Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the key permit for the proposed Pebble mine and announced that it found the proposed Pebble mine would cause significant degradation to the Bristol Bay region.
That’s right, Pebble is stopped.
“Good riddance. The opposition to this project from all corners of the political spectrum runs strong and deep, the science is clear, the process has played out and there is no way this ill-conceived project can coexist with Bristol Bay salmon. Denying Pebble’s permit is a victory for American jobs, rural communities and a fishing and hunting paradise long threatened by this shortsighted and reckless mine proposal. With this permit behind us, the people of Bristol Bay can start the work to ensure the region is protected into the future from threats like this,” said Nelli Williams, Alaska Director for Trout Unlimited. Read Trout Unlimited’s full press release here.
With our celebration comes immense gratitude for your voices, your persistence, your generosity and your time. Showing up to testify, writing comments, calling elected officials, repping endless “No Pebble mine stickers”- it all helped us get here.
Today’s announcement is supported by the majority of Alaskans and 80% of the Bristol Bay region’s residents who have opposed the project for nearly two decades. In various comment periods in the effort to permit Pebble, over 3 million Americans weighed in with the same message: Pebble will threaten American jobs, American fisheries, and one of North America’s most unique and cherished regions, and is the wrong mine for Bristol Bay.
For more than a decade, Trout Unlimited brought our organizing tools, science-backed policy expertise, nationwide network, and legal proficiency to this effort. From day one, we stood behind businesses who would be most impacted and the Yup’ik, Dena’ina, and Alutiiq peoples who have taken care of the region since time immemorial.
Thank you to each and every supporter who signed petitions, wrote letters, made calls and donated to ensure that our voices for Bristol Bay were heard loud and clear.
Today, the coalition of people working to fight Pebble- Tribes, hunters and anglers, commercial fishermen, and many others- are celebrating.
But we know our work isn’t done.
Our initial commitment to Bristol Bay was to stop the proposed Pebble mine. With today’s permit denial, we’ve done that. But our other commitment to the fish, people and fish-based resources of the region looks to the future. Today, we recommit to getting up-front, community supported, permanent protection for the Bristol bay region so that Pebble, or any other mining company does not have the opportunity to ruin Bristol bay again.
With this, we know the fight isn’t over. Today, we celebrate. Next week, we come back ready to make sure that the people and fish of Bristol Bay never have to think about their homes turning into an industrial mining district again. We hope you will join us pursuing long term protection for Bristol Bay.