Sport fishing industry speaks out against Pebble Mine project

November 27, 2006
Associated Press (AK)
 
Members of the sport fishing industry are speaking out against a proposed mine near Lake Iliamna in the Bristol Bay area. Thirty-seven leaders in the sport fishing industry are urging Alaska Governor-elect Sarah Palin and various others to put a stop to the Pebble Mine project. The group wants the state and federal governments to permanently protect the Bristol Bay watershed.

The group -- which includes Orvis, Scott Fly Rods and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association -- has taken out full-page ads in the December, January and February issues of Fish Alaska. It also will have an ad in the February issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine. Trout Unlimited is paying for the ads.

Tom Bristol, Alaska director of Trout Unlimited, says wild salmon and trout are the real gold mine in Bristol Bay. Trout Unlimited says a recent study shows that the Bristol Bay salmon fishery generates an estimated 400 million dollar a year, with sport fishing contributing more than a quarter of that.

If the mining project goes forward, it would be the largest open pit gold and copper mine in North America. It would employ huge earthen dams to hold back rock waste and water. Northern Dynasty Minerals, a Canadian mining company, owns the Pebble mine prospect.
 
 

Date: 11/27/2006