It's Time for EPA to Step In and Stop Pebble Mine.
Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Pebble Mine, at the headwaters of the Nushagak and Kvichak rivers in Bristol Bay, Alaska.
As you know, the Bristol Bay region constitutes the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery, last year returning over 56 million fish.
The final environmental review, pushed through on a rushed and politically-motivated timeline, resulted in questionable science and dubious results that were roundly criticized by independent scientists, federal agencies, and Bristol Bay community leaders. The initial 20-year mine plan would destroy over 2,300 acres of wetlands and more that 105 miles of salmon streams, far exceeding the standards that the Environmental Protection Agency set in 2014 for “unacceptable” impacts.
Guido Rahr, CEO of Wild Salmon Center said today: “The science is clear—this mine is indefensible. It cannot be safely built without harming the fishery in Bristol Bay. And a catastrophic tailings dam failure would release toxic waste that would affect the long-term productivity of salmon fisheries. It’s just too big a risk to take. And it’s time for the EPA to step in and stop this mine.”
This is the moment to speak up. Pebble could get its federal Clean Water Act permit in as little as 30 days and EPA has the authority to stop it. Can you speak up for the EPA veto?
