Today, Trout Unlimited announced it has appealed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its July 2019 decision to withdraw protections for Bristol Bay’s world-class salmon streams, known as the 404(c) Proposed Determination for Bristol Bay.
"Bristol Bay is simply too important not to pursue every angle to protect it from the irresponsible proposed Pebble mine," said Nelli Williams, Alaska Director for Trout Unlimited. "Contrary to Pebble's claims, this mine has many hurdles in front of it - this lawsuit being just one of them. An overwhelming majority of Alaskans and millions of Americans opposed to this mine, local land owners are refusing access for the project, every major investor has walked away from the project because it is not economically viable, and criticisms from agencies, tribes, scientific experts and the public remain unanswered. The proposed Pebble mine still faces a significant uphill battle."
The Proposed Determination safeguarded the Bristol Bay region and its world-class fisheries from large-scale mining operations like the proposed Pebble mine by placing reasonable limits on how much salmon streams and wetlands mining could destroy. These limits were proposed after years of scientific research, multiple peer reviews, and with the support of millions of Americans. The EPA’s decision to withdraw these safeguards ignored the overwhelming weight of its own scientists and experts, which was our primary reason for filing the initial lawsuit.
Need a refresher of our lawsuit against the EPA? Check out our Quick Guide to the Lawsuit below.
TU’s claims will now go before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for review. TU is being represented pro bono by DC-based law firm, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP.
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