Mine developer sees review as positive for Alaska project

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The developer of a proposed copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major U.S. salmon fishery in southwest Alaska believes it's on track to win key federal approvals, with the release of an environmental review suggesting the Pebble Mine would not measurably affect fish numbers.

Critics called the review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inadequate. The review "is not the thorough, science-based assessment that we were promised,” Frances Leach, executive director of United Fishermen for Alaska, said in a news release.

A permitting decision is expected later this year. The corps said it will be a joint decision with the U.S. Coast Guard, whose authorization is needed for some proposed bridges. Authorization also is needed by the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

Should the mine advance, it would need state approvals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which under the Obama administration proposed restricting development of the project, could invoke that so-called veto process again if it deemed that necessary.

Pebble opponents, who believe the project got a lifeline under the Trump administration, also expect litigation if a permit is approved and say a change in administration could influence the project's trajectory.

If Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden wins in November, “we will find ourselves in a very different position relative to the Pebble Mine than we do today," said Joel Reynolds, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Biden was vice president during the Obama administration.

The Pebble Limited Partnership, which is owned by Canada-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. and working to advance the mine, saw as unfair the attempt to restrict development, which was never finalized and was dropped by EPA last year....