Posts tagged restore
EPA moves to protect Bristol Bay fishery from Pebble Mine
Mar 7th
Release Date: 02/28/2014
Contact Information: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov
Agency action begins process to prevent damage to world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery
(Washington, D.C.—Feb. 28, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is initiating a process under the Clean Water Act to identify appropriate options to protect the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska from the potentially destructive impacts of the proposed Pebble Mine. The Pebble Mine has the potential to be one of the largest open pit copper mines ever developed and could threaten a salmon resource rare in its quality and productivity. During this process, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cannot approve a permit for the mine.
This action, requested by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, reflects the unique nature of the Bristol Bay watershed as one of the world’s last prolific wild salmon resources and the threat posed by the Pebble deposit, a mine unprecedented in scope and scale. It does not reflect an EPA policy change in mine permitting.
“Extensive scientific study has given us ample reason to believe that the Pebble Mine would likely have significant and irreversible negative impacts on the Bristol Bay watershed and its abundant salmon fisheries,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “It’s why EPA is taking this step forward in our effort to ensure protection for the world’s most productive salmon fishery from the risks it faces from what could be one of the largest open pit mines on earth. This process is not something the Agency does very often, but Bristol Bay is an extraordinary and unique resource.”
The EPA is basing its action on available information, including data collected as a part of the agency’s Bristol Bay ecological risk assessment and mine plans submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Today, Dennis McLerran, EPA Regional Administrator for EPA Region 10, sent letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Alaska, and the Pebble Partnership initiating action under EPA’s Clean Water Act Section 404(c) authorities.
“Bristol Bay is an extraordinary natural resource, home to some of the most abundant salmon producing rivers in the world. The area provides millions of dollars in jobs and food resources for Alaska Native Villages and commercial fishermen,” McLerran said. “The science EPA reviewed paints a clear picture: Large-scale copper mining of the Pebble deposit would likely result in significant and irreversible harm to the salmon and the people and industries that rely on them.”
Today’s action follows the January 2014 release of EPA’s “Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska,” a study that documents the significant ecological resources of the region and the potentially destructive impacts to salmon and other fish from potential large-scale copper mining of the Pebble Deposit. The assessment indicates that the proposed Pebble Mine would likely cause irreversible destruction of streams that support salmon and other important fish species, as well as extensive areas of wetlands, ponds and lakes.
In 2010, several Bristol Bay Alaska Native tribes requested that EPA take action under Clean Water Act Section 404(c) to protect the Bristol Bay watershed and salmon resources from development of the proposed Pebble Mine, a venture backed by Northern Dynasty Minerals. The Bristol Bay watershed is home to 31 Alaska Native Villages. Residents of the area depend on salmon as a major food resource and for their economic livelihood, with nearly all residents participating in subsistence fishing.
Bristol Bay produces nearly 50 percent of the world’s wild sockeye salmon with runs averaging 37.5 million fish each year. The salmon runs are highly productive due in large part to the exceptional water quality in streams and wetlands, which provide valuable salmon habitat.
The Bristol Bay ecosystem generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and provides employment for over 14,000 full and part-time workers. The region supports all five species of Pacific salmon found in North America: sockeye, coho, Chinook, chum, and pink. In addition, it is home to more than 20 other fish species, 190 bird species, and more than 40 terrestrial mammal species, including bears, moose, and caribou.
Based on information provided by The Pebble Partnership and Northern Dynasty Minerals, mining the Pebble deposit may involve excavation of a pit up to one mile deep and over 2.5 miles wide — the largest open pit ever constructed in North America. Disposal of mining waste may require construction of three or more massive earthen tailings dams as high as 650 feet. The Pebble deposit is located at the headwaters of Nushagak and Kvichak rivers, which produce about half of the sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay.
The objective of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. The Act emphasizes protecting uses of the nation’s waterways, including fishing.
The Clean Water Act generally requires a permit under Section 404 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before any person places dredge or fill material into wetlands, lakes and streams. Mining operations typically involve such activities and must obtain Clean Water Act Section 404 permits. Section 404 directs EPA to develop the environmental criteria the Army Corps uses to make permit decisions. It also authorizes EPA to prohibit or restrict fill activities if EPA determines such actions would have unacceptable adverse effects on fishery areas.
The steps in the Clean Water Act Section 404(c) review process are:
- Step 1 – Consultation period with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and owners of the site, initiated today.
- Step 2 – Publication of Proposed Determination, including proposed prohibitions or restrictions on mining the Pebble deposit, in Federal Register for public comment and one or more public hearings.
- Step 3 – Review of public comments and development of Recommended Determination by EPA Regional Administrator to Assistant Administrator for Water at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC.
- Step 4 – Second consultation period with the Army Corps and site owners and development of Final Determination by Assistant Administrator for Water, including any final prohibitions or restrictions on mining the Pebble deposit.
Based on input EPA receives during any one of these steps, the agency could decide that further review under Section 404(c) is not necessary.
Now that the 404(c) process has been initiated, the Army Corps cannot issue a permit for fill in wetlands or streams associated with mining the Pebble deposit until EPA completes the 404(c) review process.
EPA has received over 850,000 requests from citizens, tribes, Alaska Native corporations, commercial and sport fisherman, jewelry companies, seafood processors, restaurant owners, chefs, conservation organizations, members of the faith community, sport recreation business owners, elected officials and others asking EPA to take action to protect Bristol Bay.
7,000 B.C. homes are without heating gas
Dec 6th
To supplement our Colorado crews working to restore natural gas service to customers in Boulder County affected by this morning’s outage, we have called in additional Xcel Energy crews from around the state and from Minnesota and Wisconsin. We have also contacted utilities in California and New Mexico plus private companies too. With temperatures hovering in the single digits, we want to restart service as quickly and safely as possible. Approximately 7,000 homes are without service. We estimate 90 percent of customers will have service by noon tomorrow. Crews will work around-the-clock to restore service to customers.
We will call customers in advance to alert them that crews will be in their neighborhoods to relight pilots for natural gas appliances. It is important that we can reach you with this information. If you have not given us your cell phone number in the past, please call us at 1-800-895-4999 to provide your cell phone number or another alternate phone number.
To help our crews restore your service tonight, please turn on an outside light if you will be available to let them into your home. A person who is at least 18 years old must be at home to allow our crews access to your home. If not, we will need to return later. Please do not attempt to re-light natural gas appliances yourself. Not only can your appliances or equipment be damaged by improper re-lights but you can place yourself and your family in danger.
Our employees will check your appliances and re-light them for you free of charge. The American Red Cross opened a warming shelter for people affected by the natural gas outage. The center is located at Douglass Elementary School, 840 75th St. near 75th Street and Baseline Road.
Fast and Furious Buffs Comeback Overtakes Crimson, 70-62
Nov 24th
By B.G. Brooks, CUBuffs.com Contributing Editor
BOULDER – Long before Sunday, Tad Boyle had no doubt about the competitive makeup of his Colorado basketball team. When he left the Coors Events Center late Sunday afternoon, his belief had been underscored.
After trailing for almost 35 minutes, the Buffaloes shifted gears offensively and defensively – and, yes, mentally – and overtook previously unbeaten Harvard, 70-62, improving to 50-7 under Boyle at the CEC.
“Our team has fight in it, no doubt,” Boyle said. “Our guys found a way . . . we’ve got competitors in that locker room.”
Sunday’s second half proved it. Down by 14 points in the opening minute of the final 20, the Buffs (6-1) used a 14-0 run in the last 8:23 to catch and surpass the Crimson (4-1). Sophomore forward Xavier Johnson contributed back-to-back three-pointers in the run, with junior guard Spencer Dinwiddie adding a third and edging the CEC crowd of 9,770 close to delirium.
“The three threes got the crowd going,” Boyle said. “Our fans were terrific.”
The win was CU’s biggest in a six-game November home stand that saw Boyle’s four-year record in the month climb to 15-0.
“The thing that’s so satisfying is how we got it and the team we got it against,” Boyle said, citing Crimson coach Tommy Amaker “and what he’s done with the Harvard program . . . that’s a veteran, well-coached team.”
Dinwiddie’s 17 points topped four CU players in double figures and further reinforced Boyle’s opinion of his 6-6 point guard.
“He’s playing at a very high level,” Boyle said. “Spencer has a good feel for the game; he’s a very calming influence our on team. I trust him – but I trust all of our players.”
Dinwiddie had scoring help from guard Askia Booker and forward Josh Scott with 12 points each, while Johnson added 11. Harvard also had four players reach double figures, led by Kyle Casey’s 13.
It was the second-half board work – especially on the defensive end – of Scott and teammate Wesley Gordon, who grabbed a game-best 11 rebounds apiece, that made a large impression on Boyle in a highly physical game. CU out-rebounded the Ivy League visitors 46-29.
The 6-10 Scott picked up a couple of first-half fouls and was limited to 12 minutes on the court. In the second half, he said, he didn’t feel encumbered by fouls and was able to get a feel for the game.
“That’s not an excuse,” he said, “it’s just of kind of how it works out . . . I wasn’t scoring and I wasn’t exactly blocking shots so I figured I’d play defense and rebound. The shots came afterwards and I shot well from the free throw line (a team best six-of-eight).”
The Buffs also held the Crimson to 23.5 percent shooting from the field in the second half and limited them to one three-pointer after allowing six treys in the first half. CU led only once in the first half – 3-2 on Johnson’s three-pointer to open CU’s scoring – and trailed by 12 (42-30) at intermission. After that brief one-point Buffs lead, Harvard went on a 14-1 run that featured four treys and ended with the Crimson up 16-4.
That surge – in reality, the entire first half – amounted to a long-range replay that Boyle might have believed the Buffs wouldn’t allow. The Crimson didn’t arrive in Boulder with the reputation of a dangerous bunch beyond the arc; they had shot just 26.3 percent on three-point attempts in their four previous wins.
Apparently, the word on CU’s susceptibility to the long ball got out. Harvard’s season-high for made three-pointers was six against Holy Cross, but in Sunday’s first 4 minutes the Crimson had drained four and they finished the first 20 minutes tying their season high (six).
Meanwhile, those six treys also tied three other CU opponents for the most allowed in a first half this season. CU allowed 11 treys in Thursday night’s win over UC Santa Barbara. The Buffs’ six opponents had shot 38.2 percent from behind the arc, with two foes – Baylor, UT-Martin – at 40 percent or higher. Harvard finished the first half at 50 percent (6-of-12).
But the second half was lock down time for the Buffs. Boyle’s halftime message about his team’s perimeter defense: “Respect them as shooters . . . Harvard moves the ball quickly (and) you have to move on the pass. We didn’t do it (in the first half) but we did a better job in the second half.”
After Harvard took its first 12-point lead, CU closed to within three points twice (19-16, 21-18) before the visitors pulled away again and fashioned their 12-point advantage at intermission. The Crimson shot 53.6 percent from the field (15-of-28) while the Buffs were well back at 42.3 percent (11-of-26).
Maybe the half’s most telling stat: Harvard scored 12 points off nine CU turnovers. But the Buffs committed only six second-half errors, leading to seven Crimson points.
Harvard’s Steve Moundou-Missi opened the second-half scoring with an inside basket, putting CU down 44-30, with that 14-point deficit matching the Buffs’ largest this season (first time vs. Baylor in the season-opening loss).
It might have jarred the Buffs awake. Over the next 31/2 minutes, they outscored the Crimson 9-0 to pull to within 44-39 on a layup Booker with 15:45 to play. The Buffs crept to within five again (46-41) on a short, falling-to-the-floor jumper by Xavier Talton, but three consecutive CU turnovers helped Harvard restore a 50-41 lead and prompted a timeout by Boyle.
“We were down nine, 50-41, and I said, ‘Guys, we don’t have a nine-point play. We have to get stops,” Boyle said. The Buffs did, getting stops on five Crimson possessions and creeping to within four points on two occasions (50-46, 52-48) before Dinwiddie hit a baseline runner with the shot clock winding down and brought the Buffs to within 52-50.
On Harvard’s next possession, a rejection by Scott gave CU a chance to go ahead – and the Buffs took advantage on an “XJ” triple with exactly 5 minutes left. When he hit from the right wing, the Buffs had their first lead (53-52) since his trey opened their scoring.
And he wasn’t finished. With Scott controlling the boards on the other end, CU moved back downcourt and Johnson drilled another three from the right corner.
“Pretty much it’s all just the game plan,” Johnson said. “Coach Boyle lays (it) out for us and I was able to hit the open shot. We had great ball movement, we played inside out and I was able to be open for the jump shot.”
The Buffs were up 56-52, and Dinwiddie was about to get into the act. His straight-away triple pushed CU ahead 59-52, and Scott followed with one of two free throws for a 60-52 advantage with 3:27 remaining and completed the Buffs’ 14-0 run.
During that stretch, said Scott, the Crimson players were drawing ragged breaths: “Breathing hard, their shooters for a good 10-minute span were short on a lot of shots or wide with their shots. They weren’t running as fast as they were in the first half, you could just tell . . . I think the altitude got to them.”
Harvard got as close as 66-62 on Laurent Rivard’s trey – the Crimson’s only triple of the second half – with 30 seconds to play. But CU closed it out by hitting five of six free throws – three by Talton, two by Booker – in the last 28.3 and matched the 11th largest comeback in the history of the men’s program.
The Buffs don’t play again until Saturday, when they travel to Air Force (2 p.m.), and Scott – from Colorado Springs – said a break in what has been a demanding November routine is welcome.
“We’re pretty excited to have a little rest time,” he said. “We’ve pretty much had an every-other-day game schedule, which is fun, but it wears on you. We’re on Thanksgiving break right now for school, so it will be pretty nice just to be on the basketball schedule and then chill out for the week.”
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