EPA Makes Way For Controversial Bristol Bay Alaskan Mine Project

"U.S. EPA [Friday] cleared a path for the Pebble mine to begin the permitting process, promising to scrap the Obama administration's proposed restrictions on the southwestern Alaska project.

The agency and Pebble LP, a subsidiary of Canadian mining company Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., said this morning they notified the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska they have reached a settlement.

Parties have yet to file their settlement, but EPA said today it will start working to withdraw the proposed restrictions on large-scale mining within the salmon-rich Bristol Bay watershed.

The Obama EPA proposed the limits in 2014, but Pebble launched a litigation war against the agency, and a judge soon put agency action on hold."

Dylan Brown reports for Greenwire May 12, 2017.