Federal judge rebukes Army Corps’ decision to issue permit to IPOP

In a lawsuit contesting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ issuance of a key federal permit to IPOP LLC to mine for gold in Bonanza Channel, the Village of Solomon and four other tribes scored a legal victory this week. Federal judge Sharon Gleason issued a decision on Monday that agreed with the tribes that the Pacific Division of the Army Corps acted arbitrarily and capriciously and in violation of the National Environmental Policy and the Clean Water Act. IPOP LLC, a Nevada based company with no mining experience in Alaska, proposed a controversial mining project in Bonanza Channel that would impact 160 acres of estuary waters and habitat. The Alaska District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a Clean Water Act permit to IPOP. The company appealed the decision, and the Pacific Division of the Army Corps overruled the denial and issued the permit. The tribes, through Earthjustice, sued the U.S. Army Corps.

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