The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the public comments on its proposed action to block work in a controversial Alaskan pebble mine show overwhelming support for government action.
According to the EPA, about 77 percent of the 1.1 million total comments favored EPA action to prevent work in the Bristol Bay area mine, which critics argued could do vast damage the environment, including destroying up to 94 miles of salmon-spawning streams.
"Nearly all" of the comments opposing EPA action "came from a single organization backed by mining interests," the EPA wrote in its statement.
"The EPA confirms what we heard during both rounds of public comment periods for the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment — the people of Alaska and the American public overwhelmingly support EPA action to stop the Pebble Mine," said Tim Bristol, Alaska Program director for Trout Unlimited, an advocacy group for coldwater fisheries.
The EPA announced in February it was beginning work under the Clean Water Act to help preserve the salmon streams, which support a USD 1.5 billion (EUR ) commercial fishery and 14,000 jobs.
"We hope everyone who believes that Bristol Bay is worth protecting continues to stay engaged," said Nelli Williams, Trout Unlimited's Alaska program deputy director. "There will be opportunities to speak up and let the EPA and others know that Bristol Bay is unique and deserves protection."
