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The Pebble Partnership

Home
The Plan
Project Overview
Mining & Processing
Tailings Storage
Water Management
Transportation Route
Port Facilities
Power & Pipeline
Reclamation
The Facts
Dear Alaskans...
Where is Pebble?
How Big is It?
What About the Fish?
Are Tailings Toxic?
Okay... Earthquakes!
But the Science...
Who Benefits?
What are the Facts?
Final EIS
Current Status
Executive Summary
Table of Contents
Stay Engaged
All EIS Documents
Background
Our Commitment
Why We Mine
Green Technologies
Geography
People & Culture
Geology
The Environment
Economic Opportunity
News & Media
News Releases
Publications
Newsletters
Posters
Videos
Photos
Careers
Join the Pebble Team
Employment Booklet
Colleges & Universities
Apprenticeship Programs
Contact Us
GTI Tech Account
August 24, 2020

USACE Letter on Wetlands Part of the Normal Permitting Process

GTI Tech Account
August 24, 2020

Anchorage, AK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) sent a letter to the Pebble Partnership outlining their expectations for compensatory mitigation wetlands impacts associated with the project. The letter from the USACE has been anticipated by the Pebble Partnership as part of the ongoing discussions about the issue. PLP CEO Tom Collier issued the following statement about the letter and media reports about its contents over the weekend:

“The letter we received today is a normal letter in the permitting process and we are well into an effort to present a mitigation plan to the USACE that complies with the requirements of their letter. A clear reading of the letter shows it is entirely unrelated to recent tweets about Pebble and one-sided news shows. The White House had nothing to do with the letter nor is it the show-stopper described by several in the news media over the weekend.

“The letter does not ask for a delay or pause in the permitting process. In fact, it clearly states that the USACE is continuing its work toward a Record of Decision for the project. This is the next step in what has been a comprehensive, exhaustive two-and-a-half-year review of the project. Nothing in the letter is a surprise to us or them.

“The letter does not ask for “more” or “additional” mitigation. This is the first time the USACE has put its formal assessment regarding mitigation for the Pebble Project on the record. Thus, it is a “first” request, not a new or additional one and it is in line with what we anticipated.

“The USACE has identified the wetlands and stream impacts at the project mine site to include about 3000 acres of wetlands and about 100 miles of streams. The USACE has stated that the mitigation must be “in kind” and “in watershed.” In order to provide such mitigation Pebble intends to include in its CMP a plan to preserve enough land so that multiples of the number of impacted wetlands acres are preserved. Additional mitigation will also be provided for the transportation corridor.

“We have been working on the details of a plan with the USACE and the State of Alaska since earlier in the summer. We have had crews in the field near the site since the end of July conducting additional wetlands surveys to provide us with additional information to include in our plan.

“Once the draft LEDPA was determined, the USACE began to focus on its conclusions regarding mitigation needs. It is our understanding that these issues were reviewed with other agencies including EPA and USFWS. We were informed about 6 weeks ago of how the USACE was leaning regarding mitigation. We began at that time focusing on a preliminary plan. We built two temporary camps in the watershed housing a total of about 25 people. A number of teams from those camps have been mapping the wetlands in the region for about four weeks now.

“Based on our understanding of the substance of the letter, our discussions with the state, our substantial work in the field and our discussions with the USACE we believe our final Comprehensive Management Plan submission will be submitted within weeks and will satisfy all of the requirements of the letter.

“Anyone suggesting a different opinion—i.e. that Pebble will not be able to comply with the letter or that such compliance will significantly delay issuing a ROD—must be ignorant of the EXTENSIVE preparation we have undertaken in order to meet the requirements of the letter.

“We will share more details of our initial plan as they become more defined.”

Newer PostUSACE Alaska District Letter is Guiding Policy for Pebble — Seeks Mitigation Plan for ROD
Older PostPolitico Report That Trump Administration Will Block Project is Incorrect

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Pebble Limited Partnership

2525 Gambell Street, Suite 405
Anchorage AK 99503*
*Please note new address as of Aug. 11, 2021

Phone: (907) 339-2600
info@pebblepartnership.com

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