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.

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.