EPA takes first step toward protecting Bristol Bay

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that they would conduct a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed, the location of the proposed Pebble Mine. 

Conservation Alliance grantee Trout Unlimited, along with federally-recognized Bristol Bay tribes and local business owners, have been working to prevent Pebble Mine, which could destroy 40,000 square miles of wetland and endanger the world’s largest sockeye salmon run.

“Today’s announcement from the EPA is a great first step toward protecting Bristol Bay from the dangers of Pebble Mine,” said Tim Bristol, Director of Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Program. “We are pleased the EPA is doing the right thing by starting a public process and gathering scientific data about how mining would have an impact on the health and environment of Bristol Bay.”

Read teh full EPA press release here.