Northern Dynasty and others are telling you it is too soon to form an opinion on the proposed Pebble Mine project. Northern Dynasty officials bristle when people speak out against the mine stating that it is it too soon to form an opinion and blatantly unfair.
There are important issues that are being decided right now that will have long-term effects on Bristol Bay. The fish refuge proposal at the headwaters of Bristol Bay is still a current issue and your opinions are relevant and need to be voiced.
Silence now serves no benefit except to officials at Northern Dynasty. There are recent events that make my point.
The 2005 Bristol Bay Management Plan was recently published. There are people now who wish that the plan spoke out more strongly against the Pebble Mine project and are currently stating their opposition to the mine.
Northern Dynasty officials state that the plan went through two year review process. That opposition now is a little late. That opposing voices are wrong in stating their opinion. That the opposing groups are not following due process and that their comments are blatantly unfair.
There are many opportunities in a project this size to comment, to state your beliefs. The permitting of the mine will not start until at least 2008 Northern Dynasty officials’ state.
Within those two years your comments will fair, valid, and relevant.
How frustrating would it be to come to the end of those two years and you finally raise your voice. Northern Dynasty officials could again bristle, claiming that they gave you opportunity for comment, which time has passed. These people’s opinions are premature; they should follow due process, and their opposition at this time is blatantly unfair.
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