Press Releases
Contact United Tribes of Bristol Bay Communications Director to join our mailing list for press releases or with other media inquiries.
2024
Today, Northern Dynasty Minerals and Pebble Limited Partnership – companies with a proven history of misleading their stakeholders, political manipulation, and misrepresenting the size and scope of their mine in proposals to the Army Corps – filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court of Alaska challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act veto of the Pebble Mine. This comes just two months after the Supreme Court refused to consider the State of Alaska’s original jurisdiction petition challenging the EPA’s 404(c) action. Northern Dynasty Minerals and Pebble Limited Partnership also filed a separate lawsuit in the Federal Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. alleging that EPA’s veto constituted an illegal “taking” of their property.
2023
Today, the Bristol Bay region - represented by the United Tribes of Bristol Bay and the Bristol Bay Native Corporation - filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of the United States to counter Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Clean Water Act veto of the Pebble Mine.
This week, Northern Dynasty Minerals — the company behind the recently rejected Pebble Mine project in Bristol Bay, Alaska — announced they will release an assessment detailing the alleged economic benefits of a hypothetical operational mine.
Today, the Bristol Bay Defense Fund, a coalition of business, tribal, nonprofit, and community organizations dedicated to protecting Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine, released a poll that shows strong concern among Alaska voters for protecting all of Bristol Bay from large-scale mining and strong support for legislation to protect the watershed from large-scale mining forever.
Today, in a radical “hail Mary,” legal maneuver, the State of Alaska filed a lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final determination for the Pebble deposit. In doing so, the State ignores long established procedural rules regarding challenges of agency actions. Earlier this year, EPA issued 404(c) Clean Water Act protections to end the threat of the Pebble Mine due to the adverse risks it poses to Bristol Bay’s waters and the surrounding ecosystem.
This week, Northern Dynasty Minerals—the company behind the recently vetoed Pebble Mine—agreed to pay nearly $6.4 million to a group of investors who claimed they were misled about the size and scope of the proposed mining project in Bristol Bay, Alaska.
Today, the Bristol Bay fishing season formally began, and it’s estimated that the 2023 sockeye salmon run will be more than 50 million fish. This is the first fishing season in decades that fishermen are gearing up for the first opener without the threat of the Pebble Mine—a proposed massive open pit mine at the headwaters of the Bay that would have produced up to 10.2 billion tons of waste—threatening the salmon that return each year, clean water, and health of the entire ecosystem.
This week, in a decision refusing to overturn its November 2020 permit denial for the proposed Pebble Mine, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remanded a small number of issues raised in a January 2021 appeal filed by the Pebble Limited Partnership for further review by its Alaska District staff. The Army Corps rejected Pebble’s permit application in 2020 based on the agency’s conclusion that the proposed large-scale mine would pose “unacceptable adverse effects” to Bristol Bay’s pristine wetlands and world-class wild salmon fishery. The Alaska District will now document certain specific findings in the administrative record to clarify its permit decision.
Bristol Bay Tribes, fishermen, businesses and allies again reiterated their opposition to mining that jeopardizes Bristol Bay’s cultures and economies in response to the latest mineral exploration efforts in the region.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on February 28 publicized an application from Stuy Mines LLC for mineral exploration activities along Kaskanak Creek, located southwest of the Pebble deposit, and opened a two week public comment period on the application ending March 14.
Bristol Bay Tribes, communities, Alaska Native Corporations and organizations are celebrating the news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized 404(c) Clean Water Act protections that will stop the proposed Pebble Mine from being built at the headwaters of Bristol Bay.
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued 404(c) Clean Water Act protections to end the threat of the Pebble Mine due to the adverse risks it poses to Bristol Bay’s waters and the surrounding ecosystem.
2022
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “Recommended Determination” detailing potential Clean Water Act protections for Bristol Bay that could address the threat of the Pebble Mine. The release marks the closest the EPA has ever been to finalizing Clean Water Act 404(c) protections for Bristol Bay. The next (and final) step in that process is for the agency to determine whether to issue a “Final Determination” formalizing protections.
A lengthy report released today by the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee shows new depths of Pebble’s deceptions to lawmakers, investors and the public, emphasizing the urgent need for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enact Clean Water Act 404(c) safeguards that protect Bristol Bay from the threat of this toxic mine project.
United Tribes of Bristol Bay’s “Salmon Slate” endorsements for the 2022 general election are: Lisa Murkowski and Pat Chesbro for U.S. Senate; Mary Peltola for U.S. House; Les Gara and Bill Walker for Alaska Governor; Lyman Hoffman for Alaska State Senate; and Bryce Edgmon for Alaska State House of Representatives. Additionally, UTBB endorses voting no on ballot measure one, opposing a constitutional convention.
This week, the Bristol Bay Defense Fund launched an advertisement campaign that urges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to end the threat and veto Pebble Mine now. The ads state: “The recorded salmon runs have never been larger. The chorus of Alaskans has never been louder. Return peace to Bristol Bay, veto pebble mine now.”
Bristol Bay residents and Tribes voiced widespread support for Clean Water Act protections during the Environmental Protection Agency’s public comment period that ends Sept. 6, joining a record number of Alaskans urging the federal agency to protect Bristol Bay this year.
Bristol Bay is celebrating Alaska Wild Salmon Day on August 10 as a day of action on the heels of another record-breaking salmon season in Bristol Bay this year.
For the second year in a row, a record number of sockeye have returned to Bristol Bay. Through July 14, Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimates 69.7 million sockeye returned to the Bay and its rivers, breaking the previous record of 67.7 million sockeye, set in 2021. Commercial fishermen have also set a new harvest record for the bay, with 53.3 million sockeye caught through July 14.
Nearly 100 Bristol Bay residents and other supporters urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize strong permanent protections for the region during the agency’s three public hearings this week.
Bristol Bay leaders called for comprehensive protections that protect the full natural headwaters of three critical subwatersheds: the North Fork Koktuli, South Fork Koktuli, and Upper Talarik Creek.
Bristol Bay Tribes, fishermen, and communities are pleased to see the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s announcement regarding revised proposed protections for our lands and waters.
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noticed its publication of a Proposed Determination (PD) regarding the Pebble deposit for Bristol Bay the next step in the process that brings EPA one step closer to enacting 404(c) Clean Water Act protections for the region.
Bristol Bay Tribes, commercial fishermen, and conservation groups joined U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) for a press conference in the House Triangle to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect Bristol Bay from the threat of Pebble Mine as soon as possible.
In February, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game released its 2022 Bristol Bay Commercial Salmon Fishing Outlook, including a projection that 73.4 million sockeye will return to Bristol Bay. The record projections for this fishing season are due to Bristol Bay’s unpolluted and pristine watershed thanks to thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship. For decades, Bristol Bay has been threatened by Pebble Mine – a proposed massive open pit mine at the headwaters of the Bay that would produce up to 10.2 billion tons of waste.
Please join the United Tribes of Bristol Bay in welcoming our new Deputy Director, Delores Larson! For the last five years, Delores has done amazing work at UTBB as the Community Engagement Director and we are very excited for her future with us in this new role. Delores will continue to work remotely from her home community of Koliganek, where she and her husband are raising their family in our subsistence way of life.
The Bristol Bay Defense Fund launched a new $100k digital, print, and television ad campaign that urges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to veto Pebble Mine and finish the job of protecting Bristol Bay. The ads will run in Washington, DC and Alaska, with a large presence in Juneau, Alaska.
Two new campaigns launched today in an effort to finally secure durable protections for Bristol Bay in the decades-long fight against the proposed Pebble Mine – one to advocate for the dual track approach needed to protect the region and one to support champions of Bristol Bay action.
Bristol Bay Tribes are disappointed that after months of outreach to EPA officials requesting robust Tribal consultation on the process moving forward, EPA’s announcement today further delayed the years-long effort to protect Bristol Bay without hearing our input. The Biden administration and the EPA have committed to consult Tribes in their decision-making process, but this should have taken place before today’s announcement. Now, at least one more fishing season could be imperiled by uncertainty.
After five years, UTBB is preparing to wish our Deputy Director Lindsay Layland well as she moves on to follow her passion into a new career path. Lindsay’s skillset & energy were invaluable to our team and the work to protect Bristol Bay. As we get ready for her departure later this spring, UTBB is opening the Deputy Director position for interested applicants.
2021
Bristol Bay Tribes celebrated today's news that the Environmental Protection Agency has set a timeline for considering permanent protections for the region. The agency today announced the timeline for resuming its process to review potential Clean Water Act 404(c) protections for Bristol Bay.
The Bristol Bay Defense Fund launched a new comprehensive digital and TV ad campaign urging the Environmental Protection Agency to “finish the job” of protecting Bristol Bay before the start of the next fishing season.
In a critical step forward in providing permanent protection to the Bristol Bay watershed and vetoing the Pebble Mine, the Federal District Court officially cleared the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reinitiate the Clean Water Act 404(c) process that would allow the agency to protect Bristol Bay.
Bristol Bay Tribes and communities celebrated today’s announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency will resume work on permanent protections for the Bristol Bay watershed that could safeguard the region from mines like the Pebble project.
On the anniversary of President Barack Obama’s visit to Bristol Bay, United Tribes of Bristol Bay submitted approximately 3,500 comments to the Environmental Protection Agency, asking they use Clean Water Act authority to permanently protect the region from mines like Pebble. Those letters come after about 125,000 letters were sent by supporters in the state and nation so far this year.
The Bristol Bay Defense Fund — consisting of Tribes, commercial fishermen, sportsmen, businesses, and conservationists — is reminding the Biden administration to Finish the Job started by the Obama administration. The work to protect Bristol Bay begins by resuming the Clean Water Act 404(c) process to provide the Bay the lasting protection it needs. Activities marking the anniversary include a full-page ad in the New York times and digital advertising.
In a letter sent to Administrator Regan in late July, UTBB asked the agency to officially reopen the 2014 Obama-Biden Clean Water Act Section 404(c) process to permanently protect the area from the proposed Pebble Mine, a process that was arbitrarily halted during the Trump Administration.
“Today's news highlights the urgent need for the Environmental Protection Agency to enact 404(c) protections to permanently remove the looming threat of large-scale hard rock mines like Pebble. While we celebrate the record-breaking salmon returns, our fishery remains in grave danger until the Biden Administration finishes the job to permanently protect Bristol Bay."
The Bristol Bay Defense Fund is launching a “Finish the job” campaign, a comprehensive outreach and media effort including new TV, digital, and print ads. The announcement follows a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan from the United Tribes of Bristol Bay urging him to visit the region to see “firsthand why this irreplaceable landscape must be protected.”
The court's ruling couldn’t be more clear, the Trump administration's political interference in the 404(c) process had no basis in science, law, or fact. It is time to turn the page and get back to the work of providing the necessary protections the people of Bristol Bay have been calling for: an EPA 404(c) veto. The EPA has an obligation to immediately act to protect Bristol Bay and veto the Pebble Mine. They must listen to the science, the lengthy Obama/Biden administration’s record of support, and to people who live in Bristol Bay who are unified in calling for a 404(c) veto.
Bristol Bay leaders again called on the EPA to immediately begin work on Clean Water Act protections for the watershed as the annual return of wild salmon begins anew with no assurance that this life-sustaining resource will remain for future generations.
In an overwhelming majority, the Alaska Legislature today voted against allowing a member of Pebble’s leadership team to serve on the state fisheries management board, reflecting Alaskans’ widespread and bipartisan support for protecting salmon habitat in Bristol Bay.
“As decision makers in Washington D.C. consider protections for our region, it is crucial that they hear firsthand from the people whose way of life is threatened by the proposed Pebble Mine,” said United Tribes of Bristol Bay Executive Director Alannah Hurley. “This campaign shares what is at stake in this fight and will help them understand our urgent need for lasting protections that protect our traditional Native way of life and livelihoods for generations to come. Bristol Bay has had the cloud of Pebble hanging over our region for almost two decades, and it’s time for decision makers to veto the Pebble Mine once and for all.”
Janet McCabe’s nomination is a hopeful sign that this Administration will honor its obligation to listen to our Tribes, conduct government-to-government consultation in good faith, and work with us to protect our home and our waters from the threat of large-scale hard rock mines. We urge Sen. Murkowski and all those who share that commitment to protect Bristol Bay to confirm her nomination as Deputy Administrator swiftly.
Tribes, fishermen and Alaskans have voiced extensive concerns over the Dunleavy Administration’s efforts to unduly restrict the rights of Alaskans in holding water reservations to protect our fisheries and water-dependent ways of life.
We look forward to having an EPA Administrator who will listen to Bristol Bay's Tribes and communities and work with us to protect our lands and waters for future generations.
News that the Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP) filed an unfounded appeal of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) permit denial is just the latest in a long saga of the company’s disgraceful attempts to push their unwanted toxic mine on Bristol Bay.
It's outrageous that Gov. Dunleavy and his administration would go against the will of Alaskans to benefit a foreign mining company that has no value to our state, and shows once again how out of touch he is.
2020
A coalition of Bristol Bay organizations released the “Call to Protect Bristol Bay,” a roadmap that outlines the true protections that provide long-term certainty for those dependent on the region’s robust natural resources.
Bristol Bay Tribes and others are celebrating today’s news that the Army Corps of Engineers will deny Pebble’s major federal permit, as the decision reflects the sound science and overwhelming public opposition to this toxic project.
Bristol Bay Tribes called on the Senator Murkowski to include regional leadership in the development of long-term protections for the area. This call comes as the Tribes' request to meet the Senator remains unanswered.
The release of additional ‘Pebble Tapes’ once again confirms that the company behind the Pebble Mine is deceiving Alaskans and our elected representatives. The new tapes magnify the need for protections that will ensure the region’s future is not driven by political winds and the efforts of a foreign mining company focused on its bottom line.
UTBB is endorsing candidates this year who will protect Bristol Bay’s wild salmon: Joe Biden for U.S. President, Al Gross for U.S. Senate, Alyse Galvin for U.S. Congress, and Bryce Edgmon for Alaska House of Representatives for District 37.
Bristol Bay leaders called on Alaska’s Senators to stand up for Bristol Bay and stop the proposed Pebble Mine in light of recent news about the depth of the company’s deceptions and illicit support from state and federal leaders and regulators.
Today's news of a change of leadership at the Pebble Limited Partnership does nothing to change the company's deceitful and corrupt dealings, and influence on the project's advancement in the State and Federal arenas.
The latest news of Pebble’s duplicitous efforts to get a favorable permit decision confirm what Bristol Bay Tribes and residents have long suspected: the Pebble Limited Partnership has engaged for years in a smoke and mirrors campaign to fool Alaskans and the American people about its project, and it’s time for Alaska’s delegation to step in and protect the region from this corrupt company.
Today’s news that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finally acknowledged Pebble’s proposal is too toxic for Bristol Bay was met with celebration by the region’s Tribes and residents, who have worked to oppose this project for more than 20 years.
This weekend Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden released a strong statement opposing the Pebble Mine and committing to stop the unpopular project. Bristol Bay tribes celebrated his dedication to protecting the region. Vice President Biden’s announcement comes amidst increasing calls for the Trump Administration to stop the Pebble Mine from sportsmen, tribes, commercial fishermen, and celebrities across the nation – including Donald Trump Jr.
Today the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee sent a letter to the Department of Defense’s Inspector General requesting an investigation of the Pebble Mine permitting process. The letter outlined serious concerns with the unprecedented timeline, disregard for scientific scrutiny of the assessment, and the millions spent by the Pebble Limited Partnership on lobbyists in D.C. to influence the agency’s conduct within the process.
Bristol Bay Tribes celebrated the news that the House of Representatives acted today to help stop the corrupt permitting process that is fast-tracking Pebble’s toxic proposal.
Technical experts and Bristol Bay leaders reiterated significant short-comings and gaps in Pebble’s Final Environmental Impact Statement, making it imperative that elected leaders step in to stop the permit from being issued to the Pebble Mine.
Technical experts and Bristol Bay leaders will provide their views of the recently released final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Pebble Mine on Monday, July 27, 2020 through a virtual press conference.
Today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released by mail a fundamentally-flawed final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Pebble Mine. The document ignores science and does nothing to address comments filed by tens of thousands of people who all know the truth: the proposed gold and copper mine will devastate Bristol Bay’s waters and its world-class fishery.
New analysis shows that the Pebble’s plan and environmental review does not adequately account for seismic risks at the proposed mine site, leaving the region’s fishery, communities and cultures exposed to significant devastation.