February 3, 2021 — With appeals flying in efforts to overturn the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ denial of the Pebble Mine permit in Alaska’s Bristol Bay, Bristol Bay’s Tribes and residents have released a call for permanent protections for the region.
On Jan. 8, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced the state’s intentions to appeal the decision. The Pebble Partnership followed with a Jan. 21 filing, requesting the Army Corps of Engineers to reverse its denial of the proposed mine’s Clean Water Act dredge and fill permit.
The appeals, say local leaders and fishery stakeholders, highlight the need for durable, long-term, lasting protections for the Bristol Bay region, as well as the need for an EPA veto of the proposed Pebble Mine itself.
“While science prevailed when the Army Corps rejected the proposed Pebble Mine’s Clean Water Act permit, this appeal shows that the Trump administration left the door open for the Pebble Partnership and Bristol Bay is far from safe,” said SalmonState Executive Director Tim Bristol. “The first step is for the Biden administration to reestablish the Clean Water Act Protections previously in place. The second step is for Congress to protect the waters of Bristol Bay in perpetuity, as called for in Bristol Bay Tribes’ and organizations’ Call to Protect Bristol Bay.”