JUNEAU — A federal judge has quashed subpoenas against two groups that have been critical of the proposed Pebble Mine.
The group behind the mine project, the Pebble Limited Partnership, is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, alleging that EPA worked with mine critics with a predetermined goal to block the project. As part of that case, Pebble sought documents from the Alaska Conservation Foundation and Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association related to communications they had with EPA and others about the project. Neither is a party to the case.
Pebble’s also pursuing discovery from EPA. U.S. District Court Judge H. Russel Holland indicated that Pebble should be able to get what it wants from EPA documents.
Pebble spokesman Mike Heatwole says Pebble has served about 60 subpoenas, most to organizations.
