Opinion: Alaska Natives seek an extension on EPA assessment

Wednesday, August 8, 2012  

"While nine tribal groups and one regional corporation invited the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate an unprecedented 404c process that resulted in a hastily published draft watershed assessment in Bristol Bay, seven of the twelve Alaska Native Regional Corporations, sixteen tribal groups and village corporations, and hundreds of individuals — primarily Alaska Natives — have called upon the EPA to extend the public comment period so that their members and shareholders may have sufficient time to review the document and provide meaningful input into this process.

Many made this request after the EPA had indicated it would not extend the public comment window and have started to weigh in as they learn more about what is at stake.

The organizations have not taken formal positions about the proposed Pebble Mine Project yet have expressed concerns about the EPA's activities in Southwest Alaska due to the far reaching precedent it could have on future development activities on Native and village corporation land."

Get the Story:
Lisa Reimers and Trefon Angasan:: Alaska Native groups want EPA to extend Bristol Bay watershed public comment (The Alaska Dispatch 8/7)

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