Attorneys for a proposed large-scale mine near the headwaters of the Bristol Bay watershed have agreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to consider mediation to resolve litigation under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
While discovery and other preparations for court proceedings in the FACA litigation will continue, the joint notice filed in federal court in late October indicates the willingness of both parties to work toward a negotiated resolution to the current impasse, said Ron Thiessen, president and chief executive officer of Northern Dynasty Minerals, Ltd., in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Northern Dynasty’s wholly owned subsidiary, the Pebble Limited Partnership in Anchorage, is seeking to build the Pebble copper, gold and molybdenum mine.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 is the legal foundation defining how federal advisory committees operate. The law places special emphasis on open meetings, chartering, public involvement and reporting.
