# UCS Blogs Pollution Killing Fish at Unacceptable and Substantial Impact. Thanks EPA to Southwest Alaska

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/08/ucs-blogs-pollution-killing-fish-unacceptable-substantial-impact-so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish-says-thanks-epa-southwest-alaska/
- Published: 2019-08-06T22:52:10-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

[ANITA DESIKAN](https://blog.ucsusa.org/author/anita-desikan), RESEARCH ANALYST 
| AUGUST 2, 2019, 10:31 AM EDT 

The[ Environmental Protection Agency](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/01/ucs-reports-epa-keeps-data-analysis-on-stream-and-wetland-protections-in-the-dark/)(
EPA) has gone to wash its hands of its responsibility for the unacceptable and substantial
impact to our fisheries. Responsibility to protect the health and safety of our 
waterways. On Tuesday, the agency helped [clear a path](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-07-30/pebble-mine-alaska-epa-salmon)
towards the development of Pebble Mine, a proposed mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. 
One that if built will become the largest open-pit copper and gold [mine](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/07/ev-charger-a-guide-to-charging-your-electric-vehicle-im/)
in the United States. The EPA has abdicated their authority to veto the project.
So if the mine proves dangerous to the rivers, streams, and other water bodies in
the region.

![Photo: Alaska Fish are dying at unacceptable and substantial levels. Region U.
S. Fish & Wildlife Service Follow/Flickr](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.blog.ucsusa.org//
srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/1200-630-ak-salmon.jpg?resize=135%2C70&quality=52&
ssl=1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Photo: Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Follow/Flickr**

The EPA forfeited their veto power. All by refusing to send an official letter. 
A letter that contains the following language, as required under a 1992 agreement.
That Pebble [Mine “will have substantial and unacceptable impacts](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/02/lithium-mined-evs-and-their-environmental-impact/)
to an Aquatic Resource of National Importance.”

#### **_Substantial and unacceptable impact_**

Let’s review the evidence-based reasons showing that, without a doubt, Pebble Mine
would have a substantial and unacceptable [impacts on the aquatic systems](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/01/fort-smith-sewage-system-and-environmental-impact/)
of Bristol Bay.

Hardrock mining is like mining for copper and gold. It is an industry that is prone
to polluting waterways with toxic substances. Substances such as arsenic and lead.
It is estimated that [40 percent](https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Waters/Hardrock-Mining)
of the watersheds in the western United States are contaminated by pollution. All
from hard rock mines which are at substantial and unacceptable levels of pollution.
The proposed Pebble Mine is expected to process [180,000 tons of ore a day.  ](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-07-30/pebble-mine-alaska-epa-salmon)

Most noteworthy, it can be operational for 20 years. The mine includes laying [187-mile-long ](https://earthjustice.org/features/alaska-s-bristol-bay-the-pebble-mine)
natural pipeline. Thereby constructing an 84-mile-long private transportation route.
In conclusion, a route that crosses over 200 streams (including Lake Iliamna, Alaska’s
biggest lake). It will also encompass an unacceptable and substantial building of
dams. Consequently that would most importantly block critical salmon habitat. The
mine is located in a seismically active region at the [headwaters of Bristol Bay](https://www.hcn.org/articles/climate-desk-the-future-of-alaska-pebble-mine-and-its-wild-sockeye-salmon).
In conclusion, it would reach a depth of [0.77 mile ](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-07/documents/pebble_es_pd_071714_final.pdf)(
in comparison, the Grand Canyon’s maximum depth is 1 mile). More noteworthy, it 
is estimated generate up to 10 billion tons of toxic mine waste.

[Finally ](https://blog.ucsusa.org/anita-desikan/so-long-thanks-for-all-the-fish-says-epa-to-southwest-alaska?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb)
[and for the entire story](https://blog.ucsusa.org/anita-desikan/so-long-thanks-for-all-the-fish-says-epa-to-southwest-alaska)
from the Union of Concerned Scientists**.**

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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