EPA Warns Pebble Mine Could Affect Sustainability of Bristol Bay Fishery
~Image by Alaskan artist Ray Troll On Friday, the EPA released the results of their long-awaited draft environmental impact statement on potential large scale mining operations in the Bristol Bay watershed. Their conclusion was not a surprise to anyone who has gone beyond a superficial look at the controversial issue of mining in this sensitive and highly seismic region. The notion of a 700 foot tall earthen dam that would need to remain intact forever, while sitting atop one of the most seismically active regions in the world is one of those things you don’t need to be a scientist…
Open Thread – Brenda!
It’s been a long, snowy, mooseless winter. Our hooved friends all headed for lower elevations where navigation was easier and roads were more plentiful. But all that’s over now, and we’re starting to see the reappearance of moose up here at Mudflats Central. I stood out on the porch taking pictures of a beautiful girl in the driveway, and she seemed just as interested in me as I was in her. It was sunset, and she walked right up to the door, bathed in a beautiful orange glow. Look at those ears! Right after I snapped this shot I decided…
Open Thread – The Visitor…
Linda Kellen Biegel, who usually puts up a Sunday gardening post has been a little busy lately, to say the least. Between being an official watcher at the hand count of selected precincts from the Anchorage Municipal election, to being a delegate to the Alaska Democratic convention in Fairbanks, sh’e s been a little stretched for time. In lieu of Linda giving you something to smile about in the plant department, I shall endeavor to give you something to smile about in the animal department. I have more pictures, which I will post later, but here’s a sneak peek of…
Incoming Party Chair – Republican Candidates “Will Have Access to Me, But Will Have a Test…”
Imagine being on the other end of the line, listening to a teleconference with former US Republican Senate nominee Joe Miller and incoming Republican Party Chair Russ Millette. I bet you’d hear some interesting stuff. Remember that the GOP convention experienced a “coup,” as long-time Chair Randy Ruedrich decided this year to step down. Ron Paul supporters flooded the convention and voted in a new slate of party leaders. It’s now a mix of Joe Miller, and Ron Paul supporters who see eye to eye on many issues, but maybe not all. Time will tell. In any case, no one…
A Moment of Zen
All of us here at The Mudflats have our own ways of blowing off steam, and trying to keep the blood pressure closer to the double digits. While Linda Kellen Biegel finds her Zen place at Lowe’s, and digging in the dirt, and Shannyn finds hers on the end of a fishing pole, I find mine wandering around in the woods with a camera and a dog. So, that’s what I did to take a little interlude from the election madness. I figured you might also need a little mental sorbet, so I decided to take you along with me….
Open Thread – Pooped Pup.
After the Assembly meeting tonight, I went over to the KOAN studios for Thursdays in the Mud. I got there early, and Shannyn and I talked about the meeting. Linda called in too. Basically, it was 2 hours and ten minutes of venting. During the breaks, we found ourselves looking at pictures of adorable puppies to keep from throwing things, or strangling ourselves with the microphone cord. Here’s one of my favorites. Even Chris-in-the-Box, who said he’s normally not that into puppies (WHAT?) saw one that made him go, “Awwwwwww.” You can see that one by liking The Mudflats Facebook…
Open Thread – Department of Corrections
OOPS. A message from the Mudflats’ Department of Corrections… Anchorage Assembly Chair Ernie Hall has appointed Tim Petumenos to review the report submitted by the Anchorage Election Commission, and the legal opinion from Dennis Wheeler, the Municipal Attorney, not to conduct the independent investigation into the election itself. He will be making a recommendation about certifying the election. He will be presenting a report at the special meeting of the Assembly called for May 3, 2012 at 5:00pm. More information to come, and apologies for any confusion.
Open Thread — United Against the War on Women
We had our final meeting tonight before the March on Saturday…it’s now up to the Fates on how it goes. We have fabulous speakers and performers – Shannyn Moore, Libby Roderick, Dr. Colleen Murphy, Diane Benson, Eric Croft, to name a few! The March begins 12:00 noon at the Delaney Park Strip (the flagpole) and ends at the rally in Town Square Park. I hope that we see all of you there. (P.S. I thought the photo ironic in light of this evening’s disturbing Election Commission Report.)