Liberty Star Uranium and Metals Corp (LBSR)

[blue finch]

how plain vanilla can you get
i guess he has to answer complaints this way


Dear Mr. @@@@@@,



Thank you for you comments and concerns regarding the Pebble Mine Project. This is an important issue, and I appreciate you taking the time to contact me.



As you know, the Pebble Mine Project is an initiative of the Pebble Partnership, which is made up of Northern Dynasty Inc. and Anglo American U.S., LLC, to develop and operate an open-pit gold, cooper, molybdenum, and silver mine in the Bristol Bay Region of Southwest Alaska. These metals are common throughout the Bristol Bay region due to the area's volcanic history. While experts have known about these deposits for decades, the remote location and low grade of the metals prevented companies such as Northern Dynasty from developing them. However, in the past few years metal prices have more than doubled, triggering the Pebble Partnership's interest in the Pebble Mine prospect, which they believe contains an estimated $150 to $200 billion worth of minerals.



I firmly believe that the Pebble Partnership will need to use sound, science-based analysis and recommendations. They also need to follow the process outlined by law. Decisions based on reason and sound science should win over emotion and environmental extremism every time. Finally, if the process is allowed to work and the science indicates it can proceed with minimal impact on the environment, it is important that the Pebble Partnership listens to what the neighboring communities have to say about the project and how best to implement it.



Under the Clean Water Act (CWA), it is unlawful to discharge any pollutant into waters of the United States without a permit issued in accordance with that act. Section 404 of the CWA provides for a permitting process to address the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters of the United States.



The 404 program considers effects on the aquatic ecosystem and other national and resource interests. The Army Corps of Engineers and EPA have complementary roles under Section 404. The Corps has permitting authority, while EPA provides environmental guidance on 404 permitting, and also may veto a 404 Permit issued by the Corps.



To be developed, the developer of the Pebble Mine will need to secure upwards of 60-70 permits. Most all of these permits will be State issued permits because the mine is located on State lands. In fact, the ore deposits, known as Pebble Mine, are located on State lands specifically designated for mining exploration. However, of the few federal permits necessary, one is a Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit issued by the Army Corps of Engineers.\



Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) announced that it is conducting a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed to better understand how future development projects may affect water quality and Bristol Bay's salmon fishery. I believe this action is unprecedented and certainly premature because the Pebble Partnership has not yet even filed for their initial development plan.



Upon filing a development plan, the Pebble Partnership will begin pursuing these permits. However, it is far too early to be concerned with the 404 process regarding the Pebble Mine because the developers have not even filed for the permit. Currently, there is nothing to oppose other than the idea of mining at all, which is akin to opposing the construction of a road without even knowing the route.



Reason and sound science should prevail over emotional and environmental hysteria every time, and numerous responsible projects that have been needlessly hindered by the EPA's veto power are motivated by the latter.



The process of permitting the mine and studying its environmental impacts is in its infancy. In the end, regarding Pebble's development, I will support the science. Right now, this is a state issue and that is where the debate should remain. However, I would encourage everyone involved to follow the process laid out by the state to determine if the project can proceed without harming the environment and surrounding ecosystems. If the science indicates that that is not possible, the mine will not be developed.



Once again, thank you for expressing your views on this issue. I would encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter at http://www.house.gov/formdonyoung/subscription.htm if you have not already done so. This will allow me to provide you with updates on this and other important issues. If I can be of any assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.











Sincerely,

DON YOUNG


Congressman for All Alaska