Native American Rights Fund
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Bristol Bay Tribes Sue Trump Administration for Illegal Removal of
Environmental Protections

On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, NARF's client the United Tribes of
Bristol Bay and other Bristol Bay organizations brought suit against
the Trump Administration for its removal of environmental protections
for Bristol Bay. In July, Trump's Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) announced that it would be removing the 2014 protections
which were put in place at the direct request of local tribes. The
agency made this about-face without providing reason or explanation.
In contrast, the protections being removed were the result of years
of scientific research, collaboration, and consideration for the
local people who rely on the area's world-class salmon fishery.

In 2010, six Bristol Bay tribal nations requested protections for
the area's water ways and unparalleled salmon runs, which are an
integral part of the indigenous peoples' traditional lifeways.
The area's commercial and sport fisheries also rely on those
waters and wild salmon, so it was not surprising that local
organizations quickly joined the tribes' efforts. The
protections represented responsible, science-based management of the
rivers, streams, and wetlands. Even with this strong local support, it
was a multi-year process to gain protections that included input from
a wide range of people and businesses that could be affected.

However, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy continued to support the
mining interests of Canadian owned, Pebble Ltd. Partnership who want
to dig an immense pit mine in the middle of the pristine Bristol Bay
wetlands. In June, Dunleavy briefly met with President Trump on Air
Force One; subsequently, he told reporters that he was convinced that
the president was "doing everything he can to work with us on
our mining concerns." One day after the meeting, according to
CNN, the Environmental Protection Agency held an internal meeting and
informed staff that they were reversing course and removing
protections for the Bristol Bay.

Despite widespread local support for protecting the bay's
vulnerable water ways and the extensive scientific research backing
the protections-and with no further explanation-the
agency decided to remove the protections for the bay. The decision
was political, arbitrary, capricious, and absolutely illegal. The
Bristol Bay Defense Alliance, consisting of United Tribes of Bristol
Bay, Bristol Bay Native Association, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood
Development Association, Bristol Bay Reserve Association and Bristol
Bay Economic Development Corporation, are taking legal action on
behalf of the local people who rely on the Bristol Bay fishery and
all it sustains. The suit is based on the fact that the agency
changed its position without good reason or explanation, which are
required by law.

United Tribes of Bristol Bay Deputy Director Lindsay Layland
describes the group's frustration, "Salmon are more than
just food for the people of Bristol Bay. Catching, preserving, and
eating salmon are part of a genuine and treasured way of life. As
sovereign Native nations, our member Tribes have worked in good faith
with the US government to protect our resources. Despite our efforts,
however, a corrupt political landscape and a few backroom deals have
resulted in the illegal withdrawal of peer-reviewed, science-based
environmental protections for the world's most pristine
ecosystem and wild salmon habitat. We are calling out the Federal
Administration for this wrongdoing, and we will stand with our
partners and the people of Bristol Bay in the work to protect our
home." NARF is proud to stand with the tribal nations as they
fight to protect their home and traditions.

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Native American Rights Fund
[email protected]
Anchorage 907-276-0680
Boulder 303-447-8760
Washington 202-785-4166

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