ANCHORAGE, Alaska — January 21, 2014 — The following was released by Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay:
Commercial fishermen from across Alaska and the United States are extremely thankful for Alaska Senator Mark Begich’s leadership in protecting the jobs and salmon resources of the Bristol Bay region by opposing the Pebble Mine. After examining the science in the EPA’s final Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment, Sen. Begich called the Pebble Mine the "Wrong mine, wrong place, too big… Too many potential long-term impacts to a fishery that is pretty critical to that area but also to Alaska, to world markets."
Bob Waldrop, Executive Director for the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, made the following statement regarding Sen. Begich’s announcement:
“Senator Begich is standing up for the commercial fishery of Bristol Bay. He deserves our thanks and praise for opposing a project that eradicates up to 94 miles of salmon streams. He has clearly listened to the concerns of commercial fishermen and carefully reviewed the EPA’s extensive scientific report in coming to this critical decision. As the EPA’s Watershed Assessment confirmed, the Pebble Mine alone could destroy the 14,000 jobs and $1.5 billion economy associated with Bristol Bay’s commercial fishery. By opposing the Pebble Mine, Senator Begich is standing up for Alaskan jobs and protecting a way of life for fishermen across Alaska."