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About Save Bristol Bay
Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Program works to preserve, protect and restore wild salmon and trout populations throughout Alaska. Through sound scientific data, strong grassroots outreach and advocacy, and hands-on involvement in conservation projects we protect some of the most pristine and prized rivers on the planet, restore those that need some help, and engage the next generation of coldwater stewards in Alaska’s natural heritage.
February 2010
Two Upcoming Red Gold Showings in CA and NV
Please join Trout Unlimited and Sportsmen's Alliance for Alaska for two upcoming showings of the award winning documentary Red Gold.
March 5th Reno Nevada. Get the details here.
March 6th Long Beach California. Get the details here.
Bristol Bay's Koktuli River Nominated as an Outstanding River
Trout Unlimited today nominated the Koktuli River in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed as an Outstanding National Resource Water, a designation that affords the highest protection to the river’s pristine water quality and highly productive fish habitat.
An Outstanding National Resources Water (ONRW) is a designation under the Clean Water Act that aims to protect high-quality waters for existing uses. By designating a river or stream as an ONRW, no new or increased pollution discharges can occur within that body of water or any tributary.
Pebble Permits Temporarily Suspended Because of Violations
It appears that the Pebble Partnership has already violated the trust of the state agencies tasked with ensuring that the company's activities meet the letter of the law. It goes without saying that the fact that the company is violating the public's trust during its exploration phase makes us even less comfortable with how they will handle the 3 - 8 billion tons of mine waste they plan to generate if they get a mining permit. The local news has the full story. Stay turned for more on this.
Pebble Developers Already Paying Fines for Water Violations
We don't know much about this yet but apparently the Pebble Partnership has already violated agreements with the state and is being forced to pay $45,000 for "unauthorized water withdrawals." Take a look at the Anchorage Daily News story.
The Battle over Pebble is Heating up in Juneau
The battle over the proposed Pebble Mine is heating up in the Alaska
legislature, according to public radio station KTOO. The Alaska
Board of Fisheries recently asked lawmakers for an independent review of the
state's mining permit system and for tougher environmental standards if needed.
Bristol Bay residents came to the capital this week to express both concern and
New NOAA Study Finds that Legal Amounts of Copper can Harm Salmon
It looks like even legal amounts of copper in water can severely impact a salmon's ability to survive according to a new study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This finding could have big impacts on the Pebble Mine since the company's plan is to pile between 3 and 8 billion tons of mine waste (including copper) in the headwaters of the biggest salmon producing watershed on the planet. Take a look at the news story from KTUU TV in Anchorage.
Alaska Board of Fish Calls on Legislature to Protect Bristol Bay
Good news emerged recently from the Alaska Board of Fisheries regarding Bristol Bay, home of Alaska's largest salmon runs. Late last week, the seven-member board sent a letter to the Alaska Legislature asking lawmakers to conduct a comprehensive review of the state's permitting standards for mines. The board members asked legislators to review all regulations and statutes to see whether they provide adequate environmental safeguards for Bristol Bay, and if not, to enact stricter ones.
Local High School Students Launch Petition
A group of high school students in Dillingham, Alaska, has launched an online petition calling on Congress and the Obama Administration to oppose the massive Pebble mine project in Bristol Bay. The group, called
Report From the Field: ESPN Radio Interview
This Saturday I had a chance to chat with the guys at The Outdoor Line, a Seattle outdoor radio show that can be heard every Saturday morning from 6:00 to 8:30 a.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle. Robbie, Rob, and Tom were great and asked lots of good questions. Check out the show. Click on any of the Lindsey Bloom audio files at the following link: