Rio Tinto ends its involvement in Pebble Mine project.

WASHINGTON – April 7, 2014. Alaska Daily News reported today that mining giant Rio Tinto is pulling out of the Pebble mine project in Alaska.

The Pebble mine project is a controversial plan to build an open pit mine in Alaska.

The plan is controversial because the mine is sited in the best wild salmon waters in the world.

Ginger Tornes, occasional Alaska correspondent for WCRX-LP, Bexley Public Radio Foundation, expressed satisfaction with the development. Tornes is an Alaska resident, spending the winter in Bexley with her family.  She also commented that the Alaska EPA was very slow in taking regulatory action regarding the mining project.

The ADN also reports that Rio Tinto will donate its ownership share in the project to a pair of Alaskan non-profits, the Alaska Community Foundation and the Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation.

ADN also reported that the mining company explained its action: "the Pebble Project does not fit with Rio Tinto's strategy."

Rio Tinto's decision might be a response to growing belief that the Alaska Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving closer to blocking the mine. ADN also reported EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy saying that the Pebble mine project would "likely have significant and irreversible negative impacts on the salmon of Bristol Bay." McCarthy said her agency would decide on action to protect the salmon under the Clean Water Act, which could lead to a veto of the project.

The British Anglo American mining enterprise pulled out of the Pebble project last year.
Rio Tinto offered further explanation for its action:  "By giving our shares to two respected Alaskan charities, we are ensuring that Alaskans will have a say in Pebble's future development," said Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques.

ADN reported that the charitable foundations that received the ownership interests will each receive half of Rio Tinto's 19 percent share in Northern Dynasty Minerals, the Canadian company whose principal asset is Pebble.

The Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation said "Rio Tinto's gift will benefit organizations that serve the people and communities of Alaska."

Executive Director Greta Goto said the shares would help the foundation to support educational opportunities for shareholders in the Bristol Bay Native Corp, which represents the interests of Alaska Natives from the area around the proposed mine.

The Bristol Bay Native Corp., though, has been among the fiercest opponents of the Pebble mine. It now suddenly has a stake in the project's success.

ADN reported that Bristol Native Corporation officials said in an interview that the education foundation is managed separately from the corporation as a whole and has its own distinct mission.

"This gift provides an example of what open discussion and relationship building between stakeholders with differing views can accomplish," said Bristol Bay Native Corp. President Jason Metrokin. "However, BBNC's opposition to the proposed Pebble mine has not changed."

The Alaska Community Foundation said its shares would go to create a new fund for supporting vocational education programs, with a focus on building worker skills for resource development industries.

Foundation CEO Candace Winkler said the foundation first heard from Rio Tinto about a week ago. She said she is excited about the possibilities, regardless of the controversy over the mine.

"We understand this is a complex issue and that people have strong feelings on both sides," she said. "We looked it as an opportunity to be involved in workforce development."

ADN did not report on the financial value of the shares donated to the nonprofits. Northern Dynasty's stock value has faltered with the continual problems experienced by the Pebble project. The stock fell another 5 percent on Monday at the news that Rio Tinto was pulling out of the project.

Some major investors in Rio Timto, including the pension funds of California and New York City. wrote to Rio Tinto explaining that it was risking its reputation with involvement in the Pebble mine. The chief financial officers of those pension funds explained their position in a December letter.

The Natural Resources Defense Council hailed Rio Tinto's move as a big step toward the end of the project.

"Rio Tinto's decision is the latest demonstration that the Pebble Mine is economically and environmentally infeasible, even for the largest mining companies in the world," said Joel Reynolds, the western director for the environmental group.

Gov. Sean Parnell, in a written statement, criticized the EPA.

"It's disheartening to see a company like Rio Tinto take its business elsewhere as a result of the current federal regulatory environment," Parnell said.

ADN reported that the Pebble mining project ranks among the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world and Northern Dynasty Minerals is vowing to push on despite all the problems.

Anglo American's departure from the project left Northern Dynasty without the necessary financial backing to construct the mine.

ADN also reported that Northern Dynasty is searching for a new partner.  Northern Dynasty said it will work with the two Alaska foundations that are now major shareholders in one of the most controversial development projects in the history of the Alaska.

Northern Dynasty President Ron Thiessen said his company had previously worked with the Alaska Community Foundation on the Pebble Fund, a grant program for organizations in the Bristol Bay region.

"We look forward to meeting with the leadership of the Alaska Community Foundation and Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation in the days ahead to better understand their long-term goals and aspirations, and how their ownership interest in Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project can make the greatest possible contribution to the people and communities they serve," Thiessen said in a written statement.

Email: scockerham@mcclatchydc.com; Twitter: @seancockerham.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2014/04/07/3413818/mining-giant-rio-tinto-pulling.html#emlnl=Breaking_News#storylink=cpy

Rio Tinto pulls out of Pebble mine project. Salmon waters safer now.

WASHINGTON, DC – April 7, 2014. Alaska Daily News reported today that mining giant Rio Tinto is pulling out of the Pebble mine project in Alaska.  

The Pebble mine project is a controversial plan to build an open pit mine. 

The plan is controversial because the mine is sited in the best wild salmon waters in the world.

Ginger Tornes, occasional Alaska correspondent for WCRX-LP, Bexley Public Radio Foundation, expressed satisfaction with the development. Tornes is an Alaska resident, spending the winter in Bexley with her family.  She also commented that the US EPA was very slow in taking regulatory action regarding the mining project.

The ADN also reports that Rio Tinto will donate its ownership share in the project to a pair of Alaskan non-profits, the Alaska Community Foundation and the Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation.

ADN also reported that the mining company explained its action: "the Pebble Project does not fit with Rio Tinto's strategy."

Rio Tinto's decision might be a response to growing belief that the

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving closer to blocking the mine. ADN also reported EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy saying that the Pebble mine project would "likely have significant and irreversible negative impacts on the salmon of Bristol Bay." McCarthy said her agency would decide on action to protect the salmon under the Clean Water Act, which could lead to a veto of the project.

The British Anglo American mining enterprise pulled out of the Pebble project last year.

Rio Tinto offered further explanation for its action:  "By giving our shares to two respected Alaskan charities, we are ensuring that Alaskans will have a say in Pebble's future development," said Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques.

The charitable foundations that received the ownership interests will each receive half of Rio Tinto's 19 percent share in Northern Dynasty Minerals, the Canadian company whose principal asset is Pebble.

The Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation said "Rio Tinto's gift will benefit organizations that serve the people and communities of Alaska."

Executive Director Greta Goto said the shares would help the foundation to support educational opportunities for shareholders in the Bristol Bay Native Corp, which represents the interests of Alaska Natives from the area around the proposed mine.

The Bristol Bay Native Corp., though, has been among the fiercest opponents of the Pebble mine. It now suddenly has a stake in the project's success.

Corporation officials said in an interview that the education foundation is managed separately from the corporation as a whole and has its own distinct mission.

"This gift provides an example of what open discussion and relationship building between stakeholders with differing views can accomplish," said Bristol Bay Native Corp. President Jason Metrokin. "However, BBNC's opposition to the proposed Pebble mine has not changed."

The Alaska Community Foundation said its shares would go to create a new fund for supporting vocational education programs, with a focus on building worker skills for resource development industries.

Foundation CEO Candace Winkler said the foundation first heard from Rio Tinto about a week ago. She said she is excited about the possibilities, regardless of the controversy over the mine.

"We understand this is a complex issue and that people have strong feelings on both sides," she said. "We looked it as an opportunity to be involved in workforce development."

It's not clear how much the shares will be worth. Northern Dynasty's stock value has faltered with the continual problems experienced by the Pebble project. The stock fell another 5 percent on Monday at the news that Rio Tinto was pulling out of the project.

Rio Tinto's decision came under pressure from major investors, including the pension funds of California and New York City. Rio Tinto was risking its reputation with involvement in the Pebble mine, the chief financial officers who oversee those pension funds told the company in a December letter.

The Natural Resources Defense Council hailed Rio Tinto's move as a big step toward the end of the project.

"Rio Tinto's decision is the latest demonstration that the Pebble Mine is economically and environmentally infeasible, even for the largest mining companies in the world," said Joel Reynolds, the western director for the environmental group.

Gov. Sean Parnell, in a written statement, criticized the EPA.

"It's disheartening to see a company like Rio Tinto take its business elsewhere as a result of the current federal regulatory environment," Parnell said.

Pebble ranks among the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world and Northern Dynasty Minerals is vowing to push on despite all the problems.

Last year's pullout of Anglo American was an especially big blow, leaving Northern Dynasty without the necessary financial backing to construct the mine.

Northern Dynasty is searching for a new partner, and said it will work with the two Alaska foundations that are now major shareholders in one of the most controversial development projects in the history of the state.

Northern Dynasty President Ron Thiessen said his company had previously worked with the Alaska Community Foundation on the Pebble Fund, a grant program for organizations in the Bristol Bay region.

"We look forward to meeting with the leadership of the Alaska Community Foundation and Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation in the days ahead to better understand their long-term goals and aspirations, and how their ownership interest in Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project can make the greatest possible contribution to the people and communities they serve," Thiessen said in a written statement.

Email: scockerham@mcclatchydc.com; Twitter: @seancockerham.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2014/04/07/3413818/mining-giant-rio-tinto-pulling.html#emlnl=Breaking_News#storylink=cpy

Autumn 2009 schedule, Bexley Public Radio

Broadcasting from 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Our antenna is designed for best reception in automobiles. In your car, you can get BPRF almost anywhere in the county and beyond.


PROGRAMMING

Our productions include:

Robyn Jones reporting on Bexley City Council and Bexley City Hall.

Joe Contino discusses sports and gaming on Mondays at noon. Joe's regular guests include reporter Brian Inglis and regular visitor to Las Vegas, Sol Leonetti.
Monday through Friday at 11:45 a.m.

Frank Ingwersen calls in a late morning Wall Street update from his office at Sweney Cartwright Company..

Amy Maurer is the "Noontime Gardener" whose program is broadcast from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Amy discusses the landscapes and gardens of Bexley and also discusses environmental and conservation topics.

Dr. Marian Lupo hosts a Friday public affairs program from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Topics are discussed such as electoral redistricting, electoral fraud, water purity, public finance and financial fraud. Dr. Lupo's program is called "You Have The Last Word."

Once each calendar quarter, Laura Franks prepares the Bexley Consumer Price Index. She calculates retail price changes on a uniform market-basket of consumer items purchased at retail in or near Bexley. Laura Franks also reports regularly on dividends paid to shareholders.

Aaron Putnam has a two hour jazz program on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The program is called Jazz Overdue. Aaron is a librarian.

Mel Greenball reads local news from local newspapers and provides useful information for Jewish residents of the area, including torah portions and candle-lighting times for the Sabbath.

On Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., David Streamer hosts a jazz program called the "Captain's Quarters."

"Sax" Johnson broadcasts weekdays from noon to 3:00 p.m. a program of classical jazz, urban contemporary, and Blues. Short essays are offered on topics of music education.

Nancy Segal discusses Phoetics and how family photographs can help individuals understand their emotions. She appears on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

Dan Mikletz is a regular culture correspondent to Bexley Public Radio from Eastern Pennsylvania.

Paul Peltier is a regular culture corespondent from New Hampshire

Candy Bennett is a student at Columbus State Community College and her Saturday morning program is called "Take Your Placecs." At 10:00 Candy interviews central Ohio residents who earn their living in the entertainment business and discusses tiips and strategies for people who want to earn moeny in the lively arts..

Two of the Tornes sisters, Joanna and Ginger, call in dispatches from their homes in Homer, Alaska.

David Ramsay is a culture correspondent from Golden Colorado.

VOLUNTEER

Bexley Public Radio has volunteer opportunities for scriptwriters, producers, program hosts and on-air personalities. Course credit is usually available for student interns. Administrative and marketing volunteers are also welcome.

235-2929

Culture dispatch from Homer, Alaska.

Joanna Tornes telephoned her regular culture dispatch from Homer, Alaska on the Wednesday WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM radio program. Her telephone call is subsidized by the staff and volunteers of the Homer, Alaska chamber of commerce.

Joanna’s first comment was that daytime temperatures in Homer are in mid-forty degrees Farenheit. She also commented that this has been a cool summer. Joanna reported that the signs of autumn were coming on. Ground dogwood with red berries is evident; fireweed is turning with its long purple flowers as part of the early autumn landscape.

Joanna commented that when the purple flowers reach the top of the firewood plant, it is a sign that summer has ended. She also commented that this year the fireweed flowers are a sign of the "lack of summer" because this summer was the coolest ever recorded.

Joanna and her sister Ginger are being visited by another sister, Angie, and her husband Mark. Both guests were part of the culture dispatch, Angie as an active speaker and Mark as a disembodied voice in the background.

Angie and Mark are residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin spending their summer vacation in Alaska.

Angie is a 1974 graduate of Bexley High School. Mark did not offer any educational or cultural credentials which might explain why he was left as a background sound.

Angie described their trip on the ferry boat from Bellingham, Washington to Juneau, Alaska. She said the trip is “incredible” and the boat is neat and clean with good meals. Sensational views of whales spouting and breeching make the travel unforgettable.

The ferry is called the Columbia. Angie and Mark were on the ferry for two nights with a cabin. The cabin was spartan but comfortable and warm. A forest service ranger gave daily lectures about the sights visible from the ferry.

Angie and Mark also traveled on another ship, the Taku, where they had a cabin for the trip to Sitka, Alaska and they also took a high speed ferry from Juneau to Homer.

For dinner on their guests’ first night in Homer, Ginger and Joanna took them to the Finns Pizza on the spit in downtown Homer. They arrived after eight o’clock and found Finn's Pizza to be closed that evening so they went to Fat Olives for dinner.

Joanna returned to the telephone and discussed some Russian cultural influences. She said that she has made a trip to a town called Ninilchik to see Russian Orthodox church architecture. She also said that there is a Russian tea room on a distant island that she has not visited.

The Homer orchestra had its music week.

Joanna attended a Buddhist retreat at the Alaska Culture Studies Center. This was a four day event that stretched over the weekend and she attended Friday through Sunday. The Center is located at Patterson Bay and is primarily concerned with marine and coastal environment matters.

Joanna’s Buddhist weekend was filled with sitting postures, meditation, dharma talk and vegetarian food. The instructors were Buddhists monks from Anchorage, Alaska. Their talks touched on life and awareness of the moment and the connectedness of all living things.

Meals for this Buddhist retreat were in silence and outdoor walks were silent experiences too.

During one outside session, clouds disappeared and sun shine appeared and invigorated the experience.

Joanna then discussed the karma experience of “dip-netting” on the Kenai River. This is a fishing technique that uses nets to catch fish. It has become such a popular sport that it has spawned “combat fishing" where people fight over prime dip-netting spots. Dip-netting is also popular on the Anchor River and the Russian River.

Joanna also reported on her shopping for fishing waders. She has been pricing french-built waders. For hip waders the typical retail price is in the range of $40.00 to $80.00. The retail price for chest waders begins at $90.00.

On a recent fishing venture, Joanna caught two fish. The fish were cleaned and filleted by a local native with an uhlu knife.