JUNEAU, Alaska — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing restrictions that would essentially block development of a planned massive gold-and-copper mine near the headwaters of a premier salmon fishery in Alaska.

The announcement Friday came as the EPA was being sued by Pebble Limited Partnership, the group behind the proposed Pebble Mine, and the state of Alaska for allegedly exceeding its authority. 

The state and Pebble Partnership, which was created to design, permit and run the mine, argue the EPA should not be able to veto the project before a mine plan is finalized and evaluated through the permitting process. Pebble has asked that a judge block the EPA from taking any additional steps, but no ruling has been made.

EPA regional administrator Dennis McLerran said the science is clear “that mining the Pebble deposit would cause irreversible damage to one of the world’s last intact salmon ecosystems. Bristol Bay’s exceptional fisheries deserve exceptional protection.”

Read the full story at the Seattle Times>>

Want to read more about Pebble Mine? Click here...