Pebble Mine Alters Alaska Road Plan, Riling Environmentalists (2)

The plan for a large proposed gold and copper mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay has changed to include a two-lane, 82-mile access road along the northern shore of Lake Iliamna, alarming environmental opponents who say they weren’t informed of the change until late in the permitting process.

David Hobbie, chief of the regulatory division for the Army Corps of Engineers’ Alaska district, told reporters on Friday that all alternatives have already been evaluated and put out for public comment. Thus, the new plan, which also includes a natural gas pipeline, won’t go out for more public comment, Hobbie said.

The ...