Alaska’s Bristol Bay teems with aquatic life and is particularly well known for its “bountiful and sustainable harvests of wild salmon,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But this bay has long been threatened by the proposed Pebble Mine, a proposed project to obtain large amounts of copper and gold from the area.
The proposed mine received heavy criticism, however, for its potential to destroy 3,500 acres of wetlands, eliminate thousands of jobs, severely harm the sport-fishing and tourism economy in the area, and infringe upon local indigenous cultures. The Bristol Bay also provides a significant portion
of the world’s salmon, whose populations could be altered by a mine. Widespread opposition to the proposal spread throughout social media, garnering support from politicians. Even Donald Trump Jr. came out against the proposed project, stating that the “headwaters of Bristol Bay and the surrounding fishery are too unique and fragile to take any chances with.” A leaked recording of Pebble executives, which revealed that their plans for the mine were far larger than they had previously admitted, spurred further controversy. In the face of mounting protests from the public and from politicians, the Army Corps of Engineers ultimately rejected an essential permit for the mine on the grounds of protecting the environment and heeding the advice of the public—a major victory for environmentalists after a decade of conflict with the mining corporation.
However, we should celebrate this small victory with caution. As Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington warned, “denial of a permit does not mean Bristol Bay is safe from the threat of the Pebble Mine.” Environmentalists are prepared to continue the battle to protect one of Alaska’s most vibrant and beautiful locations. Regardless of the Pebble Mine project’s status, its denial demonstrates the government’s increasingly attentive ear toward environmental matters, hinting at a more hopeful and green future for our nation.
Images:
Left: the proposed site of the Pebble Mine project this summer. Source: static01.nyt.com.
Right: bristol Bay. Source: nytimes.com.
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