FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bristol Bay Tribes Urge EPA to End the Threat of Pebble Mine
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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Latest Report Showing Pebble’s Deceptions to Lawmakers & Public Emphasizes the Need for 404(c) Protections in Bristol Bay
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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: UTBB announces “Salmon Slate” endorsements for 2022 election
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.
BBDF Release: Bristol Bay Defense Fund Launches Ad Campaign Urging EPA to End the Threat and Veto Pebble Mine Now
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.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bristol Bay Tribes, Communities Once Again Urge EPA to Permanently Protect Bristol Bay This Year
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.
BBDF Press Release: On Alaska Wild Salmon Day, Bristol Bay Advocates Celebrate Record-Breaking Fishing Season; Urge EPA to Finalize Protections for Bristol Bay
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.
Bristol Bay Tribes emphasize need for permanent protections amidst record sockeye return
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.
More than 90 percent of Bristol Bay residents, fishermen, supporters urge EPA to finalize Clean Water Act protections at public hearings
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 call on EPA to finalize comprehensive protections this year
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 eager to see EPA working on permanent protections, look forward to seeing process finalized before the end of 2022
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.
BBDF Press Release: Tribes, Commercial Fishermen, Conservation Groups Respond to EPA’s Next Step Forward to Protect Bristol Bay
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.
BBDF Press Release: U.S. Representative Huffman, Bristol Bay Tribes, Commercial Fishermen, Conservation Groups Urge EPA to End the Threat of Pebble Mine Now
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.
BBDF Press Release: Tribes, Commercial Fishermen, Conservation Groups Respond to Record Salmon Projections for 2022 Bristol Bay Fishing Season
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.
UTBB welcomes new Deputy Director, Delores Larson
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.
BBDF Press Release: Bristol Bay Defense Fund Launches $100k Ad Campaign Urging EPA to Veto Pebble Mine and Finish the Job
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.
Joint Release with ABBA, BBAN: Advocates for Bristol Bay Announce New Efforts to Support Champions and Advance Dual Track Effort to Protect the Region
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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bristol Bay Tribes Express Disappointment at More EPA Delays, Lack of Tribal Consultation
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.
UTBB prepares to say farewell to Deputy Director, looking for applicants to fill position
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.