Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska
May 9, 2016 Newsletter
Spring is in full swing, and I hope that means you’ve been getting out fishing, turkey hunting, or just generally enjoying the outdoors. In this edition of the SAA news, you’ll find updates on Bristol Bay/Pebble Mine, the Tongass National Forest, and the Transboundary mining threat, as well as some general tidbits and videos about enjoying the wonders of the Great Land. You can always see a comprehensive collection of news items on the Latest News page.
SAA Online Fundraising Auction is Winding Down
Thanks to the generosity of many solid partners, SAA’s online fundraising auction has raised over $10,000 on eBay. See all the live listings and bid things up! Great deals for a great cause. Items currently available from Simms, Sitka Gear, Buck Knives, Big Sky Inflatables, Smith Optics, and more.
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Bristol Bay: Pebble’s Stalling Tactics
The Pebble Limited Partnership continues to spend millions of dollars on lawyers and lobbyists as it is basically on financial life support. Pebble is fighting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in court and is trying to get Congress to do its bidding by holding hearings about the agency’s work in Bristol Bay. It’s all meant to delay the decision to protect Bristol Bay until the next Presidential administration.
- A column in the Huffington Post focuses on the shaky state of Northern Dynasty Minerals’ finances, and the latest ploy of threatening to sue the U.S. government (and taxpayers, ultimately) over the proposed Pebble Mine project in Bristol Bay.
- Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has announced his opposition to the proposed Pebble Mine project after his wife met with Bristol Bay tribal leaders to discuss the issue, per the Alaska Dispatch News. Sanders is the second candidate to declare Bristol Bay should be protected.
- The Alaska Dispatch News reports on a recent contentious hearing in the U.S. House Science & Technology committee, where EPA’s Region 10 Administrator was questioned about the agency’s work in Bristol Bay regarding the proposed Pebble Mine project. In advance of the hearing, sporting interests from Texas sent a letter to the committee chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX). Bristol Bay residents also sent a similar letter to the chair.
- The New Yorker reports on the retired EPA biologist who is accused by the proponents of the Pebble Mine of unfairly treating their proposed project in Bristol Bay.
Tongass National Forest – Roadless Rule Stands!
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The Alaska Dispatch News reported that the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by the State of Alaska, challenging the enforcement of the Roadless Rule on the Tongass National Forest – a nice win for fish, game, and the industries that depend on them in America’s largest national forest. |
Transboundary Mining Threat
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The Juneau Empire reports on the ongoing pollution problem at the Tulsequah Chief mine in British Columbia, in a river that connects to Southeast Alaska’s Taku River system. Click map to visit Salmon Beyond Borders. |
Other News from Around Alaska and Miscellaneous Fun Items
- There is a proposal to mine heavy minerals (including garnet and zircon) from a huge area of beach near Yakutat, in an area known as the “Lost Coast,” per this story in the Alaska Journal of Commerce.
- The Alaska Dispatch News reports on the conservation easement entered into by a native corporation in Bristol Bay to conserve the habitat of Lake Iliamna’s unique freshwater seal population.
- A neat video featuring what makes fishing lodge owner/operator Nanci Morris Lyon tick on Salmon Love.
Other Ways to Support SAA and the Fight for Fishing and Hunting in Alaska
SAA is grateful for the generous support of individuals, businesses, and foundations. Your donations allow SAA to continue to work on efforts to protect prime fishing and hunting habitats in the Last Frontier for the benefit of current and future sportsmen and women. Make your donations online at the secure online donation page; all amounts are accepted and appreciated – SAA is a lean, mean, one-man operation but it takes funding to do this work.
(If you have any questions on how to donate, email Scott@SportsmansAlliance4AK.org.)
Do You Shop Online? Doesn’t Nearly Everyone These Days?
Two Ways to Help Alaska Conservation – Easy and Free!!!
SAA’s parent organization – the Alaska Conservation Foundation – is now an official recipient organization of Amazon Donations. It’s super easy to make a donation and doesn’t cost you a thing! Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of your total purchases to ACF. |
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Sign up for a free iGive.com account!
Your favorite cause (SAA!) will earn $5. It’s free and easy.
There is no obligation to make any purchases, but you can shop at over 900 online merchants and a percentage of the sale will be donated to SAA.
Thanks for caring about Alaska conservation. Your support and actions will ensure a future for Alaska’s fish and game and for coming generations of sportsmen and women to enjoy them.
Sincerely,
Scott Hed
Director – Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska
First trip to Bristol Bay on the Alagnak River 2007.
