On Tuesday, May 11th, the Alaska state legislature overwhelmingly blocked a Pebble Limited Partnership employee from being confirmed to the State’s Board of Fisheries. Legislators voted 41-18 to prevent Abe Williams, Regional Director for the Pebble Limited Partnership, from being confirmed to the board that oversees the management of the state’s fisheries.
Since Governor Michael Dunleavy nominated Williams to the Board in April 2020, Alaskans in Bristol Bay and statewide have been clear that the nominee was an unsuitable candidate for the Board. Williams’ employment represented a clear conflict of interest, and in 2019, he sued his fellow commercial fishermen for their opposition to the Pebble mine. The Pebble-funded lawsuit was dismissed by a judge.
On Tuesday, elected officials spoke on the floor prior to the vote. Rep. Bryce Edgmon, who represents Dillingham, nodded specifically to the fact that Williams was a divisive figure in Bristol Bay. Rep. Edgmon also shared the evidence of overwhelming local opposition to the nominee, including letters from Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Association, and United Tribes of Bristol Bay, who all opposed Williams being confirmed. Watch Rep. Edgmon’s floor speech below.
Bristol Bay fishery users and Alaskans from the state weighed in during committee hearings earlier this spring to overwhelmingly oppose Williams being confirmed to the Board. The legislature voted across wide bipartisan lines to block the nomination.
“The decisions we make today will have long-lasting impacts on our state’s fisheries and the communities, economies, businesses and individuals they support far into the future. We appreciate the legislature not confirming Mr. Williams to the Board of Fisheries. It sends a strong message to the Governor and the Pebble Partnership that the Pebble Mine project, and the company’s influence in our state, are not welcome.”
As the only nominee who failed to be confirmed by the legislature, Williams’ represents the strong opposition that Alaskans have to the Pebble Limited Partnership across the state.
We strongly encourage the Governor to put forward a new nominee who is committed to conserving the fishery for current users and future generations.