The Trump administration on Wednesday rejected plans for a controversial Alaska open-pit mining project that, if passed, could have threatened a thriving ecosystem for wild sockeye salmon.
The rejection, issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers, came after weeks of verbiage from the Trump administration. Republicans, generally in favor of national mining projects, had been widely divided over plans for the copper-gold mine, especially after the bands leaked over the summer featuring Tom Collier, CEO of Pebble Limited Partnership , bragging about his plans to influence Alaskan politicians to pass the bill.
The recordings helped cement opposition from Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), along with other prominent dissidents including Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson and the president’s own son , Donald Trump Jr.
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In an official 29-page decision report released Wednesday, the Corps wrote that “the benefits of the proposed removal and modification of wetlands, waterways and [Corps] jurisdiction does not exceed the damages that would be caused by such deletions and modifications, based on the information contained in the [final environmental impact statement], the extensive public comments received and the analysis of the public interest review factors.
The move was applauded by environmental groups and Democrats, who, along with President-elect Joe Biden, had long opposed the construction of the mine.
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“I am pleased that the Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers did the right thing in rejecting a Clean Water Act permit for the Pebble Mine project in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska,” said Senator Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) in a statement. “I understand the important role that mining plays in our economy, but the final environmental impact study of the project did not come close enough to ensure that this world-class sockeye salmon fishery, which generates 1 , $ 5 billion each year and supports 14,000 jobs would be protected. “
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