On April 17 2020, a lawsuit seeking to reinstate protections for Bristol Bay was dismissed. This lawsuit was filed against the EPA by the Bristol Bay Coalition in an effort to secure protections under the Clean Water Act for an area that is central to the community’s salmon fishing and economy. This is the same area that is downstream of the proposed Pebble Mine.
Bristol Bay is located along the coast of Southwest Alaska and is home to a largely Alaskan Native population consisting of primarily Yup’ik Eskimo, Alutiiq and Athabaskan tribal members. These communities rely on subsistence fishing to supplement much of their diet. Subsistence practices and traditions connected to the Bristol Bay landscape are a key part of the community’s culture and have been passed down for generations.
The area contains the world’s largest salmon fisheries and generates approximately 42% of the world’s wild salmon harvest. The Bristol Bay fishing industry accounts for more than 14,000 jobs in the area in connection to the harvesting of salmon and outside tourism.
The Pebble Mine proposal would be the largest mining complex in the United States. The proposed mine would span 20 miles and include containment ponds holding up to 10 million tons of mining waste. If built it would be located at the head of two major rivers that feed into Bristol Bay, posing a high risk of pollution. Mining industry accidents happen at even the most carefully managed facilities.
For example, the Mount Polley Mine disaster of 2014 took place at a mining operation built by the same contractors involved in Pebble Mine. It released years of mining waste into the area’s rivers, leaving behind high amounts of heavy metals like arsenic. Such pollution would have a similarly devastating impact on the Bristol Bay salmon population. There is simply not enough proper testing and awareness of long-term risks presented by the mining company to ensure a mining plan that would protect the Bristol Bay ecosystem.
Pebble Mine threatens the livelihood of countless local community members and businesses via this potential destruction of Bristol Bay. Day In Our Bay, a community-based digital storytelling project offers glimpses into these threatened livelihoods of Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) shareholders. William Evanoff, from Nodalton, Alaska, explains that his family subsists on salmon fishing. It is a key part of a summer tradition he shares with his kids. Mel Brown, from Anchorage, believes that responsible development of Bristol Bay is one that cares for these resources as well because they are important to pass down to his grandchildren.

So Why Should Non-Bristol Bay Residents Care?

This environmental issue is not limited to the wellbeing of the salmon population. It is intertwined with a human community’s well being. The livelihood and long-term health of Bristol Bay residents is at risk with the construction of Pebble Mine. These people have built an economy based around sustainable management of their natural resources.

What is the status of the Pebble Mine?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was supposed to release the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Pebble Mine this summer. However, the COVID-19 epidemic may delay its release and a final determination about whether it is permissible under the Clean Water Act. .

So what can we as concerned citizens do about this?

It is crucial to stay updated on Pebble Mine’s permitting process for those that are able to, especially during this time where Bristol Bay community members are also grappling with the COVID-19 epidemic’s effects on personal health and impact on the area’s fishing economy.
Savebristolbay.org offers timely news updates on the situation and also has numerous fact sheets about the proposed mining operation’s risks to the community. There is also a timeline of all that the Bristol Bay Coalition has managed to achieve in the past 10 years.
People can also write and sign the ”Stop Pebble Mine” petition to President Trump asking to stop the progression of the permits process of Pebble Mine. Since the Army Corps of Engineer’s comment period is complete, this petition is another way to make voices heard. By signing and sharing the petition with everyone, the fight against Pebble Mine advances can be brought to the public’s attention.