Guide to Public Comment on EPA’s Proposed Determination
A
PEBBLE WATCH
NEW!
webinars Times to be announced The EPA is planning 60-90 minute webinars that will include a short presentation on the Proposed Determination and a question and answer period. You can watch the presentation online and then submit questions to be answered right away by technical personnel.
Public Comment DEADLINE: Friday, Sept. 19, 2014
Times and dates for these sessions are not yet solidified, so be sure to follow PebbleWatch on Facebook to get the latest information or visit the website at www.pebblewatch.com.
did you know?
A
Residents of New Stuyahok discuss the proposed Pebble mine with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency during a June 2011 public meeting.
Translation and special needs Why Should I Comment? EPA’s Proposed Determination is just one step in a process that may place restrictions on dredge/fill disposal in Bristol Bay. However, EPA may also decide to withdraw the Proposed Determination if it concludes that there are ways to avoid adverse effects to aquatic resources. During this process, EPA officials say the Agency will take into consideration all public comments and that, “All relevant data, studies or informal observations are appropriate.” How do I know EPA will consider my comment? EPA received an unprecedented number of public responses on the recent Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment during two separate public input periods. The Agency then published a 585-page “Response to Public Comments” (grouped by topic) that details how it addressed relevant comments. There will be a similar document for the Proposed Determination.
™
Learn more about Pebble Watch and our impartial, educational, fact-based resources. Visit www. pebblewatch.com.
EPA can facilitate translation of your comment if you prefer to give it in Yup’ik or another language. The agency can also support special needs. Contact Judy Smith, smith.judy@epa. gov, or (503) 326-6994.
EPA public meetings Did you attend a public meeting when the EPA visited Anchorage and Bristol Bay earlier this month? At least 450 people attended the Anchorage meeting, with good showings in the Bristol Bay region as well. Comments from these meetings will be added to the official docket, which had around 130,000 comments as of Aug 28.