Biden Administration Aims to Protect Alaska's Bristol Bay With Latest Environmental Action Plan

On Thursday, the Biden administration took the initial steps toward safeguarding Alaska's pristine Bristol Bay, home to one of the world's most lucrative sockeye salmon fisheries and lies above enormous copper and gold resources long sought after by mining corporations.

The government has filed a suit in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska to overturn a Trump-era decision that removed environmental protections from Bristol Bay, roughly 200 miles southwest of Anchorage. If the court agrees, the government may start drafting long-term safeguards for the region.

In a statement, Mike Heatwole, a spokesperson for the Pebble Mine Partnership, said the business expects to track the E.P.A.'s activities to see how they affect the project and permitting process.

He stated, "As the Biden Administration pursues reduced carbon emissions for energy production, they should understand that such transformation would necessitate considerably greater mineral output, particularly copper." "The Pebble Project continues to be an essential domestic supply of the minerals required by the administration to meet its green energy objectives."

In a statement, E.P.A. Administrator Michael Regan said that if the court rules favor the Biden administration, the agency will set a timeline for beginning the Clean Water Act procedure to preserve Bristol Bay from development.

Mr. Regan stated, "What's at risk is preventing pollution that would disproportionately affect Alaska Natives and safeguarding a healthy future for North America's most productive salmon fishery."

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