Environment

State officials hosted a public meeting on a controversial salmon habitat ballot initiative in Bethel on Tuesday. The salmon habitat ballot initiative would toughen the permitting process for proposed projects built on salmon habitat, and could hinder the development of the proposed Donlin mine. The Donlin mine could be one of the biggest gold mines in the world if built, and would be located in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. 

Alaska officials are hosting a public hearing at the Bethel Cultural Center on September 25 about a controversial salmon habitat initiative. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott will attend.

Residents of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta can testify about the salmon habitat ballot initiative from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The state will use a translator for those who wish to testify or listen in Yup’ik.

The environmental group Earthjustice is requesting an informal review of a key water quality permit that the Department of Environmental Conservation granted to the Donlin Gold mine. Donlin could build one of the biggest gold mines in the world and is moving through the permitting process.

Alaska state officials will hold a public hearing about a controversial ballot initiative that would toughen salmon habitat protections on September 25 in Bethel.

The deadline to comment on draft reclamation plans and financial assurances for the proposed Donlin gold mine is today at 5 p.m. State officials say that the comments should target the contents of the permits, and not just be a general statement of opposition against the mine. 

Donlin Gold would need to destroy two creeks in order to build its proposed gold mine. Now, it has the permits to do so.