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In a statement, the Corps said it has determined that the mining company’s plan to process the massive amounts of rock and other fill material that would be displaced by the mine “does not comply with Clean Water Act guidelines and [ACE] concluded that the proposed project is contrary to the public interest. This action is based on all available facts and complies with applicable laws and regulations. It reflects a fair, flexible and balanced regulatory process. ”
In a statement, John Shively, CEO of Pebble Limited Partnership, the US subsidiary of Canadian mining company Northern Dynasty Minerals, said he was “appalled” by the government’s decision and pledged to appeal.
“Since the start of the Federal Review, our team has worked closely with USACE staff to understand their requirements for responsible project development, including changing the transportation corridor and reorganizing the wetland mitigation approach, ”Shively said in a statement. “It is very disconcerting to see the political influence in this process at the eleventh hour.”
The mining project has divided Republicans and Alaskan politicians normally in favor of expanding national mineral production. President Donald Trump has faced a campaign of public pressure from Republicans including mega-donor Andy Sabin, Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris, Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson and his eldest son Donald Trump Jr., to block the project.
Prospects for the mine deteriorated further over the summer with the release of secretly taped tapes featuring Pebble Limited Partnership CEO Tom Collier bragging about how he would influence politicians in the Alaska to ultimately support the project. These have prompted the senses. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) to assert their outright opposition to the projection after sending mixed signals so far.
The Corps’s official 29-page account of the decision concludes “the benefits of the proposed removal and modification of wetlands, streams and other waters in the [Corps] jurisdiction do not outweigh the inconvenience that would be caused by such eliminations and modifications, based on the information contained in the [final environmental impact statement], the extensive public comments received and the analysis of the public interest review factors. “
Environmental groups applauded the move.
“Amen to certainty for this cherished region, the tribes and community of Bristol Bay, and its wildlife and waters,” Joel Reynolds, senior counsel at the Natural Resources Advocacy Council, said in a statement. “This region has been plagued by uncertainty over its fate for a decade, and this ruling recognizes that there has never been a way to mitigate the damage Pebble Mine would do.
Reynolds called on the EPA to deny Pebble’s 404c permit application to “permanently protect” the watershed.
Democrats, many of whom have opposed the project for years, were quick to welcome the announcement.
“I am glad that the administration and the Army Corps of Engineers did the right thing in rejecting a Clean Water Act permit for the Pebble Mine project in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska,” said the Sen. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.), leading Democrat on the Energy Committee, in a statement. “I understand the important role mining plays in our economy, but the final environmental impact study of the project did not come close enough to ensure that this world-class sockeye salmon fishery, which generates $ 1.5 billion each year and supports 14,000 jobs, would be protected. “
Alaska’s only congressman, Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), said in a statement he was “disappointed” that the process did not allow sufficient contribution from Alaskans and blamed “outside extremists For the decision.
“The question now is how the federal government will compensate the state for the loss of economic potential,” Young said. “The proposed mine has always been subject to political intrigue and the whims of outsiders who simply do not understand our condition.”
Zack Colman contributed to this report
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