Gold Mining or Salmon Fishing?

Alaskans will decide whether the state should permit a controversial gold mine to be built where it will destroy two streams that now support robust salmon runs.

The Pebble Mine would produce gold, copper and molybdenum.

Tuesday, Alaskans will vote on a ballot measure that would prohibit mining that affects the salmon fishery, according to the New York Times.

Major jewelers have already come out against the mine, which is not the only controversial gold mine in Alaska. Gold mining is among the most polluting endeavors on Earth. Gold mines are the nation's largest source of mercury pollution, for instance. (See the top 10 mercury polluters.) Like all mining, it destroys the landscape that holds the valuable minerals; in addition, separating and processing the gold creates tons of toxic metals, like lead and mercury.

Alaskans will decide whether they want that in their world-famous salmon fishery.

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