Press Releases

Today, after the announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that it is initiating a process under the Clean Water Act to protect the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery in Bristol Bay from the potentially destructive impacts of the proposed Pebble Mine, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement:

“As I have said all along, the EPA’s decision to take steps that will protect Bristol Bay from the incredibly destructive Pebble Mine is the right one and is good news for Washington state’s commercial fishing fleet and fishermen. The pristine salmon fishery in Bristol Bay is an economic engine for the Northwest, supporting $618 million in economic activity in Washington and Oregon. Today’s decision will protect thousands of jobs and an iconic resource that our region has benefited from for generations and will continue to enjoy for years to come.”

In January of 2014, DelBene along with nine other Northwest lawmakers sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy calling for the agency to take these steps to protect Bristol Bay. The letter can be viewed HERE.

For more information of the EPA’s announcement, click HERE.