Join Yukon Presbytery EP in Protecting Bristol Bay

On August 12, 2014, the Rev. Curt Karns, Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of the Yukon, offered testimony before the EPA in support of protecting the Bristol Bay from the encroaching Pebble Mine. The EPA’s process of research and public comment has the authority to deny a mining permit to what would become one of the largest mines in the world and the largest open pit mine in North America. Because of its size, geochemistry and location, the EPA has determined that Pebble Mine could not function without causing irreparable harm -- a high risk of polluting Bristol Bay, one of the world’s few and most productive wild salmon strongholds that supports a $500 million commercial and sport fishery. For thousands of years, Bristol Bay has supported native subsistence hunters with its wealth of salmon. Today, it supports a sustainable commercial fishing industry and the native communities that call the Bay home.

Join Rev. Karns in advocating for the Bay and the communities that depend on it. Write to the EPA here.

Executive Presbyter Curt Karns’ Pebble Mine Statement

"I am the Rev. Dr. Curtis Karns, executive presbyter for the Presbytery of Yukon in Alaska for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I am grateful for this opportunity to speak as a member of the faith community.

"In 2012, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) went on record as fully supporting the EPA in its work of protecting and restoring the environment. We are grateful for your work now and consider your involvement important Presbyterian denominational policy states: “God's work in creation is too wonderful, too ancient, too beautiful, too good to be desecrated.” Indeed, Presbyterians understand God’s creation to be sacred, and therefore it is something that can be desecrated.

"In this case, the Bristol Bay watershed, the world’s largest salmon spawning habitat has flourished for millennia, with local residents participating in the bounty and care for that habit. Now the science is clear: this mine puts the watershed at risk. Pebble Mine might provide jobs and products for a generation or two, but it would put an ancient and sacred habit at risk, as well as the unique way of life of the Alaskans who have cared for it so effectively. This mine risks the “desecration” of that watershed to satisfy one or two generations’ desires. We need to assure that Alaskans can always live in harmony with this watershed habitat, that they can always enjoy the fishery jobs this watershed provides, and that this ancient Alaskan way of life can continue.

"I urge you to move forward with your 404-C protections.

From our partners at the National Council of Churches:

Bristol Bay, Alaska is home to the world's largest wild sockeye salmon fishery, which has supported the subsistence livelihoods of the Bay’s Native Alaskans for thousands of years. This stunning piece of Creation is now under threat from a proposed open pit mine that would destroy the salmon habitat and cause irreversible damage to God’s Earth and God’s people.

Add your voice to the call for permanent protection of Bristol Bay.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued their Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment, which describes the damage that large scale development such as the proposed Pebble Mine could pose to the Bay’s clean waters, fish, wildlife, and people. Click here to read the NCC’s press release in support of the Watershed Assessment.

We stand with the Native Alaskans and commercial fisherman who depend on the health of Bristol Bay’s fishery, and ask the EPA to use the Clean Water Act to protect Bristol Bay from the irreparable harm the proposed mine would cause God’s people and Creation in and around the Bay. Click here to send your message to the EPA asking them to permanently protect the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery, 14,000 American jobs, and a Native way of living that is thousands of years old. 

Thanks to Katherine Carscallen for the photo of Father Yako from Chignik Lake.