Coalition Letter Re: EPA’s Next Steps in its Preemptive 404c Veto of the Pebble Project

The undersigned organizations write to express our concerns with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10’s 2022 Proposed Determination to prohibit and restrict the use of certain waters within defined areas as disposal sites within the Pebble Deposit Area under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act (CWA).

We represent a large and diverse cross-section of America’s construction, home building, mining, manufacturing, and energy sectors, as well as the broader business community. Our members are vital to building a thriving national economy and are essential to achieving the Biden administration’s ambitious climate, infrastructure, supply chain, transportation, and energy goals. Our members create much needed and well-paying jobs in communities across the country, including in Tribal communities and communities with environmental justice concerns. Fair, consistent, and predictable permitting processes are essential for our members to conduct these activities. If finalized as proposed, EPA’s preemptive veto of the Pebble Project in Alaska will set harmful precedent and create significant regulatory uncertainty for the business community.

We therefore urge EPA to withdraw the proposed determination to allow the Pebble Project to move through the established regulatory process. We also offer the following comments…