US EPA proposes mining waste disposal ban in Bristol Bay
Published by Joe Toft,
Editorial Assistant
Global Mining Review,
EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller, said:
“EPA Region 10’s action represents the third step in EPA’s four-step Clean Water Act Section 404(c) review process.”
“If affirmed by EPA’s Office of Water, this action would help protect salmon fishery areas that support world-class commercial and recreational fisheries and that have sustained Alaska’s native communities for thousands of years, supporting a subsistence-based way of life for one of the last intact wild salmon-based cultures in the world.”
The recommended determination proposes to prohibit the specification of certain waters of the United States in the South Fork Koktuli River and North Fork Koktuli River watersheds as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material for the construction and routine operation of the mine plan described in Pebble Limited partnership’s 8 June 2020 CWA Section 404 Permit application, as well as future proposals to construct and operate a mine to develop the Pebble deposit that would result in the same or greater levels of loss or change to aquatic resources.
The recommended determination also proposes to restrict the use of certain waters of the United States in the South Fork Koktuli River, North Fork Koktuli River, and Upper Talarik Creek watersheds as disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material associated with future proposals to develop the Pebble deposit that would result in adverse effects similar or greater in nature and magnitude to those associated with the 2020 mine plan.
EPA’s Office of Water will now review the recommended determination and the administrative record supporting Region 10’s decision, as well as any information provided by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the owners of record, and the applicant about their intent to take corrective action to prevent unacceptable adverse effects, before issuing a final determination affirming, modifying, or rescinding the recommended determination.
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/environment-sustainability/02122022/us-epa-proposes-mining-waste-disposal-ban-in-bristol-bay/
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