Bristol Bay

  • EPA's Final Determination for the Bristol Bay watershed

    On January 30, 2023, EPA issued a Final Determination to help protect the most productive wild salmon ecosystem in the world.

    Learn about this landmark decision

The Bristol Bay watershed in southwest Alaska supports the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world, is home to 25 federally recognized Tribal governments, and contains large mineral resources. Learn more about Bristol Bay, its indigenous cultures and its ecological resources. 

  • EPA's Final Determination

    Close-up photo of bright red colored sockeye salmon spawning in a creek bed.

    EPA's Final Determination limits the disposal of dredged and fill material associated with developing the Pebble deposit in certain waters that are important to sustaining the region’s salmon resources.

    Read EPA's Final Determination

  • Timeline of EPA actions

    Salmon art on building in Dillingham, Alaska.

    A timeline of EPA's Clean Water Act section 404(c) review of potential impacts of large-scale mining development in the Bristol Bay watershed.

    View a timeline of EPA's actions

  • EPA's Bristol Bay Assessment

    Large brown bear face looking out from behind tall green grasses.

    In January 2014, EPA released its final assessment: The Effects of Large Scale Mining on the Salmon Ecosystems of the Nushagak and Kvichak Rivers.

    Read EPA's Bristol Bay Assessment
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Last updated on May 2, 2025