Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska

May 8, 2009 Newsletter and Final Auction Results

I hope you’re ready for some news – there’s a bunch of interesting stories and videos this week. And at the end of this week’s edition you’ll find the record-setting final auction tally. Let’s get to the news …

Pebble Partnership Announces 2009 Work Plans
A common question I receive is in regard to what’s going on at the Pebble Mine site this summer. Read this short article from The Mining Record to see what is planned for 2009. Looks like they’re still trying to get to the start of permitting in 2010.

Governor Palin Speaks on Alaska’s Sustainable Fisheries
A more common question I get is “What does Governor Palin think about Pebble Mine?” That’s hard to pin down exactly, but the Governor, who fishes commercially with her husband Todd each summer, recently gave a speech in Kodiak, Alaska, as part of Alaska’s 50th anniversary of statehood celebration. She made some interesting comments regarding her connections to Bristol Bay, making management decisions based on science and not politics, etc. While she doesn’t speak to the Pebble project specifically, she does say some things that are of interest. Here’s a highlighted quote from the Governor’s speech: “The commitment to manage based on biology, not on politics, and the commitment to sustain a 50 year legacy of putting the long term health of the resource above short term health of our wallets is what makes fisheries in Alaska so special.'' See the video here.
 
Secretary Salazar Presents Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership with Partners in Conservation Award
This week Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar presented a Partners in Conservation Award to the Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership for its work in promoting the sustainability of wild salmon populations. It was one of 26 national awards to individuals and organizations presented at a ceremony at Interior headquarters in Washington, D.C., to honor “those who achieve natural resource goals in collaboration and partnership with others.” Click here to read the press release from Department of Interior (DOI).

Interesting situation developing here. We’ve been working to get the new Secretary to halt the implementation of the very flawed plan for managing the BLM lands in the Bristol Bay region, which was issued last November by the previous DOI leadership. It surely doesn’t make sense for DOI to recognize efforts to protect critical salmon habitat in southwest Alaska on one hand, and then allow another DOI agency to lift restrictions on federal lands in the region which would throw open the doors to future large-scale mining exploration and potential development.

“No Net Loss” … Is this the future for Bristol Bay? Let’s hope not.
For those of you that have seen Red Gold, you’ll recall that a spokesperson for the Pebble Partnership makes a comment about their commitment to the concept of “no net loss” of fishery resources in the Bristol Bay region. Basically, if they screw up, and wild fishery stocks are impaired, they’ll see that the fishery resources are “enhanced” by other means. Whether that means hatchery fish stocks for Bristol Bay, or fish farms to replace the wild salmon harvest we’re not really sure. Either way, it’s not right. If you want to see a disturbing video about how the wild sockeye runs on Canada’s Fraser River are being impacted by the profusion of fish farms along their migratory route, click here. Perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned.

Final Results of the Bristol Bay Online Fundraising Auction Update – WE TOPPED LAST YEAR!
The second annual fundraising auction for Bristol Bay has wrapped up. Gross proceeds were $54,870! We topped the 2008 auction results by $3,000!

This annual auction is possible due to the very generous contributions of so many companies, lodges, outfitters, and artists. Please support them when you are considering the next purchase of gear, art, or that trip of a lifetime.

Thank you also to the blogs, Web sites and magazines who helped spread the word.

You can start saving your spare change for the third annual Bristol Bay Online Fundraising Auction, which will launch in early 2010. Until then, a final tip of the hat to the generous bidders whose purchases helped raise some good money for a very good cause:

• St. Croix “Avid” Series 6-wt fly rod – Sold Jerry in TX for $194.90
• Koktuli River float trip for 2 – Sold to Mike in AZ for $4,000
• Fishpond “Dakota” rod & reel carry-on – Sold to Mike in AZ for $90
• “Tarpon-Red Streamer” print by Derek DeYoung – Sold to Travis in CA for $152.50
• Rainbow River Lodge trip for 2 – Sold to Paul in MI for $7,600
• Cloudveil 8x Pro Waders and Boots – Sold to Michael in NC for $380
• Nautilus FW5 fly reel + SA line – Sold to Steve in IN for $276.50
• Ari ‘t Hart “Trilogy” fly reel by Exclusive Reels – Sold to Bryan in TX for $1,724
• Smith Interlock Spoiler polarized sunglasses – Sold to Frank in CA for $86
• Ross Worldwide “Essence” 7/8 fly rod/reel outfit – Sold to Amy in OR for $112.50
• Leupold 8x42mm “Cascades” binocular – Sold to Keith in CT for $227.50
• Simms “Rivershed” boot w/ Vibram sole – Sold to Robert in Canada for $177.50
• Waterworks “Force” LT2 fly reel + SA line – Sold to Tatsuya in Japan for $295.40
• “Taku” polarized sunglasses by 7Eye – Sold to Demetrios in Canada for $76
• Women’s Flyfishing Alaska’s Denali Highway trip for 1 woman angler + dozen flies + Redington “Chena River” women’s waders – Sold to Kirsten in MA for $525
• Breathable 5-Layer stockingfoot waders by Filson – Sold to Bruce in WA for $180
• “Guide” boots by Korkers – Sold to Tim in CO for $134
• 2 VersiTip Fly Lines from Rio Products – Sold to William in CO for $120
• “Hidden Water” 8-wt travel fly rod by March Brown – Sold to Travis in CA for $142.50
• Drift boat accessories package by Clackacraft – Sold to James in PA for $150
• Simms “Guide” boot w/ Vibram sole – Sold to Mike in GA for $159.26
• Fetha Styx custom rod gift certificate – Sold to Randy in OR for $175
• Lefty Kreh 12-wt fly line by Jim Teeny + Insect Shield Halo shirt by Ex Officio – Sold to James in NC for $75
• St. Croix Premier travel spinning rod – Sold to James in NC for $96
• Smith Optics Spoiler Interlock polarized sunglasses – Sold to Larry in WY for $86
• Galvan T-8 fly reel – Sold to Lynn in NC for $333.89
• Trip for 2 with Reel Wilderness Adventures – Sold to Steve in WA for $4,500
• Origo Fishing Pro watch – Sold to Mike in AZ for $100
• Redington CPX Zip-Front Waders + CPX Boots – Sold to Brian in ID for $235
• Beulah Platinum Series 6-wt Spey Rod – Sold to Gavin in OR for $380
• Hardy Classic Lightweight 3-wt Fly Rod + Hardy Perfect Fly Reel – Sold to Dan in UT for $733.89
• Leupold MX Modular Flashlight – Sold to Kevin in FL for $102.50
• Simms Freestone boot w/ Vibram sole – Sold to Frank in CA for $90
• Costa Del Mar “Harpoon” polarized sunglasses – Sold to Travis in CA for $102.50
• “Cutthroat-Stimulator” print by Canvasfish.com – Sold to Steven in OR for $102.50
• Scott S4 7-Weight Fly Rod – Sold to Frank in CA for $450
• Choice of any Temple Fork Outfitters fly rod – Sold to William in CO for $257
• Hatch 3 Plus fly reel – Sold to David in TX for $355
• Trip for 2 to No See Um Lodge – Sold to Jim and Amy in VA for $8,500
• Echo Trip Travel Fly Rod + Vosseler Fly Reel & Airflo line – Sold to Sheila in PA for $225
• Trip for 2 to Turneffe Flats in Belize – Sold to Hal in New Brunswick for $4,512
• Sage 6080 fly reel – Sold to James in MA for $375
• Smith Optics “Shelter” polarized sunglasses – Sold to Steve in MA for $76
• St. Croix Legend Ultra 8wt fly rod – Sold to Jeff in CT for $266
• Wildhorse Tech Pack from Fishpond – Sold to Erik in NJ for $177.50
• Clackacraft model drift boat – Sold to Kaari in WA for $103.50
• G4 Guide boot from Simms w/ Vibram sole – Sold to John in GA for $201.76
• CND Spey USA Expert Series spey rod incl. line – Sold to Frank in CA for $319.77
• Trip for 2 to Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge – Sold to Bill in WV for $1,975
• Filson fly case and reel case – Sold to Mark in MN for $97
• Costa Del Mar “Man O War” polarized sunglasses – Sold to Jeffrey in TX for $73
• Galvan T-6 Torque fly reel w/ Teeny line – Sold to Louis in Quebec for $280
• Leupold 10x42 Cascades binoculars – Sold to Angel in Spain for $280
• Winston Boron II-MX 9-wt fly rod w/ SA line – Sold to Trevor in Australia for $420
• Smith Interlock Spoiler polarized sunglasses – Sold to Michael in WI for $71
• Trip for 2 to Rainbow Point Lodge – Sold to Tom in TX for $7,695
• Original fly sketch of your choice from Jeff Kennedy Studio – Sold to Mike in AZ for $128.50
• 2 Limited edition prints from Bob White/John Gierach – Sold to Joseph in NJ for $175
• Headwaters boots from Simms w/ Vibram sole – Sold to Karl in WA for $144.06
• “Steelhead – Chromer” print by Derek DeYoung – Sold to Douglas in CA for $118.59
• St. Croix Premier travel spinning rod – Sold to Robert in WI for $123.50
• Smith Optics Interlock Spoiler sunglasses – Sold to Tom in IL for $89.14
• Islander LX4.0 fly reel w/ SA line – Sold to Del in BC for $431.50
• Orvis ZG Helios 10-weight fly rod – Sold to James in VA for $525.01
• Henry Repeating Arms hat, t-shirt, mug – Sold to David in OH for $26.95
• Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor II fly reel – Sold to Dann in VA for $112.50
• Smith Optics Hideout sunglasses – Sold to Felton in GA for $100
• Orvis TLS Power Matrix 4-weight fly rod – Sold to Mike in AZ for $232.50
• Orvis Safe Passage rod & reel case – Sold to John in CO for $103.50
• Orvis Vortex VO2 V fly reel – Sold to Daniel in NH for $248.50
• Orvis clear-sided dry bag – Sold to Mike in AZ for $41
• Patagonia Guidewater waders – Sold to Takashi in Japan for $282
• Patagonia Riverwalker boots – Sold to Jim in OR for $122.50
• Patagonia SST jacket – Sold to Robert in NY for $255

That’ll do it for this edition of the SAA E-News and Auction Wrap Up. Good luck on the water and in the field – remember to be safe, and take time to introduce a beginner to fishing, hunting, and the great outdoors.

Thanks for all you do for Alaska conservation!

Scott Hed
Director – Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska

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