SalmonState stands with Bristol Bay in calling for lasting protections

Photo by Jonny Armstrong

SalmonState stands with the people of Bristol Bay as, today, they call for lasting protections for their region, home to the world’s most significant sockeye salmon resource.

“President-elect Biden has made clear that he understands Bristol Bay is too special and fragile a place to open up to large-scale, open-pit hard rock mining and the toxic waste that comes with it. Today it’s our hope that he hears the people of Bristol Bay and follows their lead as to the best way to protect their home and defend this national treasure,” said SalmonState Executive Director Tim Bristol. “While it’s great that the Army Corps has denied a permit to the proposed Pebble Mine, Bristol Bay is far from safe. It’s imperative that one of President-elect Biden’s first acts be to restore Clean Water Act protections proposed by the Obama administration, which the Trump administration did away with after a closed-door meeting with Pebble’s CEO. A Clean Water Act 404c veto is the strongest step the President-elect’s administration can take. It’s also a step supported by Tribes, fishermen, more than a million Americans, and a three-year, twice peer-reviewed study.

“The vital next step is codifying Bristol Bay protections permanently via legislation. People across the political spectrum have called for this incredible region to remain intact. We urge President-elect Biden and Congress to act swiftly and decisively to enact lasting protections for this one-of-a-kind American treasure, which is home to a vibrant Native culture, provides thousands of American jobs, and produces more wild salmon than anywhere else in the world.”