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Opportunity for Alaskans

Protecting fish, effectively managing water, and being good environmental stewards guide every engineering and planning decision for the developing the Pebble Deposit. 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), published in July 2020, demonstrates that the Deposit, located on state land, can be responsibly developed meeting strict federal regulatory standards including those related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The investment represents a significant economic benefit for all Alaskans and the state.

 

What does the EIS Say?

Fisheries:

The impact to the Portfolio Effect would not be discernable, with no measurable change in the number of returning salmon, nor a change in genetic diversity. (EIS 4.24.41) 

Economy:

The project would provide long-term beneficial impacts to the economy from employment and income in the region and state. (4.3-10)

Revenue:

Construction: $25 million annual state taxes. Operations: $84 million annual state taxes and royalty. Operations: $27 million annual severances taxes LPB. (ES 47-48)

Healthy Fisheries

According to the EIS, there would be no measurable change in the number of returning salmon and the historical relationship between ex-vessel values and wholesale values. In addition, there would be no changes to wholesale values or processor operations expected and, under normal operations, no measurable long-term changes to the health of the commercial fisheries in Bristol Bay. (ES 87)

  • Not connected to the Togiak, Ugashik, Naknek, and Egegik watersheds (Table 4.6-1)

  • Not expected to affect the Cook Inlet commercial fisheries (4.6-4)

Socioeconomic Benefits

Communities near the mine site and ferry/port terminals would likely see a beneficial impact of higher employment rates, especially the communities of Newhalen, Iliamna, Nondalton, and Kokhanok (4.3-2),

  • Reduction in seasonal employment fluctuations prevalent in the region. (4.3-5)

  • Increased indirect employment opportunities, e.g., air services, goods, and supplies. (4.3-5) 

Subsistence

Overall, impacts to fish and wildlife would not be expected to impact harvest levels. Resources would continue to be available because no population-level decrease in resources would be anticipated. (ES 51)  

Tailings 

The Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) designed for the Project is unique and distinct in that the bulk TSF embankments will be constructed using downstream and centerline methods. (Ref. KF.27-3) This design minimizes surface water storage above the tailings and promotes unsaturated or dryer conditions in the bulk tailing. (Ref K4.27-4)

  • The design separates bulk tailings and pyritic tailings (K4.27-5)

  • Design minimizes the volume of water tailings requiring subaqueous storage (K4.27-4)

  • Stability and immediate reduction of risk with removal of operational pond at closure (K4.27-10)

2020 Milestones

In July of 2020, the USACE published a final Environmental Impact Statement for the project and a record of decision. These documents incorporated substantive public and agency comments and concluded the federal permitting review of our plan. Should Pebble secure federal approvals, the process of navigating the state permitting process will begin.

Permitting Next Steps

Other federal permitting actions on the horizon include the U.S. Coast Guard permits for bridge construction, biological assessment consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, and the completion of the pipeline right-of-way from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.