Mr. Trump’s administration had been trying to help reverse the project’s fortunes amid a broader effort to roll back environmental regulations to benefit businesses. EPA intends to collect further public comment and the project “must clear a high bar,” it said in the announcement. A 2014 EPA report said the Pebble mine could have significant adverse effects on the region’s fisheries and the Native Alaskan communities that depend on them. Bristol Bay has the largest sockeye salmon fishery on globe, producing about half of the world’s wild supply in 2014. “This is a landmark decision for Bristol Bay that heartens our resolve to bring this fight to a close and ensure Bristol Bay is protected for generations to come.”Write to Timothy Puko at tim.puko@wsj.com

Source: Wall Street Journal January 27, 2018 02:15 UTC