FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2014
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to initiate the process outlined in section 404 (c) of the Clean Water Act in regards to protecting the Bristol Bay area and its fisheries from potential damage caused by development of the Pebble Mine.
“Having the EPA come in to do the state’s work to protect our fishing streams was not my first choice. But the governor refused to take the action to stand up for Alaskans in Bristol Bay, and the majority of Alaskans who value our fishing waters. Were I in his place, I would not have sided with foreign mine owners who seek to jeopardize the world’s greatest wild salmon and trout waters,” said Gara. “The mines Alaska has in place now are responsible. This one poses too great a risk to our fishing heritage and fishing economy, and the governor should have acted.”
###
