Watershed assessment comments, transcripts available from EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made available public comments submitted on its draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment. More than 208,000 individuals from within and outside the United States submitted comments. The majority of comments consisted of duplicate letters sent by individuals in mass mailing campaigns organized by advocacy groups. EPA also received 3,657 individual comments, as well as oral testimony taken during public hearings.
Each comment is available in PDF format; a list of all comments can be downloaded in spreadsheet format.
Comments from individuals who spoke at public hearings in June 2012 are included in transcripts from each meeting.
Additional transcripts from five other public hearings in Alaska are still being processed by the EPA and will be available online at a later date.
Next steps: The EPA Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment peer review panel will be meeting in Anchorage from August 7-9. Individuals who signed up in advance may attend and make comments on August 7 and may observe proceedings on August 8. Meetings are closed to the public on August 9.
Need more info? Visit EPA’s Bristol Bay website.