Senator Murkowski commits to defending Bristol Bay; SalmonState urges EPA veto to restore confidence in process

Photo by Ben Knight, Felt Soul Media

SalmonState thanks Senator Lisa Murkowski for today calling the proposed Pebble Mine “the wrong mine in the wrong place,” pledging to use the appropriations process in Congress to ensure the Bristol Bay region is protected from the proposed mine, and pledging to work on “longer-term protections for the region” during the next Congress. The organization also calls on Senator Murkowski to restore confidence in the process by supporting an Environmental Protection Agency 404c veto of the proposed mine, which is still in permitting.

“The Pebble Tapes pulled back the veil on the failure of the Army Corps permitting process for this mine, and the degree to which the State of Alaska is working hand in glove with Pebble to move the project forward regardless of what Alaskans have to say about it,” said SalmonState executive director Tim Bristol. “We need the senator to put our fears and distrust to rest by taking the shackles off the EPA and allowing EPA scientists to issue a 404c veto of the toxic Pebble Mine under the Clean Water Act. We thank Senator Murkowski for her comments and commitment to work with Tribes and those who care about Bristol Bay to defend this incredible place, and we look forward to working with her to ensure Bristol Bay remains the greatest sockeye salmon resource on the planet.”

The senator made the comments at the annual convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives.