The Protection Effort

The proposed Pebble Mine, located in Bristol Bay’s headwaters, has mobilized extraordinarily diverse and determined opposition.

In Alaska, where support for resource development ranks high, the depth and breadth of the opposition is remarkable, encompassing an unprecedented group including commercial, sport and subsistence fishing interests, seafood chefs, outdoor retailers, local elected officials and conservationists. Together the organizations that oppose Pebble mine and support Bristol Bay protection have memberships numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

Most notable among them are the local Alaska Natives who live in the region. Polls have consistently shown that an overwhelming majority of Bristol Bay residents oppose the mine. According to a 2008 survey conducted on behalf of Nunamta Aulukestai (Caretakers of the Land), more than 75 percent of Bristol Bay residents, among them Alaska Natives whose families have lived in the region for generations, oppose or strongly oppose the mine’s construction.

This unusually varied opposition embraces:

• Sport fishing interests, including Trout Unlimited, Orvis, the Renewable Resources Coalition and the International Federation of Fly Fishers
• Commercial fishing groups and seafood processors, including United Fishermen of Alaska, Alaska Independent Fishermen’s Marketing Association and Bristol Bay Regional Development Corporation
• Alaska Native subsistence users represented by Nunamta Aulukestai, the Alaska Native Inter-Tribal Council and regional tribal and village councils
• Local lodge owners and guides, such as Brian Kraft, owner of Alaska Sportsman’s lodge
• Former state and federal regulators
• Local elected officials
• Conservation groups both national and statewide

Coalition asking EPA to use its Clean Water Authority

To protect the salmon from the Pebble mine proposal, Alaska tribes, native corporations and commercial fishermen and others have petitioned the 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.

Learn more about the EPA and Bristol Bay.

Pebble Mine Opponents

Alaskans: Tribes, Villages, Students, Civic Groups

• 79% of local residents (survey)
• Alaska Ambassador, LLC
• Alaska Association of Student Governments
• Alaska Inter-Tribal Council
• Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Assoc.
• Aleknagik Natives Limited
• Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation
• Bristol Bay Native Association
• Bristol Bay Native Corporation
• CHOGGIUNG VILLAGE CORPORATION (native village corp. of Dillingham)
• City of Dillingham
• Curyung Tribal Council
• Clarks Point Village Council
• Iliamna Village Council
• Manokotak Natives Limited
• Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
• Nunamta Aulukestai
• Nushagak-Mulchatna/Wood-Tikchik Land Trust
• Pedro Bay Village Council
• Saguyak, Inc.
• The DILLINGHAM village council (Curyung)
• The LEVELOK village council
• The village tribe and native corporation of KOLIGANEK
• The village tribe and the city of NONDALTON
• The village tribe, native corporation and city of EKWOK
• The village tribe, native corporation and city of NEW STUYHOK
• Togiak Natives Limited

Commercial Fishing/Seafood Groups Opposed

• Alaska Independent Fishermen's Marketing Association
• Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association
• Pacific Seafood Processors Association
• United Fishermen of Alaska

Chefs/Food Lovers Opposed

• Caroline Bennet. Moshi Moshi, London
• Seth Caswell, Emmer & Rye, Seattle, WA
• Kevin Davis, Steelhead Diner, Seattle, WA
• Christine Keff, Flying Fish, Seattle, WA
• Taichi Kitamura, Chiso, Seattle, WA
• Charles and Rose Ann Finkel, The Pike Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
• Todd Gray, Equinox Restaurant, Washington D.C.
• Wayne Johnson, Andaluca, Seattle, WA
• Barton Seaver, Blue Ridge Restaurant, Washington D.C.
• Jonathan Umbel, Hook Restaurant, Washington D.C. New Seasons Market, Portland, OR

Churches Opposed

• The Episcopal Church
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• National Council of Churches USA
• Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness
• United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
• United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society

Conservation Organizations Opposed

• Alaska Conservation Association
• Alaska Marine Conservation Council
• American Rivers
• Arizona Wildlife Federation
• Berkley Conservation Institute
• California Waterfowl Association
• EARTHWORKS
• Idaho Wildlife Federation
• Izaak Walton League of America
• Louisiana Wildlife Federation
• Montana Wildlife Federation
• National Wildlife Federation
• New Mexico Wildlife Federation
• National Parks Conservation Association
• National Wildlife Federation
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• The Bristol Bay Alliance
• The Wilderness Society
• Washington Wildlife Federation
• World Wildlife Fund

Hunting and Fishing Groups Opposed

More on the importance of sport fishing to Bristol Bay.

• Alaska Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
• Alaska Bowhunters Association
• American Flyfishing Trade Association
• American Sportfishing Association
• Arizona Flycasters Club
• Association of Northwest Steelheaders
• Boulder Flycasters
• Camp Irem Hunting Club
• Campfire Club of America
• Candlewood Valley TU and Pootatuck Watershed Association, Inc.
• Colorado Wildlife Federation
• Columbia Pacific Anglers Association
• Dallas Safari Club
• Deep Creek Flyfishers
• Federation of Fly Fishers
• Federation of Flyfishers, Southwest and Southern Councils
• Filson
• Gila Trout Chapter
• Golden West Women Flyfishers
• Greywolf Fly Fishing Club
• Heart of America Flyfishers
• Hellgate Hunters and Anglers
• Hunting Life.com
• Jefferson Rod and Gun Club
• Kenai Area Fisherman’s Coalition
• Northwest Guides and Anglers Association
• Northwest Sportsfishing Industry Association
• Oregon Anglers
• Overlake Fly Fishermen
• Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations
• PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs
• Payton Flycasters Club
• Recreational Fishing Alliance
• Renewable Resources Coalition
• Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen Club
• Santa Lucia Fly Fishers
• Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers
• Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
• The Knowledge Group, Inc.
• Triangle Fly Fishers
• Trout Unlimited
• Tulsa Fly Fishers
• Washington Fly Fishing Club
• Waterwatch of Oregon
• White Mountain Fly Fishing Club
• Wildlife Forever (North American Hunting Club & North American Fishing Club)
• Wilderness Fly Fishers
• Wild Steelhead Coalition
• WorldCast Anglers

Retailers, Outfitters, Tackle Shops and Publications Opposed

• 7 Days Outdoors
• 7Eye
• Abel Quality Products
• Alagnak Lodge and PBi Alaska Inc.
• Alaska Jig Association
• Alaska Fly Anglers, Inc.
• AlaskaFlyFish.net
• Alaska Fly Fishing Adventures
• Alaska Flyfishing Goods
• Alaska Flyfish.net
• Alaska’s Legend Lodge
• Alaska Rainbow Adventures
• Alaska Sportsman’s Bear Trail Lodge
• Alaska Trophy Fishing Safaris
• Albright Tackle
• Alaska Salmon Camp, Inc.
• Alaska Wilderness Trips, Inc.
• Angler’s Obsession
• Angling Exploration Group
• Angling Trade magazine
• Barry & Cathy Beck
• Basser Millyard Pty, Ltd.
• Bauer Fly Reels
• Bear Bay Lodge
• Beck Photograpy – Cathy and Barry Beck
• Berkley Conservation Institute
• Beulah Fly Rods
• Big Sky Angler Outfitters
• Big Sky Inflatables, LLC
• Blue Mountain Lumber Co, Inc.
• Bob Marriott’s Flyfishing Store
• Bob Mitchell’s Fly Shop
• BossTin
• Brian O’Keefe
• Brian Russell
• Bristol Bay Adventures
• Bristol Bay Sportfishing
• California Fly Fisher
• California School of Flyfishing
• Canvasfish.com
• Cape Ommaney Lodge
• Capt. Kris Suplee Guide Services
• Carbon Flybox Co.
• Castaway Films
• Castlow Group
• Central Coast Fly Fishing
• Chota Outdoor Gear
• Clackacraft Drift Boats
• Classic Casting Adventures
• Cliff Outdoors
• Cloudveil
• Copper River Lodge
• CND Custom Design
• Cortland Line Co.
• Costa del Mar
• Crescent H Ranch
• Cumings Landing Nets
• Dan Bailey
• Deep Creek Flyfishers
• Deneki Outdoors
• Departure Publishing LLC
• Dr. Slick
• Dragon Tackle International Ltd.
• Duncan Enterprises – KL, Inc. dba Katmai Lodge
• Echo Rods / Rajeff Sports
• Elkhorn Fly Rod & Reel
• Epic Angling & Adventure, LLC
• European Fishing Tackle Trade Association
• Ex Officio
• Far Bank Enterprises
• Federation of Flyfishers
• Federation of Flyfishers, Southwest Council
• Fetha Styx
• Filson
• Fish & Fly Ltd.
• Fish Alaska Magazine
• Fishing with Fly Guide Service
• Fishpond
• Fladen Fishing AB
• Fly & Fly, Ltd.
• Fly Fishing Film Tour
• Fly Fisherman Magazine
• FlyfishMagazine.com
• Fly Logic
• Fly on the Wall Travels, LLC
• Flyfish Radio.com
• FlyFishMagazine.com
• Fly Fishing Show
• Fly Treks
• Fly Water Travel LLC
• Freestone Boatworks, Inc.
• Freestone Flyfishers
• Frontier Media, Inc.
• Frontiers Travel
• G. Loomis
• Gallatin River Lodge
• Galvan Fly Reels
• Gamakatsu
• Gamma Technologies
• Glacier Guides, Inc.
• Great Alaska International Adventures Vacations
• Great Lakes Fly Company
• Guideline
• H. Turrall & Co.
• Hackle Shack Fly Shop
• Halco
• Hardy & Greys Limited
• Hardy Greys North America
• Hatch Outdoors
• Hawaii Fishing & Boating Association
• Hendrix Outdoors
• High Country Flies
• Hitalga Guide Service, LLC
• HMH Vises
• Islander Precision Reels
• Jeff Bright Steelhead Flyfishing Expeditions
• Jeff Kennedy Studio
• Jim Teeny, Inc.
• Juneau Flyfishing Goods
• Kaenon Polarized
• Kachemak Guide Bureau
• Kenai River Cabins
• Korkers
• L.L. Bean
• Lateral Line
• Less Ferry Anglers/Cliff Dwellers Lodge
• Loon Outdoors
• LOOP
• Louie the Fish Guide Service
• Lucky Craft S.A.R.L.
• March Brown
• Marlows on the Kenai
• Marryat & Smith
• Marryat Reels
• Mason Tackle Company
• Mayfly Enterprises Ltd. (Waterwisp)
• Midwest Custom Fly Rods
• Mission Creek Lodge
• Monster Fish Import.com
• Montana Fish Man Guided Fishing
• Montana Fly Company
• Morris Sporting Group Publications
• Mulchatna Wilderness Lodge
• Mustad Ventures
• Naknek River Camp
• Nautilus Reels
• New Mexico Trout
• No Brainer Expeditions
• Norstream A.S.
• North American Media Group
• Northwest Anglers Experience
• Nushagak River Fishing Lodge
• Oakley
• Off the Beaten Path
• OPM Fishing Tackle, Ltd.
• Optic Nerve / Mountain Shades
• Orvis
• Outcast Sporting Gear
• Painter Creek Lodge
• Park City Outfitters
• Pat Ford Photography
• Patagonia
• Pure Fishing USA
• Prairie Pothole Consulting (PPC)
• Pro-Troll
• Rainbow Point Lodge LLC
• Rajeff Sports
• Rapids Camp Lodge
• Reel Wilderness Adventures
• Redington
• Renzetti
• Richard Wheatley Ltd.
• RIO
• Rising
• Ro Drift Boats
• Rollcast Productions
• Ross Reels
• Royal Coachman Lodge
• Royal Wolf Lodge
• RST – Angelgerate GmbH
• Ryan Anderson
• SAGE
• Saint Croix Rods
• St. Joe River Valley Fly Fishers
• San Jose Flycaster
• Scierra
• Scott Fly Rods
• Shadowcaster Charters
• Shallowfish.com
• SIMMS
• Sketch and Release
• Smith Sport Optics, Inc.
• Snake River Outfitters
• Snowbee USA
• Solvkroken A.S.
• Spinmade Oy
• Sportsystem AB
• StoneFly Vineyards
• Streamworks, Inc.
• Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
• Sweetwater Travel
• Targus
• Temple Fork Outfitters
• The Anglers Bookstore
• The Best of Kamchatka
• The Fly Fishing Show
• The Fly Shop – Travel Dept.
• The School of Fly Fishing
• The Stonefly Inn and Outfitters
• The Trout Underground
• The Waterworks/Lamson
• Thomas & Thomas Fly Rods
• Tibor Reel Corporation
• Tight Line Fly Fishing
• Togiak River Outfitters, LLC dba Togiak River Lodge
• Tosh Brown Photography
• Triangle Fly Fishers
• Turneffe Flats Resort – Belize
• Umpqua Feather Merchants
• USAonthefly.com
• Vision Group, Ltd.
• Vosseler Pro-Flyfishing
• Westwind Guide Service
• Wapsi
• Whitefish Studio
• Wilcox Marketing and Sales
• William Joseph
• Women’s Flyfishing
• Woolrich
• Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures
• Zalt AB
• Zpey System A.S.