US Blocks Mining Plan in Salmon-Rich Gulf of Alaska

US environmental officials on Tuesday (31) halted plans to build a massive gold and copper mine in Alaska’s salmon-rich Bristol Bay.

The decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a victory for environmentalists, the fishing industry and tribal groups who have been fighting Pebble Mine for two decades.

According to the EPA, the plan was vetoed because it would “help protect Bristol Bay, the world’s most productive wild salmon ecosystem.”

“The Bristol Bay Basin is a major economic engine, creating jobs, livelihoods and significant environmental and cultural value for the region,” agency administrator Michael Regan said in a statement.

Discharge from the mine would have “unacceptable and adverse effects on some salmon fisheries,” said Radhika Fox, the EPA’s assistant administrator.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska pointed out that it should be a “pebble decision.”

“To be clear. I am against Pebble,” he said in a statement. “To be equally clear: I support responsible mining in Alaska, which is a national imperative,” he asserted.

The company behind the blocked project, Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd, said it would fight the decision.

“Prematurely banning the Pebble program is illegal and unprecedented,” said John Shively, CEO of Vancouver-based Pebble Partnership.

“The next step is to take legal action to address this injustice,” he added.

Project promoters say the region has billions of dollars worth of gold and copper deposits.

Bristol Bay produces half of the world’s sockeye salmon, and the industrial fishery employs about 15,000 people.

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