Judge Temporarily Halts EPA’s 404(c) Process on Pebble Mine

It ain't over till the fat lady sings........

U.S. District Court Judge H. Russel Holland issued a preliminary injunction Monday, temporarily halting the EPA’s 404(c) process regarding the Pebble Mine.

LINK (via: Alaska Public Media)

EPA's proposed restrictions are arbitrary and unsupported in law, policy, precedent and science

If you're interested you can read the Northern Dynasty's submissions to the EPA pursuant to Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act, Pebble Deposit Area, Southwest Alaska.

LINK

Parnell Tried to Find Funding for Pebble Mine

This recently leaked video reveals that Alaska Governor Sean Parnell tried to find a funder for Pebble Mine after Anglo-American pulled out of the project. This is just the latest revelation of Parnell’s longstanding efforts to build Pebble mine over the objection of Alaskans.

LINK (via: Alaska Democrats)

Comment Period Closed for EPA's Proposed Determination for the Pebble Deposit

So now what?

According to the Clean Water Act Section 404(c) regulations, the Regional Administrator must either withdraw the Proposed Determination or prepare a Recommended Determination within 30 days after the conclusion of the public hearings (but not before the end of the public comment period).

EPA believes that more time is necessary to adequately review and consider the many thousands of comments  received. In order to allow full consideration of the extensive administrative record, including public comments, they are extending the time period to withdraw the Proposed Determination or to prepare the Recommended Determination until no later than February 4, 2015.

Pebble paid Renewable Resources Coalition a substantial sum to settle the matter

Photo:2br8stok

Pebble is certainly keeping the lawyers busy.

The "Renewable Resources Coalition and Pebble Limited Partnership have today announced a settlement of their litigation pending in Los Angeles. In that litigation, Renewable Resources Coalition alleged that Pebble had unlawfully purchased its confidential records and information from its former fundraiser and used that information as the basis of a publicity campaign and in legal proceedings against RRC. As part of the settlement, Pebble apologized to Renewable Resources Coalition. In addition, given the circumstances of the current status of the litigation, Pebble paid Renewable Resources Coalition a substantial sum to settle the matter."

LINK (via: Alaska Dispatch News)

Bristol Bay Proposed Determination Informational Webinars

EPA Region 10 invites you to a webinar providing a brief overview of the Clean Water Act Section 404(c) Proposed Determination for the Pebble Deposit Area, Southwest Alaska.

The presentation will be offered twice:  

September 9, 2014 3:00 – 4:00 PM PST  

September 10, 2014  9:00 – 10:00 AM PST

Click on this link to join the webinar.

There are two weeks left to submit your comments to EPA Region 10. The public comment period on the Proposed Determination is open until September 19, 2014.