Location: Alaska

Tribal communities, commercial fishermen, and conservation groups in Alaska are celebrating a recent EPA announcement outlining new protections for the Bristol Bay Watershed – protections that could (finally) end the decades-long fight to stop Pebble Mine. Alannah Hurley, Executive Director of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay (UTBB), reflected, “As stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial, our people welcome this step towards permanent protections for our waters and way of life… We appreciate EPA’s efforts to address the threat Pebble poses to our lands, waters and way of life in Bristol Bay, and hope to see the agency finalize strong protections this year.” (Please consider standing in solidarity with UTBB by submitting your own public comment to the EPA!)
In response to this growing challenge, Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) reached out to the Lab earlier this year for support. Specifically, ACF was eager to explore the role of narrative, both as a tool wielded by the opposition (mining industry and pro-mining decision-makers) to push the necessity and “inevitably” of unchecked mining expansion and as a tool for advocates statewide to put forward an alternate vision for prosperity, sustainability, and self-determination through the coming energy transition. Read on for key learnings and insights from the work we did together!