Archives: Articles - Page 5

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July 2020

Wondering what will be in the Joint Record of Decision, the next step in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pebble permitting process? This template helps the Corps develop the ROD. In addition to the final Environmental Impact Statement, the Corps needs to address how the project would comply with laws, regulations and executive orders … Continued

11

July 2020

Coast Guard requests public comment on proposed Newhalen Bridge by August 5

General Post

The Coast Guard will make a decision soon regarding the Pebble project’s request to build a bridge over the Newhalen River as part of its transportation corridor. In a public notice released July 6, the Coast Guard explained that its decision “to grant approval of the location and plans for the proposed project rests primarily … Continued

29

May 2020

Pebble ditches ferry route; northern road is now the preferred transportation corridor

General Post

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed in a media advisory last week that it has made a preliminary decision on a Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) for the Pebble project. That LEDPA hasn’t been entirely spelled out to the public, but major components mirror those evaluated under “Alternative 3 – North Road Only.” This LEDPA excludes … Continued

29

May 2020

EPA will not formally elevate decision-making on Pebble project permit

General Post

Today was the deadline for the EPA to submit an elevation letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of an established dispute resolution process between the two agencies. The EPA had been critical of the Corps’ Draft EIS and the two agencies have been meeting regularly to address those. In a letter to the … Continued

21

May 2020

What do you know about Iliamna Lake seals?

General Post

From ice to isotopes, our new fact sheet provides an overview of a rare population of harbor seals that make their home year-round on Alaska’s largest lake. Iliamna Lake Harbor Seal Fact Sheet Quick read • There are about 400 Iliamna Lake seals. • They are the only freshwater harbor seal population in the United … Continued

6

May 2020

Alaska Department of Natural Resources: Keep Pebble moving forward

General Post

The State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which will decide on certain state permits for the Pebble project, has written the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urging it to keep moving ahead with the federal permitting process. Several Bristol Bay groups have asked the Corps to suspend the process during the COVID-19 pandemic. … Continued

3

April 2020

How could COVID-19 affect the Pebble project?

General Post

In a March 26 press release Northern Dynasty Minerals (NDM) said that efforts to gain permits for the Pebble mine prospect in Bristol Bay were moving forward despite the COVID-19 pandemic and precautions taken by the company to “ensure the health and safety of its employees, consultants, partners and Alaska neighbours.” However, financial statements filed … Continued

3

April 2020

Pebble is U.S. mining’s biggest spender in Washington D.C.

General Post

Who are Joel Jankowsky, Richard Pombo, Peter Robertson, and Alan L Mintz? They are just a few of the 25 lobbyists who represented the Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP) in Washington D.C. last year. Their firms collected $1.59 million to promote the proposed Pebble mine, making PLP the mining industry’s biggest spender in D.C. Agencies lobbied … Continued

7

March 2020

NEPA guidelines may be changing; public comment closing soon

General Post

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), under which the proposed Pebble mine is being reviewed, may be different if and when developers seek to expand the project in the future. The project currently in permitting outlines a 20-year lifespan. If permitted, Northern Dynasty Minerals (NDM) has acknowledged the possibility of future expansion. Both NDM and … Continued

23

January 2020

Pebble permitting process extended by 90 days

General Post

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined last month that it would need to extend the permitting timeline for the Pebble project by 90 days. A Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is due in late June/early July, with a Record of Decision following in Fall 2020. In November and December 2019 the Corps held six … Continued