EPA's Bristol Bay study a good start

In August 2010, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson stood in the same gym where we grew up, winning and losing basketball tournaments, celebrating graduations, and gathering to discuss important issues in our communities. Jackson heard a unanimous message from our region that day: “Use your power under the Clean Water Act to protect Bristol Bay, our fishery, our water, our people.”

Six months later, Jackson and her agency proved that they’ve heard our message loud and clear. By announcing this week they will conduct a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed, the EPA has taken a first step in responding to the formal request made by Bristol Bay tribes, commercial fishermen, sportsmen, and residents, to initiate a 404(c) process to identify and deny, “…potential unacceptable adverse affects from large-scale development, on the Bristol Bay watershed.”

As happy as we would have been with an immediate action by the EPA to stop Pebble Mine, we are very encouraged by the approach the agency has taken. The EPA views Bristol Bay as important enough to gather all the information necessary to make a smart, informed decision — a decision that will be fact-based, and impossible to refute.

Speaking to the Alaska Forum on the Environment the day after the agency’s announcement, EPA’s Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran affirmed what we as Bristol Bay residents live everyday: “The Bristol Bay watershed is essential to the health, environment and economy of Alaska.”

He made it clear they have not initiated a 404(c) process in Bristol Bay but instead, the assessment now under way will collect information necessary to guide the decision the EPA makes in the future.

Sen. Mark Begich responded to the EPA’s action saying, “Bristol Bay is one of Alaska’s most valuable resources and any proposed development within its watershed deserves no less than a rigorous review.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski also initially commended the EPA’s decision to assess potential impacts of mining and other development projects on the Bristol Bay watershed. Murkowski has now issued a more recent statement requesting that the EPA commit, prior to the outcome of this study she supports, to refrain from using its 404(c) authority; leaving us confused of her commitment to this scientific assessment process.

The only person who seems to have a problem with the government taking an interest in gathering a non-biased, science-based assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed was Pebble Limited Partnership CEO John Shively. Shively responded predictably with the PLP’s standard lines of “wait and see,” and “it is too early for EPA to examine Pebble, we have not submitted a final mine plan.” This rhetoric is even less convincing now then it was six years ago, the first time PLP said it was months away from submitting permits. Even when we fishermen don’t know how many fish are coming back each season, or which channel they are going to run up, we don’t wait until they are crossing the south line to hang our nets, or have our boats prepared. Thankfully the EPA is taking the same approach. Who can argue against being prepared and using good science to drive a decision as important as this? Who other than John Shively?

The bottom line: EPA’s decision assures those of us who live and work in Bristol Bay that any decision they make in the future will be based on hard science and facts. We haven’t come to our position on Pebble and other destructive development proposals lightly, and neither should the EPA.

As young women who were born, raised, and make Bristol Bay our home, we welcome EPA’s decision to take a long hard look at the compatibility of future development projects in our region. We’re confident their assessment will find what our great region has instilled in its young people for centuries: Bristol Bay has provided for the generations before us and will continue to provide for the generations to come as long as we respect, and protect it. Our generation is dedicated to a sustainable Bristol Bay and we’re up for the challenge of moving forward without risking our communities, cultures, and livelihoods.

• Hurley and Carscallen are lifelong residents of Bristol Bay, and commercial fishermen. Hurley is a Yup’ik indigenous rights activist, and currently the Outreach Coordinator for Nunamta Aulukestai (Caretakers of the Land.) Carscallen works with the Alaska Program of Trout Unlimited on protecting Bristol Bay fisheries.