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News Articles
Following is a selection of recent news articles about Bristol Bay. Click into any news story to read the full article.
Save Bristol Bay
February 25, 2011
OregonLive.com
A precious renewable resource is once again under threat by a mining project that is mind boggling in scope and dangerous in potential damage to the public interest. Thankfully, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced it will conduct a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed in western Alaska. Conservationists believe this review is desperately needed to give an objective view of the risks the Pebble Mine project poses to the vast benefits provided by the public lands and rivers of Alaska's Bristol Bay.
Fishing in Bristol Bay: Past, Present, and Future
February 24, 2011
Anchorage Daily News
Panel Discussion:
Tuesday, Mar 15 5:00p to 7:00p at UAA Campus Bookstore, Anchorage, AK
Panelists include author Dave Atcheson (Kenai Peninsula College/UAA), Tim Troll, Director of SW Alaska Programs for The Nature Conservancy; Biologist Dr. Carol Ann Woody (US Geological Survey; UAF); and Melvin Brown, Bristol Bay subsistence and commercial fisherman. Everyone is invited to hear about controversial and sensitive issues surrounding Bristol Bay, Alaska.
Hunters, Anglers, Sportsmen Call on Obama Administration and Federal Environmental Protection Agency to Protect Bristol Bay, Alaska
February 24, 2011
PRNewswire via Yahoo! Finance
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A united coalition of fishing, hunting and sporting organizations from nearly every U.S. state joined together on Thursday to ask the federal Environmental Protection Agency to use its authority to protect Bristol Bay, Alaska from the dangers of the proposed Pebble Mine.
More than 360 organizations, ranging from fly fishing groups to big game hunters, signed a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, urging her to use the agency's authority under the Clean Water Act to protect Bristol Bay from large-scale mining and development. Next week, representatives of these groups will meet with legislators and agency members in Washington, D.C. to ask for support.
OPINION: Scientific assessment of Bristol Bay watershed is encouraging
February 23, 2011
The Bristol Bay Times
In August, 2010, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson stood in the same gym where we grew up, winning and losing basketball tournaments, celebrating graduations, and gathering to discuss important issues in our communities. Administrator Jackson heard a unanimous message from our region that day: "Use your power under the Clean Water Act to protect Bristol Bay, our fishery, our water, our people."
Six months later, Administrator Jackson and her agency proved that they've heard our message loud and clear. By announcing this week they will conduct a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed, the EPA has taken a first step in responding to the formal request made by Bristol Bay tribes, commercial fishermen, sportsmen, and residents, to initiate a 404c process to identify and deny, "...potential unacceptable adverse affects from large-scale development, on the Bristol Bay watershed."
As happy as we would have been with an immediate action by the EPA to stop Pebble Mine, we are very encouraged by the approach the agency has taken. The EPA views Bristol Bay as important enough to gather all the information necessary to make a smart, informed decision - a decision that will be fact based, and impossible to refute.
BBNC dividend value gets a boost
February 22, 2011
The Bristol Bay Times
Shareholders of the Bristol Bay Native Corp. will see a value boost of nearly 60 percent per share, beginning with the June quarterly dividend payment, under an increase approved by the firm's board of directors.
The BBNC board, in an announcement today, said that decision to boost payment per share from $13.80 to $22 came during the board's quarterly meeting last Friday.
The dividend increase is part of a five-year strategic plan that calls for a significant increase in shareholder dividend distributions beginning with the June payment.
Sen. Murkowski Cautions EPA Officials Against Overreaching with Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment
February 16, 2011
Hauling Gear Blog
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, cautioned the federal agency against overreaching in its assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed and prejudging any project prior to the release of a detailed development plan and the completion of a full scientific analysis of potential impacts
NY Times editorial supports EPA Bristol Bay study
February 14, 2011
The Dutch Harbor Fisherman
roposed mining development at the headwaters of the Bristol Bay watershed continues to draw national attention from proponents of resources development who cite economic value and national security, and opponents citing potential environmental, economic and social destruction.
The Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 7 announced that the agency is embarking on a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed to determine how large development projects, such as the Pebble mine, may affect water quality and fisheries.
The New York Times, in an editorial today, lent its support to the EPA study, arguing that the mine poses a huge threat to America's richest salmon fishery.
Alaska Fishermen Applaud EPA Announcement
February 8, 2011
Delta News Web
Anchorage – Alaska commercial fishermen today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that they will conduct a scientific assessment of Bristol Bay watershed to better understand likely impacts of large scale extractive development on water quality. In the announcement, EPA’s Regional Administrator referred to concerns he received from fishermen, tribes, businesses and others about the Pebble Mine project affecting Alaska’s most valuable commercial salmon fishery.
EPA to review planned Bristol Bay projects, including Pebble mine
February 7, 2011
Anchorage Daily News
The federal Environmental Protection Agency said today that it will review the suitability of large-scale development projects -- such as the proposed copper and gold Pebble mine -- in the Bristol Bay watershed.
The EPA said it is launching the review in response to petitions last year from tribes and other organizations opposed to Pebble. Those groups are worried about the potential impact of large-scale mining on Bristol Bay's world-class salmon runs.
"The Bristol Bay watershed is essential to the health, environment and economy of Alaska," said EPA Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran in a written statement.
"Gathering data and getting public review now, before development occurs, just makes sense. Doing this we can be assured that our future decisions are grounded in the best science and information and in touch with the needs of these communities," McLerran said.
Though it rarely uses this authority, EPA can block waste discharges in areas it determines that development will result in too much harm to aquatic life, recreational areas and drinking water.
EPA plans scientific assessment of Bristol Bay watershed
February 7, 2011
Environmental Protection Agency
(Anchorage, Alaska—Feb. 7, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will conduct a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed to better understand how future large-scale development projects may affect water quality and Bristol Bay’s salmon fishery, an extraordinary salmon resource for the United States. EPA initiated this assessment in response to concerns from federally-recognized tribes and others who petitioned the agency in 2010 to assess any potential risks to the watershed.
In 2010, nine federally-recognized Bristol Bay tribes petitioned EPA to use its authority under the Clean Water Act to protect Bristol Bay. Their concerns focused on the potential Pebble Mine project. Two other tribes asked EPA to wait for mining projects to submit permit applications before taking action.
This action today does not represent any regulatory decision by the agency; instead it represents EPA’s proactive steps to better understand the watershed and gather important scientific information. This information gathered will inform any future guidelines or actions about how to protect the waters and promote sustainable development.
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