MineWatch.org

The Cromer Group, a polling research firm long experienced in Alaskan politics, recently conducted some opinion surveys concerning the upcoming Clean Water Ballot Initiative, which would derail the Pebble Mine scheme in Bristol Bay Alaska. Their findings (which were gathered from August 4-5 within a pool of 600 likely Alaskan voters) were interesting.

Here are some key points:

The vast majority of Alaskans are in favor of the initiative by a margin of 60%-28%, showing they support clean water standards and the protection of wild salmon. Regarding the initiative’s favorability The Cromer Group found that …

Furthermore, Alaskans believe that the Pebble Mine poses a serious threat to wild salmon. The Cromer Group’s research shows that fully 50% of those surveyed have an unfavorable opinion of the mine and 64% feel the mine threatens wild salmon in the area. Finally, The Cromer Group found that Alaskans aren’t buying the mining industry’s claim that rejecting the Pebble Mine hurts Alaskan miners. Indeed, 49% of respondents said they felt that initiative will not put a single miner out of work, but will instead protect fishing jobs.