Proposed Development in the Pebble Mining District near Lake Iliamna

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a draft watershed assessment in regards to the proposed development in the Pebble Mining District near Lake Iliamna. Pebble Mining District is on lands under the control of the State of Alaska. It is not on federal lands, no federal permits have been sought at this time, and there is no federal legislation pending that would affect the further exploration or development of the project.

Senator Murkowski understands the desires of many of the people who reside in the immediate area who wish to diversify the local economy by creating year-round employment opportunities. At the same time, the Senator is sensitive to the concern that development of the deposits may adversely affect the world-class renewable resources of the area, particularly the fisheries. The extensive permitting process to which major development projects are subjected will determine whether these two interests can be reconciled. Senator Murkowski wants the assurance, as do all Alaskans, that the environmental concerns of a major mine in this region are thoroughly addressed. The permitting process also ensures that no federal approvals will be issued until an Environmental Impact Statement is completed and the public has had an opportunity to voice their opinions about the project.

For those reasons, Senator Murkowski is opposed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) taking any action that would preemptively stop the Pebble project from even being allowed to make its case for development before completion of the environmental studies, much less before the mine unveils a firm mining plan. To that end, the Senator will continue to encourage the EPA to conduct a transparent and inclusive economic and scientific process to review all issues surrounding the mine, its potential effect on fisheries and its potential benefits to the regional economy as it looks at watershed impacts of development. Senator Murkowski continues to review the draft watershed assessment released in mid May and await the opportunity, following public comments and the peer review process, to assess the integrity and accuracy of the assessment and to make sure the assessment will not have unintended consequences on all development in the region. The Senator believes it is vital that not only the assessment, but any decision by EPA on the specific Pebble mine not simply become a check-the-box exercise, but a fair and credible process and thorough study of the science surrounding development issues.

Senator Murkowski encourages Alaskans to actively participate in both the public hearings in the initial watershed assessment process and in the full environmental impact, permitting review process that is likely to take place concerning the mine’s development.