Alaska mine project fought by wealthy conservative pits major industries against each other

Alaskans are set to vote for the third time on a mining project that pits two major industries — extractive mining and salmon fishing — against each other.

This summer, the Environmental Protect Agency dealt the Pebble Mine project a blow by limiting mining in the salmon-rich area downstream of the mine.

Yet some of the mine's staunchest opponents are no fans of the federal government — and that includes Bob Gillam, the wealthy conservative who put the cause on the map.

Gillam owns a vacation home in the remote area that could be affected by the mine. He's helped bankroll three ballot measures against it.

The latest would require the Legislature's approval of the project. The mining company says opponents have been alarmist about a job-creating project.