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, AK	Blue Fly B&B and Guide Service King Salmon, AK
  Alagnak Lodge King Salmon, AK	Blueberry Island Lodge Igiugig, AK
  Alaska Alpine Adventures Anchorage, AK	Branch River Air Service King Salmon, AK
  Alaska Bear Guides Petersburg, AK	Bristol Bay Adventures Dillingham, AK
  Alaska Fly Anglers, Inc. Soldotna, AK	Bristol Bay Lodge Dillingham, AK
  Alaska Fly Fish Anchorage, AK	Fishing Bear Lodge Dillingham, AK
  Alaska Fly Fishing Goods Juneau, AK	Copper River Lodge Iliamna, AK
  Alaska Glacier Guides, Inc. Gustavus, AK	Crystal Creek Lodge King Salmon, AK
  Alaska Wilderness Trips, Inc. Soldotna, AK	Mission Creek Lodge Aleknagik, AK
  Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge Thorne Bay, AK	Igiugig Lodge Igiugig, AK
  Alaska West Quinhagak, AK	Kvichak Anglers Igiugig, AK
  Alaska’s Wild River Lodge Port Alsworth, AK	Rapids Camp Lodge King Salmon, AK
  Alaska King Salmon Adventures Dillingham, AK	Rainbow Bend Lodges King Salmon, AK
  Alaska Rainbow Lodge King Salmon, AK	Reel Wilderness Adventures, Inc. Dillingham, AK
  Alaska Salmon Camp Dillingham, AK	River King Outfitters Nushagak River, AK
  Alaska Sportsman’s Bear Trail Lodge King Salmon, AK	Royal Coachman Lodge Dillingham, AK
  Alaska Trophy Fishing Safari Homer, AK	The Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge Igiugig, AK
  Baranof Wilderness Lodge Sitka, AK	Togiak 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

   

  Almost 150 chefs, food writers and restaurant owners including:

  • Bon Appetit's Buzz Hufford
  • Sunset Magazine's Elaine Johnson
  • The Art of Food Master Chef Jeri Jackson

   

  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. 
  • TIffany & Co.
  • Zales
  • Birks & Mayors
  • Helzberg Diamonds
  • Fortunoff
  • Boucheron
  • Jostens
  • Ben Bridge
  • Herff Jones

  A full list is here: http://www.ourbristolbay.com/pledge-signee.html