Archives: Articles - Page 6

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April 2020

How could COVID-19 affect the Pebble project?

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

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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

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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

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December 2019

Who Produced the Draft EIS?

General Post

Last month the Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP) launched new advertising efforts to state its case that the federal permitting process is working as designed and that the Corps’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) “shows a clear path forward for permitting…” PLP’s full-page ad in the Anchorage Daily News, along with a 20-page direct mailer, also … Continued

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October 2019

EPA, the Corps, and where to go for dinner

General Post

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has been involved in discussion around the proposed Pebble mine for nearly a decade. Currently it is an official cooperating agency with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during a process to analyze whether to issue a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit to Pebble developers. During the permitting … Continued

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October 2019

Pro, con, and “waiting for the science”

General Post

As federal permitting for the Pebble project continues, so does media attention, including recent features in Science magazine, The Nation, and the TODAY Show. Locally, the project has been a source of hopes, fears and frustration for 15+ years. So where do Alaskans stand, and what do our legislators and state leaders have to say? From Bristol … Continued

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August 2019

EPA in Bristol Bay: timeline

General Post

EPA’s decision last week to revoke a Proposed Determination with recommendations for restricting large-scale mining at the Pebble deposit in Bristol Bay follows nearly a decade of related actions.

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August 2019

EPA withdraws Proposed Determination

General Post

In February 2014, the U.S. EPA released a Proposed Determination outlining restrictions it recommended for large-scale mining at the Pebble deposit area in Bristol Bay. It followed a multi-year study of Bristol Bay watersheds that EPA determined would be impacted by such development. The document was welcomed by those opposed to development of the Pebble … Continued

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June 2019

Comment Comparison

General Post

Wondering how the number of comments for the Draft EIS compares with other Pebble mine relevant documents that had public comment periods? We compared the number of comments received as of June 21 with those received for the EPA’s Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment (both drafts), its Proposed Determination and Proposal to Rescind the Proposed Determination. … Continued

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June 2019

Last Chance to Comment on DEIS for Pebble mine

General Post

Today Alaskans are celebrating summer solstice, when we have the most daylight of the year. While days are long, time is short to get your public comment in on the Pebble Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The deadline July 1 at midnight Alaska Time. What’s the big deal?If you are interested in the outcome of the … Continued