Outdoorsmen to Salazar: Keep BLM Lands near Bristol Bay Off-Limits to Mining

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug. 26, 2009) -- Hundreds of hunting and fishing groups representing millions of America’s conservationists and anglers, outfitters, guides, lodge owners and others have asked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Bob Abbey to protect from mining 1.1 million acres of federal fish and wildlife habitat near Bristol Bay, Alaska.

This large swath of BLM land is near one of the world’s most productive salmon and rainbow trout fisheries. In a letter to Salazar, the group expressed deep concern that during their final days in office, Bush Administration officials finalized a plan to remove existing protections for fish and wildlife on the BLM lands and to open the area for mining. The group called on Salazar to direct Abbey to reverse that decision.

"Sport fishing in Bristol Bay is a $60 million business while commercial fishing pumps another $300 million into the economy," said Chris Wood, Chief Operating Officer of Trout Unlimited. "One out of four wild fish sold in America comes from Bristol Bay. Thousands of Alaska Native families depend on the area for subsistence. Never before have commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and subsistence users been so united on a single issue. Secretary Salazar and Director Abbey have a chance to do the right thing for Alaska Natives, commercial fishermen, and recreational anglers and hunters who come to Alaska from all over the world."

For the full story, and to see a copy of the letter, go to www.savebristolbay.org – Jay Cassell