EPA's Final Study Released: Pebble Mine Could Devastate Bristol Bay Salmon
In January 2014, the EPA released its final watershed assessment on the potential impacts of large scale mining on Alaska's Bristol Bay salmon fishery.
The science is complete, and it's definitive. There's simply no way to avoid severe impacts. Even under routine operation,
> 94 miles of salmon streams would be destroyed by the mine footprint (maximum size studied)
> 33 miles of streams would be harmed by altered flows, and
> polluted water from the mine site would enter streams
Not surprisingly, Northern Dynasty, the company behind the proposed mine has questioned the science. Yet, the study has undergone a rigorous review process with two full rounds of peer review by a panel of twelve independent scientists. The EPA will rely heavily on the Final Bristol Bay watershed assessment in its 404(c) assessment.
To read the study, please go to the EPA website.
Public comment on the watershed assessment demonstrates overwhelming support for EPA action. Click here to see the results.
TAKE ACTION to urge the EPA to take the next step to protect Bristol Bay!
Who has asked the EPA to initiate the 404c process?
Bristol Bay Native Tribes, Native Corporations and Commercial fishermen have petitioned the EPA to initiate the 404c process.
- Bristol Bay Tribes
- Nondalton Tribal Council
- Koliganik Village Council
- New Stuyahok Traditional Council
- Ekwok Village Council
- Curyung Tribal Council
- Levelock Village Council
- Bristol Bay Native Corporation (created by Congress to represent the economic and cultural interests of Alaska Native people in Bristol Bay region; the largest land-owner in the Bristol Bay region representing almost 8,700 native shareholders)
- Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association - representing nearly 2,000 Bristol Bay fishermen
Others who support the EPA 404c process and/or oppose the Pebble Mine specifically include:
Seafood Processors
- Pacific Seafood Processors Association - representing Alaska's coastal seafood processing companies, including:
- Alaska General Seafoods
- Alyeska Seafoods, Inc.
- Golden Alaska Seafoods, LLC
- North Pacific Seafoods, Inc.
- Peter Pan Seafoods, Inc.
- Phoenix Processor Limited Partnership
- Trident Seafoods Corporation
- UniSea Inc.
- Westward Seafoods, Inc.
-
Commercial Fisherman
- United Fishermen of Alaska - representing the entire Alaska seafood industry.
- Alaska Independent Fishermen's Marketing Association (AIFMA)
- Naknek Family Fisheries
- Leader Creek Fishery
- Commercial Fishermen of America
- United Catcher Boats
- Red's Crest
- Copper River Boats & Permits
- Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations
- Alaska Net & Supply
- Greater Nushagack Setnetters Association
- United Cook Inlet Drift Association
-
Seafood Industry and Supermarkets
- Ahold USA representing 770 supermarkets
- Wegmans
-
Alaska Sportfishing & Hunting Lodge businesses
3 Rivers Fly& Tackle
Wasilla, AKBlue Fly B&B and Guide Service
King Salmon, AKAlagnak Lodge
King Salmon, AKBlueberry Island Lodge
Igiugig, AKAlaska Alpine Adventures
Anchorage, AKBranch River Air Service
King Salmon, AKAlaska Bear Guides
Petersburg, AKBristol Bay Adventures
Dillingham, AKAlaska Fly Anglers, Inc.
Soldotna, AKBristol Bay Lodge
Dillingham, AKAlaska Fly Fish
Anchorage, AKFishing Bear Lodge
Dillingham, AKAlaska Fly Fishing Goods
Juneau, AKCopper River Lodge
Iliamna, AKAlaska Glacier Guides, Inc.
Gustavus, AKCrystal Creek Lodge
King Salmon, AKAlaska Wilderness Trips, Inc.
Soldotna, AKMission Creek Lodge
Aleknagik, AKAlaska’s Boardwalk Lodge
Thorne Bay, AKIgiugig Lodge
Igiugig, AKAlaska West
Quinhagak, AKKvichak Anglers
Igiugig, AKAlaska’s Wild River Lodge
Port Alsworth, AKRapids Camp Lodge
King Salmon, AKAlaska King Salmon Adventures
Dillingham, AKRainbow Bend Lodges
King Salmon, AKAlaska Rainbow Lodge
King Salmon, AKReel Wilderness Adventures, Inc.
Dillingham, AKAlaska Salmon Camp
Dillingham, AKRiver King Outfitters
Nushagak River, AKAlaska Sportsman’s Bear Trail Lodge
King Salmon, AKRoyal Coachman Lodge
Dillingham, AKAlaska Trophy Fishing Safari
Homer, AKThe Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge
Igiugig, AKBaranof Wilderness Lodge
Sitka, AKTogiak River Outfitters
Togiak, AK -
Churches representing more than four million members
- The Episcopal Church
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- National Council of Churches USA
- Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness
- United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
- United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
-
Sport fishing and hunting organizations
- L.L. Bean
- Woolrich
- Orvis
- Filson
- Ex Officio
- Sage
- Simms
Investors
- Investors representing $170 billion led by Trillium and Calvert Investments
- Bon Appetit's Buzz Hufford
- Sunset Magazine's Elaine Johnson
- The Art of Food Master Chef Jeri Jackson
- TIffany & Co.
- Zales
- Birks & Mayors
- Helzberg Diamonds
- Fortunoff
- Boucheron
- Jostens
- Ben Bridge
- Herff Jones
Almost 150 chefs, food writers and restaurant owners including:
Jewelry Retail companies
Over 50 jewelry retail companies, representing over $5 billion in annual sales, have pledged not to source gold from Pebble Mine if it's developed because of threat to wild salmon fishery.A full list is here: http://www.ourbristolbay.com/pledge-signee.html