Dear John,
We wanted to share some good news:
Today, the U.S. Army Corps denied Pebble Partnership a key permit for its mine, proposed at the headwaters of two of Bristol Bay's most important salmon rivers.
That follows a huge outcry this summer against the mine from people across the political spectrum, the release of the Pebble Tapes, and a demand from the Army Corps that Pebble mitigate for damage planned to more than 100 miles of salmon streams and 3,000 acres of wetlands under its proposal.
The Army Corps said today that the mitigation plan, submitted last week, did not meet Clean Water Act standards and was not "in the public interest."
Guido Rahr, CEO of the Wild Salmon Center, said: "Today, we thank the Army Corps for doing the right thing. The agency recognized what Bristol Bay Tribes, fishermen, independent scientists and the EPA have long established: Pebble Mine is too destructive for the long-term health of the Bristol Bay ecosystem. Today's decision gives the people of Bristol Bay temporary relief from this mine. It's now time for EPA to use the Clean Water Act to kill this mine once and for all."
We take this moment to thank our Alaska staff, our Alaska partners including the United Tribes of Bristol Bay, outspoken sportsmen including Nick Ayers and Johnny Morris, and all of our supporters for helping us reach this critical milestone!
