The Environmental Protection Agency and the Obama Administration heard loud and clear from a unique coalition this week: Save Bristol Bay and Stop Pebble Mine.
With the health of the world’s largest sockeye fishery in danger from a proposed copper and gold mine, the unprecedented, bipartisan Save Bristol Bay coalition – ranging from Alaska Natives to commercial fishermen, chefs, jewelers, sportsmen and more – brought their fight to protect Bristol Bay, Alaska and its sustainable salmon to Washington, D.C.
“The EPA has the tools to protect Bristol Bay, where more than 40 million salmon migrated last year,” said Paul Greenberg, an author and recreational fisherman. “This is one of our last remaining watersheds for healthy, wild salmon. Even trace amounts of toxic metals from mine waste can interfere with salmon’s ability to navigate and spawn, endangering their survival and the future of this fishery.”
As part of Save Bristol Bay week, more than 20 D.C.-area restaurants are serving Bristol Bay salmon all week. The coalition, featuring speakers Greenberg, Alaska Native Peter Andrew, commercial fishing representative Bob Waldrop and former Alaska State Senate President Rick Halford, held a national telepress conference today. Tonight, a Congressional reception celebrating Bristol Bay salmon is being hosted by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Sen. Mark Begich, (D-AK). The reception, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, also features Paul Greenberg and photos by National Geographic photographer Michael Melford.
There are now tens of thousands of individuals and thousands of organizations and businesses who represent Alaska Natives, anglers, outdoor equipment manufacturers, commercial fishermen, jewelers, chefs, restaurant owners and people of faith who are asking for the federal agency to protect Bristol Bay from Pebble Mine.
“This mine risks destroying the world’s greatest salmon fishery,” said Bob Waldrop, Executive Director of the non-profit Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. “Storing toxic mine waste forever in an earthquake-prone area is just foolish. Pebble Mine puts our last great wild salmon fishery at great risk. We should not take chances with this valuable resource.”
The group is urging the EPA to invoke its authority under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act, which prohibits mining permits if disposing of dredged material will have an "unacceptable adverse effect" on fisheries, wildlife and drinking water.
More than 200 chefs, retailers and leaders in the food community who want to protect this natural food resource – including Tom Colicchio, Alice Waters and Mark Bittman – also sent a letter to the EPA urging the agency to use its 404(c) authority.
Bristol Bay supports a $450 million a year fishing and tourism industry and sustains about 12,000 jobs. The proposed Pebble Mine would dig an open-pit gold and copper mine up to two miles wide and 1,700 feet deep. This mine could dump up to 10 billion tons of perpetually toxic waste in the heart of the Bristol Bay watershed. This area is known for frequent earthquakes, which puts the watershed – and all its fish and wildlife - at an even greater risk for long-term toxic pollution and catastrophic damage.
“I’ve been fishing for salmon in Bristol Bay since 1969. Salmon is our life,” said Peter Andrew, who is a former president of New Stuyahok Ltd., a Native Alaska village corporation. “I want to thank this huge and diverse group of people for joining Alaskans in asking for the EPA to stop Pebble Mine.”
The EPA took the first step toward protecting the Bristol Bay watershed in southwest Alaska on Feb. 7, when the agency announced plans to initiate a scientific study of the Bristol Bay watershed to better understand how future large-scale development projects could affect Bristol Bay’s water quality, fisheries, and communities.
“We are confident that after the science and other public input are considered, the EPA and the Obama Administration will join Alaska Natives, commercial and sport fishermen, chefs, restaurant owners, and outdoor enthusiasts to protect Bristol Bay, its fisheries, resources and jobs," said former Alaska State Senate President Rick Halford.
The week-long Save Bristol Bay week in Washington, D.C. includes:
For the full schedule of events and information, please visit www.savebristolbay.org
For more information, contact:
Kristin Dizon, 206-631-1989 or KristinD@strategies360.com
David Pringle, 206-412-1231 or DavidP@strategies360.com
