Northern Dynasty: Compelling Summary Judgement Legal Briefs Filed Demonstrating Why the Veto is Illegal and Should be Withdrawn Immediately
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) states that on October 3, 2025 it filed a Summary Judgment Brief in Alaska Federal Court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's veto of the Pebble project, and that the State of Alaska and local Alaska Native corporations filed briefs as well.
The PR says the brief argues the veto is illegal based on the FEIS, statutory protections for state lands, alleged speculative EPA findings, and recent Supreme Court wetlands guidance. The company says settlement talks continue and the government may respond by January 2, 2026.
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) afferma che il 3 ottobre 2025 ha depositato un Brief di Summary Judgment presso una Corte Federale dell'Alaska sfidando il veto dell'Agenzia per la Protezione dell'Ambiente sul progetto Pebble, e che anche lo Stato dell'Alaska e le corporazioni native locali dell'Alaska hanno depositato memorie.
La nota stampa afferma che il brief sostiene che il veto sia illegale in base al FEIS, alle protezioni statali per i terreni statali, a presunti risultati EPA speculativi e alle recenti linee guida sulle zone umide della Corte Suprema. L'azienda afferma che i colloqui di risoluzione continuano e che il governo potrebbe rispondere entro il 2 gennaio 2026.
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) afirma que el 3 de octubre de 2025 presentó un Brief de Juicio Sumario en un Tribunal Federal de Alaska desafiando el veto de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental al proyecto Pebble, y que el Estado de Alaska y las corporaciones nativas locales de Alaska presentaron también sus alegatos.
El comunicado dice que el escrito argumenta que el veto es ilegal basado en el FEIS, protecciones legales para tierras estatales, supuestas conclusiones especulativas de la EPA y la reciente guía de humedales de la Corte Suprema. La empresa dice que las conversaciones de arreglo continúan y que el gobierno podría responder para el 2 de enero de 2026.
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) 는 2025년 10월 3일에 알래스카 연방법원에서 Pebble 프로젝트에 대한 EPA의 거부권에 도전하는 요약판 판결 각서를 제출했다고 밝히고, 알래스카 주와 현지 알래스카 원주민 법인이 역시 주요 서류를 제출했다고 밝혔다.
PR은 이 각서가 FEIS, 주정부 토지에 대한 법적 보호, EPA의 가설적 발견, 그리고 최근 대법원 습지 환경 가이드라인에 근거하여 거부권이 불법이라고 주장한다고 말한다. 회사는 합의 협상이 계속되고 있으며 정부는 2026년 1월 2일까지 응답할 수 있다고 밝혔다.
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) indique que le 3 octobre 2025 il a déposé un mémoire de jugement sommaire devant un tribunal fédéral de l'Alaska contestant le veto de l'Environmental Protection Agency au projet Pebble, et que l'État de l'Alaska et des corporations autochtones locales de l'Alaska ont également déposé des mémoires.
Le communiqué précise que le mémoire soutient que le veto est illégal sur la base du FEIS, des protections prévues par les lois sur les terres de l'État, des conclusions prétendument spéculatives de l'EPA et des récentes directives sur les zones humides de la Cour suprême. L'entreprise affirme que les pourparlers de règlement se poursuivent et que le gouvernement pourrait répondre d'ici le 2 janvier 2026.
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) erklärt, dass es am 3. Oktober 2025 eine Summary-Judgment-Briefing vor dem Bundesgericht von Alaska eingereicht hat, um das Veto der Environmental Protection Agency gegen das Pebble-Projekt anzufechten, und dass auch der Staat Alaska und örtliche Alaska-Native-Korporationen Schriftsätze eingereicht haben.
Die PR besagt, dass das Briefing argumentiert, das Veto sei basierend auf dem FEIS, gesetzliche Schutzbestimmungen für staatliches Land, angeblich spekulative EPA-Feststellungen und die jüngsten Gerichtsentscheidungen zum Feuchtgebietswesen illegal sei. Das Unternehmen sagt, dass Gespräche über eine Einigung weitergehen und die Regierung möglicherweise bis zum 2. Januar 2026 antwortet.
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) تقول إنه في 3 أكتوبر 2025 قدمت طلباً موجزاً للحكم أمام محكمة اتحادية في ألاسكا تتحدى فيها حق النقض (الفيتو) الذي منحتها وكالة حماية البيئة لمشروع Pebble، وأن حكومة ألاسكا وشركات السكان الأصليين المحليين في ألاسكا قدمت أيضاً مذكرات.
وتقول العلاقات العامة إن المذكرة تجادل بأن حق النقض غير قانوني استناداً إلى FEIS، والحمايات المنصوص عليها في أراضي الولاية، ونتائج وكالة حماية البيئة المفترضة والمثيرة للجدل، والتوجيهات الحديثة للمياه المروية في المحكمة العليا. وتقول الشركة إن المحادثات التسوية مستمرة وقد ترد الحكومة بحلول 2 يناير 2026.
Northern Dynasty (NYSE American: NAK) 表示在 2025年10月3日，其在阿拉斯加联邦法院提交了一份简易判决摘要 Brief，挑战环保局对 Pebble 项目的否决，并且阿拉斯加州及当地阿拉斯加原住民公司也提交了简报。
公关表示，该简报认为否决在基于 FEIS、对州土地的法定保护、EPA 的所称推断性发现以及最高法院湿地指南等方面非法。公司表示和解谈判仍在继续，政府可能在 2026年1月2日之前作出回应。
- Filed Summary Judgment Brief on October 3, 2025
- Co‑plaintiffs include State of Alaska and Alaska Native corporations
- Court deadline for government response set for January 2, 2026
- Ongoing settlement discussions with government
- Government requested a case stay citing the U.S. shutdown from October 1, 2025
- Veto remains in effect pending court or settlement outcome
Insights
Northern Dynasty filed a federal summary judgment brief on October 3, 2025, challenging the EPA veto; the case may proceed or settle.
The press release states that Northern Dynasty and co‑plaintiffs filed a Summary Judgement Brief on October 3, 2025 arguing the EPA veto is illegal and listing five legal grounds drawn from the FEIS and statute. The company also reports ongoing settlement discussions with the government and an objection to the government’s request to stay the case due to the U.S. government shutdown that began October 1, 2025.
What it means: the company has moved the dispute from administrative channels into a defined federal litigation posture, which preserves legal remedies and creates a clear procedural timeline. Why it matters: a court ruling or negotiated withdrawal of the veto would directly affect the regulatory barrier described in the release; conversely, a stay or defeat would maintain the veto’s effect.
The article discloses one concrete monitoring item: the government may file a response brief by January 2, 2026, which is the next explicit legal milestone described.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 6, 2025 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") and its
"We are pleased to have filed the Summary Judgement Brief and to simultaneously be continuing our settlement discussions with the government to remove this illegal veto," said Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty's President and CEO. "We believe we have a strong case and, along with our fellow plaintiffs, are confident that we will win. And, frankly, we think the filing of this brief will help in our discussions with the government because it clearly highlights agency overreach of its mandate and interference in a project that is on state land which was designated, by statute, for mineral exploration and development. The facts cited by EPA in its veto decision are directly contradicted by the Final Environmental Impact Statement ("FEIS"), the official factual record in this proceeding."
The arguments made in the Summary Judgement Brief are too numerous to list here, but a few of the significant arguments on why the veto is illegal include:
A. The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") significantly underestimated the negative impact of the very significant cost that its veto imposes on the economies of Alaska and the U.S., citing other U.S. projects would simply make up the shortfall. Projects such as Pebble are unique and not easily replaced, let alone the thousands of forgone jobs in Alaska. The economic analysis that was done was superficial, at best, and ignored basic economic principles.
B. EPA has made it impossible to mine the deposit even though Congress specified that the state lands in which Pebble is located should be available for mining. This violates the Alaska Statehood Act and The Cook Inlet Land Exchange.
C. EPA relied on unsubstantiated speculation, rather than being able to make findings, that any harm to fish populations and water habitats will actually occur; and the statute requires certainty, with scientific or factual basis, not mere hypothetical, unsubstantiated speculation.
D. EPA's finding of an unacceptable adverse effect is irrational because it has no basis to conclude that the very minor loss of streams at the mine site will actually lead to any decrease in salmon populations. This finding is in direct contrast to what was extensively detailed in the comprehensive FEIS.
E. EPA's finding of an unacceptable adverse effect is also based on filling of wetlands. But now that the Supreme Court has clarified which wetlands are regulated under the Clean Water Act, it's clear that the vast majority of the Pebble lands are not even subject to that regulation as they would not and should not be considered Jurisdictional Waters under the Clean Water Act.
Mr. Thiessen added, "We have submitted our brief per the timeline set by the court, and it is now up to the government to review our case and to decide if they wish to file a response brief by January 2, 2026 to defend the Obama/Biden veto in court. While the court proceeding advances, our preferred option still remains negotiating a prompt withdrawal of the illegal veto by the government and then dismissing the litigation."
"In the meantime, the government has filed a request to stay the case in Alaska Federal Court, citing the U.S. government shutdown that commenced on October 1, 2025. We object to this request because it is our strong preference to keep to the court ordered briefing schedule, which would require the government to respond by January 2, 2026. We have waited a long time for our day in court in this case, and we should not have to wait any longer to vindicate our rights," Mr. Thiessen concluded.
About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a
For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project can be found in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov.
Ronald W. Thiessen
President & CEO
U.S. Media Contact:
Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897
Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors
This document includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this document, other than statements of historical facts, which address permitting, including the Company's legal action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE"), the withdrawal of the EPA veto and the development and production for the Pebble Project are forward-looking statements. Additional forward looking statements made by the Company under its continuous disclosure obligations include statements regarding (i) the development plan for the Pebble Project (ii) the right-sizing and de-risking of the Pebble Project, (iii) the design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project development plan, including projected capital and operating costs, (iv) the social integration of the Pebble Project into the Bristol Bay region and benefits for Alaska, (v) the political and public support for the permitting process, (vi) the ability of the Pebble Project to ultimately secure all required federal and state permits, (vii) the ability of the Company and/or the State of Alaska to challenge the EPA's Final Determination process under the Clean Water Act and ultimately the USACE's Record of Decision ("USACE ROD") through legal actions; (viii) exploration potential of the Pebble Project, (ix) future demand for copper, gold and other metals, (x) if permitting is ultimately secured, the ability to demonstrate the Pebble Project is ultimately commercially viable, and (xi) the potential addition of partners in the Pebble Project. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits or regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Project in light of the USACE ROD and its subsequent remand decision and the EPA's Final Determination, establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, achieve the required financing or develop the Pebble Project.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NDM as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) any feasibility studies prepared for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM's estimates of mineral resources will not change, and NDM will be successful in converting mineral resources to mineral reserves, (iv) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (v) NDM will be successful in its legal action against the EPA and the USACE and any action taken by the EPA in connection with the Final Determination will ultimately not be successful in restricting or prohibiting development of the Pebble Project.
In addition, the likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) the current development plan may not reflect the ultimate mine plan for the Pebble Project, (ii) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (iii) finalization of the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (iv) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating that any Pebble Project mineral resources that can be economically mined, (v) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, (vi) the ability of NDM to secure a partner for the development of the Pebble Project, and (vi) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and included in its annual report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), as well as the risk factors set out in the Company's subsequent public continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently contemplated. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time.
SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
What did Northern Dynasty announce on October 6, 2025 about NAK?
Who else filed briefs alongside Northern Dynasty in the Alaska Federal Court case?
What is the court timeline for the EPA or government to respond to NAK's brief?
Why did Northern Dynasty object to the government's request to stay the case?
What legal arguments does NAK's brief reportedly make against the EPA veto?
