Trump Administration Will Reportedly Back Army Corps’ Veto Of Pebble Mine Permit (Updating)

It appears that President Donald Trump’s administration will follow through with earlier suggestions that it would indeed back the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ rejection of permitting for the Pebble Mine project in Bristol Bay.

From the Wild Salmon Center:

The U.S. federal government is standing up for America’s greatest salmon fishery and against a foreign mining company. On July 17, the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice announced that it will defend both a 2020 decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject a key Pebble Mine permit and the Environmental Protection Agency’s subsequent decision to protect Alaska’s Bristol Bay from future versions of Pebble Mine under the Clean Water Act.

“President Trump stands with Alaskans and with fishing communities nationwide today,” says Wild Salmon Center President and CEO Guido Rahr. “We applaud this decision to protect America’s greatest salmon stronghold, a place that supports tens of thousands of American fishing jobs and is revered by sportsmen and women across the nation.”

Wild Salmon Center also joined SalmonState, Bristol Bay Forever and others also that released the following statement:

Trump Stands Firm: No Pebble Mine

In the midst of the fishing season, Bristol Bay businesses, fishermen, and Tribes celebrate the Trump Administration’s decision to defend America’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery from legal challenges by a foreign mining company.

(Dillingham, Alaska)—Bristol Bay, Alaska fishing communities today celebrated President Trump’s decision to defend Bristol Bay in court from lawsuits brought by foreign mining companies. The Trump Administration agreed to stand by a decision to stop the toxic Pebble Mine from being built in the headwaters of two of the Bristol Bay region’s most important rivers. This comes as the $2.2 billion salmon fishery is underway in Bristol Bay.

Tim Bristol, SalmonState Executive Director, said:  “We thank President Trump for defending this one of a kind natural resource from short term exploitation by foreign controlled interests.  Bristol Bay’s world class salmon runs generate upwards of $2.2 billion in economic activity, are a vital source of clean, nutritious food, and represent one of the great hunting and angling destinations on the planet. Simply put, Bristol Bay is the biggest and the best and it’s clear the President knows this based on his wise decision today.”

Nels Ure, Deputy Director of Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay echoed: “As the fishing season hits its peak production and thousands of fishermen and industry members work to bring wild salmon to markets across the country, we’re grateful that President Trump recognizes Bristol Bay as a regenerative economy and pillar of domestic seafood production. This announcement affirms what generations of Bristol Bay fishermen, Tribes, and residents have fought for: the right to a future built on clean water, wild salmon, and strong communities. We thank President Trump for recognizing that Bristol Bay’s fishery is more than an economy—it’s a way of life and livelihood that sustains thousands of American families every year.”

In November 2020, the Trump Administration denied Pebble Mine a key permit, after two years of exhaustive study by multiple federal agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency subsequently determined that the Pebble Mine site was unfit for toxic waste storage. Both of those decisions are being challenged in court by Northern Dynasty, a Canadian company that’s behind the Pebble project.

Trump’s decision is supported by sound science and backed by strong public opinion – 63% of Alaskans are against mining in Bristol Bay. More than 4 million public comments have been submitted by Americans in support of Bristol Bay protections, since they were first proposed more than a decade ago.

Brian Kraft, owner and operator of Alaska Sportsmans and Bristol Bay Lodges, said: “As a business owner who depends on Bristol Bay’s incredible fishery for his livelihood, I want to give President Trump my heartfelt thanks for upholding protections for one of America’s most incredible and valuable natural landscapes. It’s clear President Trump recognizes that the Bristol Bay salmon runs are the envy of the world: the pinnacle of sportfishing for anglers, a massive job producer and a key piece of our natural heritage that makes America Great. Today’s announcement took courage, leadership, and vision.  We are extremely grateful.”

Wild Salmon Center CEO Guido Rahr said: “President Trump stands with Alaskan fishermen and with fishing communities nationwide today. We applaud this decision to protect America’s greatest salmon stronghold, a place that supports tens of thousands of American fishing jobs and is revered by sportsmen and women across the nation.  We need to take care of our wild places and public lands heritage, for us and for future generations. President Trump has shown major leadership on this issue today.”

Bristol Bay is the most prolific salmon run on Earth, averaging 40 million returning sockeye salmon every year. It supports 15,000 fishing jobs and another 7,000 sport fishing and hunting jobs annually.

Over the years, the strength of the Bristol Bay ecosystem and its fishing economy have led a succession of prominent Alaska leaders, from the late Senator Ted Stevens to current Senator Dan Sullivan, to speak out against the mine.

With the U.S. Justice Department and Bristol Bay communities and organizations united behind these policy decisions to defend Bristol Bay, the case now proceeds in federal court.

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Bristol Bay Forever is a coalition of business, Tribal, nonprofit, and community organizations dedicated to securing lasting protections for Bristol Bay. More at bristolbayforever.org

UPDATE: Here’s some more reaction courtesy of Trout Unlimited’s Alaska director Nelli Williams and longtime Bristol Bay protection advocate Nanci Morris-Lyon of Bear Trail Lodge:

Nelli Williams, Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Director

“We’re glad the Administration has rejected Pebble Limited Partnership’s settlement proposal and is moving forward with this case. It’s past time to put this ill-conceived project in the rear-view mirror. Both the permit denial and the EPA’s decision to safeguard Bristol Bay’s $2.2 billion powerhouse fishery and 15,000 American jobs are supported by a robust record, tens of thousands of hunters and anglers and the majority of Americans.”

Nanci Morris-Lyon, owner of Bear Trail Lodge

“Today’s news is another step forward in the twenty-year struggle to prevent the proposed Pebble Mine from permanently destroying extensive salmon habitat in Bristol Bay. A foreign owned mine, that is staunchly opposed by the majority of Americans, has no place in the headwaters of our state’s most prolific wild salmon fishery. Northern Dynasty Minerals continues to drag out their widely rejected mine plan at the expense of Bristol Bay’s businesses and people, who rely on this $2.2 billion fishery and the 15,000 jobs it supports. I’m grateful to see the Trump Administration rejecting a settlement agreement with them.” 

At the same time, Pebble Mine’s parent company, Northern Dynasty Minerals, is experiencing plunging stock prices.