The massive proposed Pebble mine, planned for the headwaters of North America’s greatest remaining wild salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska, is currently advancing quickly toward reality. Wild salmon aside, the rivers and streams of Bristol Bay are known by anglers around the globe as some of the greatest trout fishing streams on earth. Local Alaska Native Tribes, the Alaskan public, commercial and sport fishermen, and concerned citizens worldwide have opposed the mine for over a decade due to its size, type, and location.
Despite being in dire financial straits, the company pushing the mine has filed its application for a key federal-level permit for the project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reviewed the project and released the most important document of the permitting review: the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). However, a cursory review of the DEIS shows that the document blatantly fails to account for the mine’s full potential impacts, leaving Bristol Bay in immediate jeopardy.
Specifically, the assessment does not account for the possibility of largescale tailings dam failures and breezes over impacts caused by an acknowledged destruction of more than 80 miles of streams and 3,500 acres of wetlands. More egregiously, the current permit application considers only Pebble’s phase one plan. Risks posed by the entire project have yet to be fully evaluated, though the mine is closer than ever to reality.
For the sake of North America’s last remaining wild salmon powerhouse region, for a world-class sportfishing destination, for existing subsistence-based indigenous cultures, and for the sporting conservation battle of our generation, please weigh in before May 30. Decision makers in D.C. need to see that opposition to the Pebble mine remains strong and growing.Learn more about the contents of the DEIS, the latest news, and how you can support the fight to stop the proposed Pebble mine at savebristolbay.org/stoppebble2019.