Alaska Native leaders spoke against the controversial Pebble Mine during a listening session with Lisa Jackson, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Leaders from villages and corporations said the copper and gold mine will harm the environment and their way of life. They cited threats to fish, marine animals and water.

"Bristol Bay is a national treasure that we must protect," said Robin Samuelsen, the president and chief executive officer of Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp., The Seward Phoenix reported. "Bristol Bay is one of those rare areas where we should not mine."

The mine would be located in southwest Alaska, near several villages. Eight village corporations have joined a lawsuit that seeks to stop the approval of exploration permits for the project.

Get the Story:
At meeting with EPA chief, residents united in opposition to Pebble (The Seward Phoenix 7/29)

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