U.S Supreme Court won’t hear Alaska’s Pebble Mine Lawsuit

Last January, the EPA used powers vested from the Clean Water Act to effectively stop the Pebble Mine. This was a landmark victory after an over twenty year fight to protect the headwaters of Bristol Bay. The decision ensures continued healthy habitat for one of the last strong wild salmon runs in the world, brown bears, migratory birds, and more.

The State of Alaska responded by suing the EPA in an effort to reverse the decision. Today, the U.S Supreme Court decided not to hear the case, and rejected the suit. While this is welcome news, the final nail isn’t in the coffin yet; the state can try to pursue the case starting in a lower court.