Pebble Limited Partnership has filed an appeal with the Army Corps of Engineers, asking the agency to reconsider its application to build an open-pit gold mine upstream from Bristol Bay.
In November, the Army Corps rejected the application, saying the mine would not comply with the Clean Water Act. The mine would be built on state land, but would include dredging and filling in federal waters and wetlands, which requires a permit from the Corps.
Pebble Chairman and CEO John Shively said the decision was rushed, coming just days after the company submitted the final document — its plan to compensate for damage to the area.
Mine opponents say the project is a threat to important salmon spawning streams and could ruin the region’s sport and commercial fisheries.
Two weeks ago, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced the state would also appeal the permit rejection. Dunleavy said the decision endangers the state’s right to develop its own resources.
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
