The president of the Iliamna Village Council says she did not review a report submitted on the council's behalf that backed up conclusions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the impacts of large-scale mining in the Bristol Bay region.
Lorene Anelon released a statement Wednesday, after The Associated Press reported the council wanted to rescind the analysis by Donald Macalady.
Macalady is a professor emeritus of chemistry and geochemistry at the Colorado School of Mines, whose analysis suggested broader impacts than what the EPA looked at in its revised watershed assessment.
Anelon says it was inappropriate for Macalady to comment on potential future impacts of the proposed Pebble Mine on social issues in the village of Iliamna.
EPA said the comments will remain part of the public record.