July 20, 2012
The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson
Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Jackson:
We understand that a Section 404(c) Clean Water Act action to preempt the possible creation of a mining project in Alaska is being considered by the EPA. We are very concerned about the possible precedent that would be set by vetoing (or conditioning) such a mine or development project by the EPA, particularly in advance of a request for permit.
As this mineral exploration is occurring on state lands available for mining, our concerns are amplified even more. We agree with the Alaska Attorney General who believes that EPA should drop this ill-advised approach that violates states’ rights.
The US needs copper and we especially need jobs that come from resource development projects that propose significant investments, more than $6 billion in the case of Pebble. Such investment would have far reaching positive economic benefits not just for Alaska, but also for those American companies and workers who would build and supply a potential new strategic minerals mine…
You can read the rest of the letter, here.