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The proposed Pebble Mine was Exhibit A at a hearing in the U.S. House Wednesday morning. The EPA took steps to block the Southwest Alaska mine even though Pebble Partnership hasn’t applied for permits yet. The Republican-led hearing was supposed to be a critical look at environmental regulation, but the focus shifted as lawmakers of both parties kept asking the same question: Why hasn’t Pebble filed for its permits yet?

Dillingham’s Kimberly Williams, director of an anti-mine group called Nunamta Aulukestai, says EPA did not act prematurely to block the mine. She says the threat of what the project might mean for Bristol Bay salmon and salmon prices has hung over the region’s economy for years.

“For us it has created some risk in our fishery. It has created anxiety,” she told the committee. “Why should I invest in the fishery? Why should my children invest in this fishery in Bristol Bay? Because there may be risks that come down.”

Pebble CEO Tom Collier told the House Resources Committee that his company has been treated unfairly. But several lawmakers said he could set the project on a more normal regulatory path by applying for environmental permits.

Read the full story at Alaska Public Media>>

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Jessica Hathaway is the former editor in chief of National Fisherman.

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