On May 26th, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published revisions to proposed Clean Water Act protections for Bristol Bay, kicking off a public comment period. Since then, residents in Bristol Bay and allies nationwide have been outspoken in their support for these protections, requesting that they be finalized as soon as possible.
The EPA under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act has the authority to restrict, prohibit or deny mine waste discharge in area waters if it poses a negative, adverse impact to the fishery, drinking water resources or recreation. Tribes, sportfishing groups and commercial fishermen first requested EPA use its authority in 2010 to protect Bristol Bay from the Pebble mine. The EPA initiated the process, but later withdrew proposed protections. Now, EPA has recommitted to durable safeguards for Bristol Bay.
Commercial fisherman and fishing guide Triston Chaney testifies to EPA in support of Clean Water Act protections in his home community of Dillingham. Source: United Tribes of Bristol Bay.
On June 16 and 17, EPA officials traveled to Bristol Bay communities of Dillingham and Newhalen to host hearings where they invited the public to make comments on the proposed Clean Water Act protections. These hearings, plus a virtually held hearing, generated roughly 110 testifiers, with over 90% supporting EPA’s proposed protections and requesting that they finalize the protections quickly. Watch the livestream of the Dillingham hearing here.
“My lodge is one of nearly 100 lodges and outfitters that generate $155 million dollars in economic output every year. I hire my guides and lodge staff locally, and they are included in over 2,300 jobs that are generated from Bristol Bay’s sportfishing industry. I’ve raised my family in Bristol Bay. …They would like to take over and continue to own and operate my lodge as a family business. If Pebble mine goes forward, I cannot in good conscience pass my lodge along to my kids because I know it will not succeed for them in that environment. I hope that you will finalize the strongest and most comprehensive protections for Bristol Bay through section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act as soon as possible so that my family has some security to look forward to in their future and the future of Bristol Bay.”
Following the public hearings, a group of 150 fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation businesses and organizations sent a letter to EPA adding their voice and calling for EPA to finalize the strongest and most comprehensive Clean Water Act protections possible. Read the full letter here.
The groups signed on to the letter represent millions of hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists who know that clean water and healthy habitat are crucial for the recreation and tourism businesses and trips of a lifetime. Their message also ran in Politico on Tuesday, June 28th.
Logos from hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation businesses and organizations who sent a letter to EPA supporting Clean Water Act safeguards for Bristol Bay.
“As businesses and organizations that rely on Bristol Bay’s intact watershed, we have weighed in heavily and supported the local communities and hunting and fishing business owners who loudly and clearly said “no” to the formerly proposed Pebble mine for nearly two decades. Now, we stand behind local people once again in asking you to finalize Clean Water Act 404(c) safeguards to prevent Pebble – or another mining company – from returning to this region in the future.”
The EPA is accepting public comments until September 6th, and we need them to hear us loud and clear that Clean Water Act 404(c) protections are crucial to ensuring Pebble cannot return in future years. Please submit a comment to EPA here.