Science Decision News Today

By cnn that says we have been directed to withdraw restrictions. the proposed protection of that area was being removed. pruitt opened the door for what the epa feared could become one of the largest open pit mines in the world in an extremely sense tifr wat water shed in wild alaska. he made the decision without a briefing from any of epas scientists or experts. >> absolutely. i met with mr. pruitt. >> reporter: for pebble limited partnership ceo it was a huge win and it comes with new apologie...

Work had been done? >> not a science decision. its a process decision. >> you know, the optics on this look -- >> the optics on this are right. they dont look bad a bit. >> this looks like the head of a gold mine went into the new administrator and got him to reverse what an entire department had worked on for years. >> then put your glasses back on, because youre not seeing the right optics. >> well, lawmakers didnt even know about the details of the decision or the e-mail directing the withdra...

In fact, about an hour after that meeting, epa staffers were surprised to receive an e-mail, which cnn exclusively obtained, telling them to start removing restrictions. now, if it goes forward, the protection would be scrapped, wiped away. today the first of two public hearings on the move took place in alaska, for the ceo of pebble limited partnership, it was a huge win. and when he talked to cnns drew griffin, he had no apologies. take a look. >> reporter: and do you think it was not wrong th...