RE:Pebble Mine would have no measurable impact on fisheriesIncorrect:
https://www.epa.gov/bristolbay/final-determination-pebble-deposit-area EPA’s Final Determination
EPA has determined that the large-scale loss of, and damage to, headwater streams, wetlands, and other aquatic resources that support salmon populations in the SFK, NFK, and UTC watersheds from the discharge of dredged or fill material for the construction and routine operation of the 2020 Mine Plan described in Pebble Limited Partnership’s June 8, 2020, Clean Water Act Section 404 permit application, as well as future proposals that would have the same, similar, or greater levels of aquatic resource loss or damage will have unacceptable adverse effects on anadromous fishery areas in the these watersheds.
Discharges of dredged or fill material to construct and operate the proposed mine site alone would result in the permanent loss of approximately:
- 8.5 miles (13.7 km) of anadromous fish streams.
- 91 miles (147 km) of additional streams that support anadromous fish streams.
- 2,108 acres (8.5 km2) of wetlands and other waters in the SFK and NFK watersheds that support anadromous fish streams.
These discharges would also result in streamflow alterations that would adversely affect approximately 29 miles (46.7 km) of additional anadromous fish streams downstream of the mine site due to greater than 20 percent changes in average monthly streamflow.
The aquatic resources that would be lost or damaged play an important role in supporting salmon populations in the SFK, NFK, and UTC watersheds.