Pebble CEO Dismisses Sportsmen

If you thought that the Pebble Partnership was in anyway concerned about the interests of the sport fishing economy in Bristol Bay, Pebble Partnership CEO John Shively would like to set you straight.

ISER Researcher Criticizes Pebble Data, Shively Shrugs Off Concerns of Hunters and Sport Fishermen

Week 2 of the Keystone Center’s process on Pebble Mine wrapped up this afternoon in Anchorage, capped by an incisive appraisal from a researcher at the well-respected UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research.  Steve Colt, a Professor of Economics with ISER, had this to say in a comment summarizing his feedback on Pebble environmental baseline document:
 
"It is fair to say that this chapter (of Pebble’s EBD), as written, diminished the importance and role of the sport fishing economy in the regional economy in a way that is not supported by the data.  You need to recognize that this is an industry that is tied to the world market."

In response to a question about the noneconomic, yet very important experientail, dimensions of fishing in Bristol Bay, Pebble Limited Partnership CEO John Shively, brusquely shrugged off the concerns of hunters and fishermen, essentially telling them their money, jobs, and way of life don’t matter.

“You cannot assume that all the people who go out there are individual people willing to spend $6,000-$8,000,” said Shively. “There is a huge amount of corporate money that is spent that are largely tax write offs that supports that recreational lodge industry out there and so if we are going to do that kind of thing and make that information meaningful we have to understand all the different users.”

LINK (via: Headwaters)

Shively's response was also captured on audio.

Keystone: Bad Beer, Bought and Paid For Science

Sam Snyder has the latest in the ongoing Keystone saga.

I know it raised a lot of hackles with the Boulder Fly Casters thought to host the Keystone Center. They caught some flack, and frankly for good reason. In this debate there is no compromise. And, no matter the potential good intentions of Keystone, they are being played as pawns in this debate.

Recent instances and admissions make it clear that Keystone is a willing particpant in said shenanigans by the Pebble Parthership to confuse the public and try to greenwash their terrible project. In case you missed it, Keystone kicked Dr. Dan Schindler, one of the leading experts on Bristol Bay salmon, off of their supposed 'independant' science panels.

Sam wiil be attending all the Keystone science panels and calling bullshit when he sees it. If you care to be a part of the festivities 360 North will be live streaming all the proceedings.

A Toast to All Those Fishing Dogs!

Sam Snyder salutes fish dogs everywhere with this fitting tribute to his beloved fishing dog Baylee.

LINK (via: Headwaters)

Interviews with Anglers Past

Sam Snyder brilliantly turns the current fly blog interview craze on its ear with an interview of Dame Julia, the first in his Headwaters series of Interviews with Anglers Past.

LINK

Either speak up or get off the water

Sam Snyder takes no prisoners in this brilliant post on the connection between fly fishing and conservation.

The future of our fisheries depend upon diverse communities, diverse fisheries, and diverse thinking. If you cherish your habit, religion, sport, or whatever you want to call it, I am inclinded to say that you have no business in this sport if you don't take conservation seriously.

LINK (Via: Headwaters)

Update on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:16PM by El Guapo

A follow up on the rant.

I'm changing my name to Osama Ban Pebble

Our friend Dr. Sam Snyder recently had a day in court as a spectator to the lawsuit trial against the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The lawsuit alleges a number of things but most importantly is that the exploration permits for the Pebble Mine were issued unconstitutionally.

As a result the Alaska DNR and the Pebble Partnership have cozied up together to fight the suit.

Sam has all the gory details in Headwaters.

You may recall that Pebble Partnership CEO John Shively said that those who filed the suit were engaging in legal terrorism. I guess that makes all of us on the Protect Bristol Bay Campaign part of a vast terrorist network.

Shivley has now tried to walk back from the remarks. .

Shively said he did not mean to indicate that any individual was a terrorist. He said his words were directed at Trustees for Alaska, the law firm representing Nunamta Aulukestai.

"I did not call any individual a legal terrorist for opposing Pebble. They have misinterpreted what I said," Shively said.

LINK (Via: ABC News)

Here is the speech in which Shively made the remark, what a douche.

Meanwhile those terrrorists on two wheels, Parker and Seth Berling, are getting close to completing their 17,000 mile ride from Prudhoe Bay to Tierra Del Fuego. Their goal for this grand ride is to raise awareness and resources to protect the Bristol Bay watershed from the Pebble Mine.

Read their latest disptch.

It hasn't been all on bike time for Parker and Seth.