they could keep coming back home.
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