FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2017
Contact: Nelli Williams, Trout Unlimiteds Alaska Program (907) 230-7121
No Free Pass say Alaskans to Pebble Mine backers
ANCHORAGE, AK Alaskans and anglers, hunters, and the dozens of sport-fishing business owners that operate in the Bristol Bay region are extremely disappointed by todays announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to withdraw the July, 2014 Clean Water Act Section 404(c) Proposed Determination. If finalized, the Proposed Determination would have applied up-front restrictions on mining activities that harm salmon in Alaskas Bristol Bay watershed.
Brian Kraft, owner of Alaska Sportsmans Lodges, replied with the following statement:
Its absurd that the EPA and our elected officials are bending over backwards to appease a foreign mining company at the expense of good-paying Alaskan jobs. Alaskans have made it clear time and again that developing the Pebble Mine in the worlds greatest wild salmon fishery is a terrible idea. Just look at the salmon pouring into these rivers right now. Thats money for businesses and communities, thats food for our families. Pebble will always be a bad idea.
Nanci Morris Lyon, owner of Bear Trail Lodge and resident of King Salmon, AK replied:
It is incredibly disappointing that leaders in Washington, D.C. are turning their backs on hard working Alaskans. Bristol Bay salmon are what make our communities and local economy hum this time of year. People come from all over the world to experience this fishery. The 11 billion tons of waste that Pebble Mine would produce risks salmon and thousands of jobs and businesses. Thats clearly putting Alaskans and American resources last.
Nelli Williams, of Trout Unlimiteds Alaska Program in Anchorage, replied with the following statement:
The action today shows that the EPA is extremely out of touch with Alaskans and hunters and anglers across the country. Americans submitted more than 1.5 million comments to the EPA in opposition to the Pebble Mine. We will continue to work with Alaskans and hunters and anglers around the country until Bristol Bays salmon, jobs, and communities are safe. Pebble will not get a free pass.
During the EPAs peer reviewed scientific assessment and review of the threats posed by the proposed Pebble Mine to Bristol Bays world-class fisheries, 99 percent of all comments were in favor of up-front protections for the Bristol Bay region. Bristol Bay supports thousands of American jobs, a commercial fishing industry valued at $1.5 billion per year and is a dream vacation destination for hunters and anglers around the world.
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Trout Unlimited is the nations oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization. In Alaska, we work with hunters and anglers to ensure the states trout and salmon resources remain healthy through our local chapters and offices in Anchorage and Juneau. Follow us online at www.savebristolbay.org, www.tu.org or on Facebook.com/SaveBristolBay.