EPA vetoes controversial Alaska mining project in effort to protect salmon population

Source: ABC News

The Environmental Protection Agency has vetoed a controversial proposed gold and copper mine in Alaska.

Pebble Limited Partnership, the company that would control the mine commonly known as Pebble Mine, argues it would bring economic opportunity to the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. However, the location of the mine and the infrastructure needed for it to become operational is the focus of a coalition of local Alaska Natives, fishermen and conservation groups concerned about the environmental impact it would have on the Bristol Bay watershed, which is home to the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery.

“After extensive review of scientific and technical research spanning two decades, and robust stakeholder engagement, EPA has determined that certain discharges associated with developing the Pebble deposit will have unacceptable adverse effects on certain salmon fishery areas in the Bristol Bay watershed,” the EPA said in a statement Monday.

The EPA, citing the Clean Water Act, said it has the authority to veto the project because of the impact of "certain discharges of dredged or fill material associated with development of a mine at the Pebble deposit." Pebble Limited Partnership said it will fight the EPA's decision, which it said will hurt the economic opportunity for local residents.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/epa-vetoes-controversial-alaska-mining-project-effort-protect/story?id=96770254

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