Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its revised Proposed Determination (PD) for Bristol Bay, taking a big step forward in finalizing Clean Water Act 404(c) protections for southwest Alaska. This decision is applauded by Alaskans and anglers around the United States. The release of the revised PD also initiates a 40-day public comment period.
Learn more and submit comments today.
If the proposed protections are finalized, they will prohibit and restrict the discharge of mine waste into rivers, streams and wetlands of the North and South Fork of the Koktuli River and Upper Talarik Creek, rivers that would be heavily impacted if the Pebble mine was built.
Expanding the scope of the Proposed Determination demonstrates the EPA is committed to ensuring durable protections for the Bristol Bay fishery. In addition to EPA’s announcement, the agency also will open another public comment period for hunters and anglers nationwide to weigh in on.
Now, we have an opportunity to finalize Clean Water Act protections for the Bristol Bay region and help ensure that the proposed Pebble mine or others like it won’t come back. Check out the full press release from Trout Unlimited, and take action by commenting your support to the EPA, and stay tuned for the next call to action.
