WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to revisit its Bristol Bay watershed assessment: 

“Over two months ago, the EPA released a document that – according to its own peer review panel – was flawed. The agency chose to evaluate a hypothetical mine that was basically designed to violate modern environmental standards. Until the EPA fixes this fundamental flaw, the agency’s draft assessment will remain a work of fiction rather than sound science.

“The EPA’s actions so far have deprived Alaskans of the opportunity to make informed decisions about development in our state. Compounding all of the problems created by the EPA is uncertainty regarding whether the agency plans to preemptively veto development in Alaska. To properly serve Alaskans and its own mission, the EPA must correct course.”

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For further information, please contact Robert Dillon at 202.224.6977 or robert_dillon@energy.senate.gov or Megan Moskowitz at 202.224.7875 or megan_Moskowitz@energy.senate.gov.

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