Let’s make 2022 the last time Bristol Bay’s fishing season starts under the shadow of Pebble Mine.
UPDATE: This comment period has been extended to September 6, 2022, giving us more time to speak up. Please take a moment to send a comment to EPA today.
Three weeks ago, fresh hope arrived in the long fight to stop Pebble Mine, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency turned the spotlight on us, the public.
On May 25, EPA published a formal proposal to protect Bristol Bay’s headwaters under the Clean Water Act.
EPA’s plan lands as fishers from around the world gather in Bristol Bay for the commercial sockeye fishing season and the sportfishing high season. The 2022 season is projected to again set a record for returning wild sockeye, which fuel the productivity of the whole region.
EPA’s plan for Bristol Bay lands as fishers from around the world gather for the 2022 commercial sockeye season and the sportfishing high season.
EPA’s Section 404(c) Proposed Determination would prohibit and restrict the use of certain waters in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material associated with mining the Pebble Deposit.
These watersheds are key to Bristol Bay’s status as the greatest wild salmon fishery left on the planet—a fishery that EPA’s own scientists have found would be irreversibly damaged by Pebble Mine’s operations.
Now, it’s up to us to tell EPA that we support the strongest possible version of this plan: one strong enough to end the threat of Pebble Mine forever.
On May 31, EPA kicked off a five-week public comment period on its proposed protections. This gives us a rare and powerful opportunity to show EPA that the world still stands with Bristol Bay Tribes and communities after so many years of fighting the mine.
It’s up to us to tell EPA that we support the strongest possible version of this plan: one strong enough to end the threat of Pebble Mine forever.
“During this comment period, we can all speak up for Bristol Bay and truly be heard,” says WSC Alaska Program Director Emily Anderson. “We can show our support for EPA action to end the threat of Pebble Mine forever.”
EPA’s comment period now ends on September 6. That gives us plenty of time to speak up, alongside Bristol Bay Tribes and communities that have led this campaign since 2005, when Pebble Mine was first proposed. With Bristol Bay’s fishing fleet heading out to sea for much of the summer, these communities need our voices more than ever.
“Bristol Bay is unique: a wild salmon fishery that feeds the world,” Anderson says. “Bristol Bay Tribes, communities, commercial and sport fishing businesses, and the majority of Alaskans all agree that no mine is worth the risk.”
It’s all hands on deck to make sure that EPA receives this message loud and clear. This is our moment to end Pebble Mine and make 2022 the last time Bristol Bay’s fishing season starts under the shadow of Pebble Mine.
This is our moment to end Pebble Mine, and make 2022 the last time Bristol Bay’s fishing season starts under the shadow of Pebble Mine.
