Bristol Bay Winter '15 Update: We need you this year!

 

 

After the strong EPA comment period last summer and an overwhelming result of a Ballot initiative in the midterm election, there is no question that Alaskans want Pebble Mine stopped and Bristol Bay protected. Incredibly, a majority of Alaskans voted for the measure to further restrict mining in Bristol Bay in every single precinct across the state.  Now we just need to make sure our elected officials are listening to Alaskans and fishermen and women….and not a junior mining company. In 2015 we hope you will join us to secure certainty for Bristol Bay’s healthy salmon and trout runs. 

 

Here are a few of the things that happened since our last update. 

 

1. Pebble “Partnership” struggles to find investors, share prices drop: By the end of 2014, the mining giants that formerly comprised the Pebble Limited Partnership had left, leaving only Northern Dynasty Minerals, a junior mining company that has never developed a mine before. The share price of Northern Dynasty dropped precipitously as the company failed to find additional investors in the face of overwhelming public opposition. Now, the “Partnership” appears to be little more than a shell operation, barely able to fund its political games and legal shenanigans. 

 

Which brings us to…

 

2. Pebble Limited Partnership lawsuits stall Clean Water Act protections: In a desperate effort to delay the Clean Water Act protections for Bristol Bay, Pebble filed three lawsuits. The first lawsuit was thrown out, but has been appealed. Another suit is in very early stages of review. However, in December, a federal judge in Alaska responded to a third case by issuing a preliminary injunction, which temporarily stalled the EPA’s protections for Bristol Bay. We hope to see legal proceedings to begin again soon.

 

3. U.S. Congress ignoring Alaskans; make it easier for Pebble mine: The lawsuit buys time for anti-EPA forces in the newly elected Congress to launch legislative attacks aimed at stripping the EPA of its ability to protect Bristol Bay. Already, we have seen a reintroduction a bill to limit the EPA’s ability to carry out the protections that Alaskans have requested to protect salmon, the cultures, jobs, and recreation in Bristol Bay (Senate Bill 234). Specifically, the bill would limit the window for EPA protections to once a permit has been filed. The problem is, this allows Pebble to wait for more favorable political circumstances with no accountability to Alaskans; leaving Bristol Bay residents and businesses to sit and wait with the uncertainty of the mine in the region looming over their businesses and way of life. 

 

4. Third largest salmon run forecast for 2015 in the history of the Bristol Bay commercial fishery: This forecast makes it clear that now more than ever is the time to put standards in place that protect the clean water and habitat that make Bristol Bay salmon so plentiful. By not pandering to the short-term desires of a nearly bankrupt mining company, we can ensure that next generation of Alaskans will have thriving runs of salmon in Bristol Bay to use and enjoy. 

 

 

We’ll need you to continue to be involved in 2015 as we ward off attacks to the protections we seek for this world-class fishery. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the latest. Thank you!