EPA Final Determination Vetoes Proposed Pebble Mine
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) used its 404(c) authority under the Clean Water Act to halt approval and final construction of the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The EPA’s final determination effectively bars Pebble Mine, citing concerns about the impacts of mine waste and discharges on the famous Bristol Bay salmon fishery.
The American Game Fishing Association (ASA) commends this decision and thanks the EPA for acting to ensure clean waters throughout Bristol Bay for years to come. Stopping development of this mine was a team effort between Alaskans, tribes, the outdoor recreation community, partner organizations, and the millions of anglers and sportsmen across the country.
“EPA’s final determination will protect Bristol Bay’s iconic fisheries from the impacts of mining waste, extending crucial safeguards to one of the world’s largest salmon fishing destinations,” said the Director of Inland Fisheries Policy. from ASA, Connor Bevan. “ASA thanks EPA for incorporating the voices of Alaskan communities and tribes, as well as fishermen across the country, who have long opposed the potential impact of the Pebble Mine on the headwaters of Bristol Bay” .
Bevan also thanked the thousands of sport fishing advocates who continually voiced their opposition to the construction of Pebble Mine through ASA’s Keep America Fishing Action Center.
Prior to the ban, the Army Corps of Engineers refused to grant Pebble Mine the necessary federal permits to extract copper, gold and molybdenum from the mine. ASA is hopeful that this is the final step in the potential construction process for this mine.
For future updates or changes to the EPA’s decision, sign up for updates from ASA’s Keep America Fisheries Action Center.
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The American Sport Fishing Association (ASA) is the trade association for the sport fishing industry committed to representing the interests of the sport fishing and boating industries, as well as the entire sport fishing community. We provide the industry and anglers with a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect the sport fishing business or sport fishing itself. ASA invests in companies for the long term to ensure the industry remains strong and prosperous, as well as to safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation, and social values of America’s sport fishing. ASA also gives America’s 55 million fishermen a voice in political decisions that affect their ability to fish sustainably in our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national fisherman advocacy campaign. America’s fishermen generate more than $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating jobs for 825,000 people.