Effects of Bristol Bay Development Projects

The EPA says the study will give the agency a better understanding of how future projects could affect water quality and salmon fisheries. The EPA initiated the assessment after concerns from tribes and other Bristol Bay business petitioned the agency last year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning a rare scientific study of the potential effects and possible water contamination from proposed large-scale development projects like the proposed Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay area. 

The EPA intends to conduct research by gathering data and public opinion.Nuna Resource, an organization made up of business leaders in the Bristol Bay area, says it supports sustainable resource development through due process and is on board with the EPA's decision."I think the EPA should be looking at the scientific information brought forth by the industry and what it means to the environment and how it's potentially going to impact the sustainability of communities that have high unemployment rates that need diversity in their economies," said Abe Williams, Nuna Resource Director.

Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, a collection of about 2,000 commercial fishermen, says it couldn't be more pleased with the EPA's announcement.The group originally requested a 404(c), a provision in the Federal Clean Water Act that allows the EPA to bar certain waters in the U.S. from dredge, field development and mine."We depend upon clean waters and healthy habitat in Bristol Bay to prosecute our businesses, which are extremely wealthy-over 400, 500 million dollars a year in raw value that comes out of that area and wages, so we are extremely concerned about the sustainability of the fishery in Bristol Bay," said Bob Waldrop, executive director for Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association.

Pebble Mine officials say they're pleased the EPA decided not to implement the 404(c) process.The Pebble Partnership says what the EPA is studying isn't clear yet, so declined to comment.According to the EPA, "The Bristol Bay watershed is essential to the health, environment and economy of Alaska. Gathering data and getting public input now, before development occurs, just makes sense."Governor Sean Parnell said, "The governor has always been clear that the Bristol Bay fishery will be protected under existing permitting processes. We are skeptical that EPA's planned information-gathering process, which is still not clearly defined, will add value."