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.

Trout Unlimited Alaska, along with a large contingent of fishermen, Alaska Natives, guides, outfitters, lodge owners and other members of the public, had asked for such a review.

"The scale of this mine is unprecedented and the risks it poses to Bristol Bay's fisheries warrant at the very least a hard look by Alaska lawmakers at the state's existing permit regulations," said Tim Bristol, director of Trout Unlimited’s Alaska program.

The fisheries board, whose members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature, set seasons, bag limits, and other policy aspects of Alaska's subsistence, commercial, sport, guided sport, and personal use fisheries. The Anchorage Daily News reported on the letter this weekend.