Spending bill amendment

by Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay

Amendment submitted to spending bill that would stop the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from using funds to complete a final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Pebble Mine.

Bristol Bay’s commercial fishermen, businesses, and communities received welcome news on Friday that U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman had submitted an amendment to a spending bill that would stop the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from using funds to complete a final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Pebble Mine. In response, Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay representatives applauded the California Congressman:

“As a lifelong Alaska fisherman who depends on Bristol Bay for my livelihood, I thank Representative Huffman for recognizing the national importance of Bristol Bay and the need to ensure that our federal agencies carefully consider the concerns of Bristol Bay’s fishermen and local residents before allowing this risky mining project to move forward,” said Alexus Kwachka, Captain of the F/V No Point. “It’s a relief to know that our concerns are being heard by Congress, especially as we get ready to go fishing. I hope that Alaska’s congressional delegation hears us too and speaks out for a more robust and science-based permitting process.”

“Not only does my family depend on Bristol Bay for our income, but thousands of my customers on the East Coast depend on it as a source of sustainable and traceable wild salmon,” said Steve Kurian, Captain of the F/V Ava Jane and CEO of Wild for Salmon and Pride of Bristol Bay. “The Army Corps’ permitting process for the Pebble Mine is rushed, inadequate, and leaves many questions unanswered. I’m grateful to Representative Huffman for making sure our federal government takes a serious look at the potential impacts and risks Pebble poses to Bristol Bay’s world-class fishery and our nation’s access to wild salmon.”

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game predicts a run of 40.2 million sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay this summer with 26.1 million sockeye potentially available for commercial harvest.