Friday, February 25, 2011

Coalition asks EPA to take stronger action on proposed mine near Alaska's Bristol Bay

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A coalition of fishing, hunting and sporting groups is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect Alaska's salmon-rich Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine.
More than 360 organizations signed a letter sent Thursday to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson urging the agency to exercise its authority under the Clean Water Act "to withdraw waters and wetlands in the headwaters of the Bristol Bay watershed from future specification as disposal sites for dredge and fill activity associated with mining operations."
Scott Hed with the Sportsman's Alliance for Alaska, one of the organizers of the campaign, says the goal is to ultimately stop the project from developing.
The EPA announced Feb. 7 it would study the Bristol Bay watershed.
Supporters say the development could provide great opportunities for the region.

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