The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received more than 700,000 comments in support of using the Clean Water Act to restrict mine waste disposal from the Pebble Mine proposed in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed.
When combined with previous public input, over 1.5 million comments have been submitted in favour of protecting Bristol Bay, including support from Alaska native tribes, commercial fishermen, hunters and anglers, businesses like CREDO Mobile, churches, conservation groups, restaurants, jewellers, and investors.
The Pebble Mine project, which is a gold-and-copper prospect, has been at the centre of controversy over its environmental impact. The Bristol Bay watershed is home to the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery.
“Our economy and culture are on the line,” said Luki Akelkok, chair of Nunamta Aulukestai, an association of 10 Bristol Bay native tribes and corporations and a sport-fishing lodge owner. “We want the EPA to finalize these restrictions as quickly as possible to protect our salmon and our livelihoods.”
In 2010, Alaska native tribes and commercial fishermen petitioned the EPA to use its authority under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act to restrict mine waste disposal from the proposed Pebble Mine to protect the salmon fishery. The EPA’s plan, which was released for public comment in July 2014, found that even the smallest Pebble Mine scenario would have significant, unacceptable impact on salmon.
The Bristol Bay salmon fishery generates $480 million in annual revenue, and supplies almost half the world’s wild sockeye salmon.
“With over 1.5 million comments in favour of Bristol Bay protection, there can be no doubt the public supports this,” said Jennifer Krill, executive director of Earthworks.
“All eyes are on the Obama administration now to make the final call that protects the world’s most valuable wild salmon fishery, and the 14,000 jobs that rely on it.”
