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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Souers Kober,Communications Director,206-213-0330 x 23

EPA Takes Step Toward Protecting World's Largest Salmon Fishery from Harmful Mine

Statement of Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers

The Environmental Protection Agency today announced a process that could lead to prohibiting industrial mining in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The agency is invoking its Clean Water Act authority to assess whether to prohibit or restrict waste disposal from the proposed Pebble Mine into Alaska's pristine Bristol Bay watershed, one of the most productive on earth.

WASHINGTON

Statement of Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers

The Environmental Protection Agency today announced a process that could lead to prohibiting industrial mining in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The agency is invoking its Clean Water Act authority to assess whether to prohibit or restrict waste disposal from the proposed Pebble Mine into Alaska's pristine Bristol Bay watershed, one of the most productive on earth.

The rivers of Bristol Bay support the world's largest salmon fishery, worth more than $300 million annually. Pebble would be North America's largest open pit mine, threatening not only clean water and salmon, but the way of life of native tribes and the economy of local communities.

American Rivers listed the rivers of Bristol Bay among America's Most Endangered Rivers for six years (1990-1993, 2006, and 2011), highlighting the threat of mining and the national importance of the rivers.

Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:

"We applaud EPA for taking this important step toward protecting one of the world's last great places. The risks associated with this mine are simply too great to allow it in such a pristine area. We hope EPA follows the science and ultimately decides to block the mine. We must protect Bristol Bay and its salmon and clean water for future generations."

- See more at: https://www.americanrivers.org/newsroom/press-releases/epa-invoking-auth...

American Rivers is the only national organization standing up for healthy rivers so our communities can thrive. Through national advocacy, innovative solutions and our growing network of strategic partners, we protect and promote our rivers as valuable assets that are vital to our health, safety and quality of life. Founded in 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions.