Many natural resource industry projects have experienced frustration when opponents file administrative or legal objections based on speculation that environmental degradation will result if the permit is issued, and the proponent is asked by regulators to prove the claims are unfounded. While no one can prove a negative, we can demonstrate that claimed damage scenarios are highly unlikely. Refutation of objector claims uses data collected for baseline studies or monitoring of permit compliance in advanced statistical and spatial models. Results are technically sound and legally defensible. Operators increase the value from their investment in data collection and regulators gain confidence that permit issuance is appropriate and justified.