This paper was created in order to better understand the possible interactions that could occur if a mine was build in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Currently, there is a major conflict of interest that is occurring in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Over the past 30 years the largest mining project in the United States, called Pebble Mine has been in the process of being considered for approval; the size of the entire mine site is approximately the same size as New Zealand. The purpose of this mine is to harvest billions of tons of low-grade copper, gold, and molybdenum ore.

The proposed location is on-top of important tributaries that are world renown for salmon fishing and home to the largest sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) spawning runs in the world. This makes it a key economic source for many of the surrounding communities that rely on salmon fishing for income. In addition to the source of income for the nearby residents, the ecosystem entirely relies on salmon as a food source. These ecosystems also attract other types of tourism such as hiking, hunting, and photography. Many of the local stakeholders are afraid that their way of life is at risk as well as the natural world around them. This paper will provide an in-depth look of Pebble Mine and the benefit it may bring to the local region in Bristol Bay and the United States as a whole. It will also cover the impacts that the mine could have on Bristol Bay and the salmon population. Finally, through the comparison of costs to benefit, I will make a determination if the mine should be built.