[IYAS9YAS]

I've enjoyed watching several of the Alaska themed shows (Alaska, the Last Frontier, Buying Alaska, Railroad Alaska, and a few others), and I've seen a few people, who are very conservative from a values point of view (if not politically), who have worn hats that are anti-Pebble Mine, or seen signs in the background on a few different shows.

So the question is, why are they, when the economy could be helped with it? Is it a fear of outsiders? A fear of losing what solitude they have, or a concern that the company may not hire locals, but bring in outsiders?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The risk is the salmon fishery.
This mine will create a series of impoundments of acidic water in an earthquake zone that must last indefinitely.

[oldfart]

Back at the beginning of the pipeline project most of the construction companies brought workers up from the southern states to work at very low rates of pay. The State of Alaska stepped in and mandated that all workers had to be paid at the prevailing rate. Since it was no longer economical to import labor (and pay for transportation) local workers were finally able to compete for the high-paying jobs.
Those laws are still in effect.