Pebble Project Moves Beyond EIS Comment Period
After one of the most contentious public comment period perhaps ever in Alaska, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has ended public comment on the Pebble Project. The comment period for the Draft EIS for the Pebble Project closed on July 1. As of this writing, the USACE has received over 100,000 com- ments. The USACE will now begin the process of evaluating and review- ing all the comments. AMA issued five pages of technical comments in support of Alternative 1, the project proposal, and providing information about the excellent environmental track record of Alaska’s mines under the State’s regulatory regime.
Each substantive comment - those that focused on issues identified in the DEIS - will receive a response as the USACE prepares the Final EIS for the project. The Pebble Project is continuing to respond to Requests for Information from the USACE and its third-party contractor, AECOM, according to Pebble’s Mike Heatwole. The Pebble team is also in the process of reviewing the public comments. Some of the key takeaways from the DEIS include the project will not harm the Bristol Bay fishery, the project will create substantial economic benefits - especially for the communities closest to the project, and the project can co-exist with the Bristol Bay fishery as evidenced by Alaska’s experience with resource development and fisheries. It is further worth noting that Pebble could be an important source of copper - a mineral necessary for a green energy future. The Pebble team is also focused on its summer work program. The company is undertaking wetlands mapping and cultural field surveys to support the permitting process primarily along the proposed transpor- tation corridor. The company will be drilling 12 holes to facilitate further refining the groundwater model for the prospect. There will also be some routing maintenance work for legacy drill holes at the Pebble site.
PLP workers near the project campsite. Photo courtesy PLP.
Choose from the Largest Inventory of Pipe and Steel in Alaska
Authorized Dura Tuff Grouser Bar Distributors #6-#10 Grouser in Stock 907•456•8386 crpipeandsteel.com
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I August 2019
7
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease