E.P.A. delivers for public review outline scientific study of Bristol Bay Watershed

Report assesses potential impacts of mining activity in the area

(May 18, 2012-Seattle) The E.P.A. today released for public review a outline scientific study of the Bristol Bay watershed and its natural resources. EPA's report responds to growing interest in large-scale mining in the watershed from a number of stakeholders and local communities with a range of views and will lead to a better understanding of potential environmental impacts of these activities on the watershed. Under the Clean Water Act, E.P.A. has the authority and responsibility to protect the nation's water and perform scientific studies that enhance the agency's and the public's knowledge of water resources. EPA's focus in the assessment is scientific and technical; the agency has made no judgments about the use of its regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act and the outline study in no way prejudges future consideration of suggested mining activities.

The report assesses the watershed's natural resources and the economic benefits associated with those resources, including the biggest undisturbed wild sockeye salmon run in the world. EPA's outline study does not provide an in-depth assessment of any specific mining project, but instead assesses the potential environmental impacts associated with mining activities at a scale and with the characteristics that are realistically anticipated, given the nature of mineral deposits in the watershed, the requirements for successful mining development, and publicly accessible information about potential mining activity. The report concludes that there is potential for certain activities associated with large-scale mining to have adverse impacts on the productivity and sustainability of the salmon fishery in the watershed. Potential impacts could include loss of habitat used for salmon spawning and rearing. The assessment, when finalized following the important public review and independent peer review, could help inform future decisions on any large-scale mining in Bristol Bay by both federal and non-federal decision-makers.

The outline assessment focused on the Nushagak and Kvichak watersheds, which produce up to half of all Bristol Bay salmon and are open to mining development under Alaska law.

Key findings in EPA's outline assessment include:

E.P.A. also examined the importance of Bristol Bay salmon in sustaining the traditional subsistence lifestyle of Alaska Native Villages in the watershed. The assessment includes detailed reports on Bristol Bay indigenous culture, wildlife and economics, as well as salmon and other fish.

E.P.A. will take public review on the outline assessment until July 23. The agency has also scheduled public meetings in Alaska in June and will host webinars for people interested in learning more about the assessment. E.P.A. is also submitting the outline assessment for independent scientific peer review. All of this information will help guide a final report. For information on public meetings and how to submit comments, visit our website: http://www.epa.gov/region10/bristolbay/.

For more information on EPA's Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment and to read the assessment, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region10/bristolbay/

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