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Senator Mark Begich Comes Out in Opposition to the Pebble Mine

Senator Mark Begich's office

Alaska’s Junior U.S. Senator has come out in opposition to the proposed Pebble Mine. Senator Mark Begich released a statement Monday noting that years of scientific study has proven the proposed Pebble Mine cannot be developed safely in the Bristol Bay Watershed. Begich claims the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment shows the Pebble Mine would likely threaten the largest and most lucrative salmon run in the world. He further claims the Pebble Mine is not worth the risk. Senator Begich’s change in position on the proposed Pebble Mine comes after last week’s release of the final version of the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment by the EPA. The Assessment outlined potential damage to the natural environment in the Bristol Bay region if a mine like the Pebble Mine were developed. The EPA will use the Assessment to guide its future decision making on the issue and that decision making process is apparently already underway.