Sportsmen rally for Bristol Bay in Nation's Capital
by Scott Hed
Forty hunting and angling leaders descended on Washington, D.C. in April, 2012, to participate in the Bristol Bay Sportsmen's Summit.
It was incredible to witness the drive and passion that sportsmen and women from across the nation have in support of the efforts to protect Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine project.
Having worked on this issue for over six years, the Summit represented something of a culmination (yet, just another step toward our ultimate goal) of the efforts to date to inform and engage America's hunting and angling communities in our campaign.
The diversity of supporters from the hook and bullet realm - now numbering over 500 groups and businesses who have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect Bristol Bay - was also reflected in the selfless individuals who traveled from 17 different states to give a few days of their time to talk to federal decision-makers about the importance of Bristol Bay.
Our contingent included Bristol Bay lodge operators from Alaska and a few other states, current and former state politicians, current and past executives and officers of Trout Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Dallas Safari Club, Camp Fire Club of America, Pope and Young Club, American Sportfishing Association, American Fly Fishing Trade Association, Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance, Wildlife Forever, North American Hunting Club, North American Fishing Club, and many state or local sportsman group leaders and outdoor business owners.
Our sporting leaders were excited and proud to be joined by executives and board members from the Bristol Bay Native Corporation. It was terrific to work alongside the leaders of BBNC, who are fighting for the future of the region which has supported their families for many generations. One of the strengths of this campaign is the fact that the in-region support is so widespread and pervasive, and the fact that support outside of Alaska continues to grow at such a tremendous rate only serves to make the overall campaign more effective.
We kept our charges extremely busy over the course of our time in DC. Over 40 meetings were held with Congressional offices as well as with staff at the White House and the Administrator of the EPA, Lisa Jackson. Trust me, attempting to schedule delegates in that many meetings in that short a time frame is a challenge, and I salute my colleagues who helped with those logistical details.
At the close of the Summit the big question was: Did we move the needle? I believe we did. The talents and passion of these 40 sportsmen and women carried the message for the millions of hunters and anglers from across the country who have either been to Bristol Bay and can’t wait to return, or who haven’t been there yet but dream of visiting Bristol Bay someday.
During our training session the day before our meetings began, I told the delegates that they were in DC to play a part in what may become the signature fisheries conservation victory of our lifetimes. I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say that. If Bristol Bay can be risked to something like the Pebble Mine, then I truly believe that everything is on the table – no place is off limits. Because of the depth and diversity of the parties fighting for Bristol Bay – from Bristol Bay villages to the farthest corners of our nation – I continue to believe that the good guys have a fighting chance. After the events of last week’s Sportsmen’s Summit for Bristol Bay, our decision makers have been reminded again how important this issue is for the people of Bristol Bay and all who treasure it.
Scott Hed is director of the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska.
More coverage of the Bristol Bay Sportsmen's Summit
- The Sportsmen’s Summit for Bristol Bay took place in Washington, DC, the week of April 16, 2012. Read the press release from Trout Unlimited.
- A former Congressman who is currently the Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party wrote an opinion editorial in The Hill, a Washington, DC, paper, advocating for the protection of Bristol Bay.
Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment UpdateDuring the past month, the EPA has met with several groups, organizations and businesses to exchange scientific information and listen to different perspectives about large scale development in Bristol Bay. The list includes: Bristol Bay Seafood Development Association, Bristol Bay Native Corporation Land Committee, Nuna Resources, Trout Unlimited, Wild Salmon Center, Pebble Partnership, Alaska Peninsula Corporation Board, Iliamna Development Corporation, Nunamta Aulukestai and the BBNC Village Leadership Workshop. Here is a link to the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment Update presentation given by EPA Manager Rick Parkin at some of these meetings. |
|
How the EPA can Protect Bristol Bay
The coming year is shaping up to be critically important in the efforts to stop the proposed Pebble Mine. Alaska's Bristol Bay watershed is a complex system of rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands that support the most productive wild sockeye salmon fishery in the world. To protect the salmon, sportsmen, Alaska tribes, native corporations, commercial fishermen and others have petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use its authority under the Clean Water Act to restrict or prohibit the disposal of mine waste in Bristol Bay's pristine waters, including wetlands. Click here for a simple overview of the EPA’s role and the section of the Clean Water Act that is being deliberated. |
|
Matching Funds Challenge
|
Rapids Camp Lodge has generously offered to partner with Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska on a fundraising challenge. Rapids Camp Lodge will match 50% of all funds raised by SAA for work on the Bristol Bay campaign up to a maximum donation by Rapids Camp Lodge of $5,000. Now your $50 donation will actually amount to $75…$100 will turn into $150…and so on. For full details, and to make your matching funds donation, click here. |
Official EPA Web Site for Bristol BayThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a Web site detailing their work in Bristol Bay. You can read official documents, follow EPA’s work schedule in the region, and sign up for a Bristol Bay newsletter from EPA to be kept up to date directly from the agency. Visit the site to learn what the EPA is doing about Bristol Bay, and sign up to be kept informed of the process. |
|
|
Over 360 hunting and angling groups and businesses urge EPA to protect Bristol Bay!Feb. 24, 2011 – At a press conference today, leaders from hunting and fishing conservation groups, the sporting products industry, and an Alaska lodge owner called on the Environmental Protection Agency to use all of its authority to protect Bristol Bay from large-scale developments, such as the proposed Pebble Mine. Today also marked the release of a letter organized by the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska, which rallied support from over 360 sporting groups and businesses from across the country in a letter to the EPA, demonstrating how critically important this issue is to America’s hunters and anglers. Listen to audio of the press conference by clicking here. |
Special Offers from Pro Photographers and Artists
 © Terry Gunn |
 © Bob White |
Here’s an opportunity to get a sweet image of Bristol Bay and help support the fight to protect this amazing place…all at the same time! Angler and photographer Terry Gunn has made a variety of his great images (example above) available for purchase, with all profits to benefit SAA’s work. Prints available in sizes from 4”x6” to 20”x30”, so there’s something for everyone! Suitable for framing or you can get the image mounted on lightweight gatorboard. Visit Terry's site to view and order your prints. |
Friend and talented artist Bob White is a long-time guide in Bristol Bay. Bob has just released a new print titled “Evening Quiet – Togiak Valley.” The image (above) will accompany John Gierach’s closing column in the Summer 2011 issue of Fly Rod & Reel magazine. There are 50 limited edition prints available, at just $160 each. Ten percent of the sales proceeds will be donated to SAA’s work to protect Bristol Bay. Order yours here. |
Share These Fact Sheets to Help Bristol Bay
The Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska and the Trout Unlimited Alaska program have created a few simple tools to help spread the word about Bristol Bay.
Print a few copies to share with friends, distribute at your business, or download the files and e-mail to your contacts. Get creative with how you use them, but be sure to use them – that’s the important part.
We need to get more people aware of the threat facing Bristol Bay and let them know how they can help.
- High Resolution Fact Sheet (suitable for printing)
- Low Resolution Fact Sheet (better for e-mailing as a file attachment)
- Informational Postcard
Hunters Taking Interest in Proposed Pebble Mine
While nobody will dispute the fact that the major risk to the Bristol Bay region from the proposed Pebble Mine will be to the world’s largest wild salmon fishery, it’s also true that southwest Alaska holds tremendous value for species such as caribou, moose, and bear. Hunters from across the globe travel to this region every year to experience a remote wilderness hunt in truly wild country.
The Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska works with hunting groups like Dallas Safari Club, big game hunting guides, and companies in the hunting products industry. More hunters will be hearing about the threat facing Bristol Bay in coming months.
Click on the magazine cover to read a piece SAA did for Trophy Hunter magazine. The piece discusses why hunters should care about Pebble Mine, and includes statements of support from Dallas Safari Club, Sturm Ruger & Co., hunting guides and more. Anglers, hunters, or both…all of us are working to protect Bristol Bay!
Get a Copy of Red Gold on DVD
Donate $25 to the Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska and get a copy of the award-winning documentary film Red Gold on DVD.
Red Gold is hands down the best outreach tool to educate people about the Pebble Mine threat. It’s an incredible human interest story, and appeals to all audiences…not just those of us that love to catch big rainbow trout!
Please indicate “Red Gold DVD” in the comment box on the secure donation page.
Abel ‘No Pebble Mine’ Reel to Aid Alaskan ConservationOpponents of the potentially environmentally devastating Pebble Mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region will benefit from an Abel Super 5N trout reel. Abel will produce a limited edition of the engraved reels ... |
 |
