Hot Issues...& What You Can Do

Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay, Alaska: A huge open pit mine for copper, gold, and molybdenum is being proposed for an area at the headwaters of streams flowing into Bristol Bay, Alaska. Due to the nature of such mining, it would bring huge risks to this fragile environment and its flourishing fisheries. From Alaska's Trout Unlimited:

The sulfide nature of the ore body means that it will generate acid mine drainage which will seep into the surface and groundwater and kill fish. Pebble will generate billions of tons of toxic tailings. The toxic wastewater will have to be contained and treated into perpetuity. Mining companies are notorious for going bankrupt after extracting the targeted minerals from the earth, leaving taxpayers to pay for expensive cleanup, containment, treatment, and the loss of habitat. None of these risks are acceptable in Bristol Bay.

Commercial fishing, sport fishing, Native American, and environmental groups are allies in opposition to this mine. The proposed mine is currently in regulatory review by various state and federal agencies.

For more information, go to:

• Pebble Mine Facts
• Pebble Mine, Alaskan mining, and the hidden facts
• Pebble Mine on Wikipedia

 

For advocacy and additional reading, see:

• Bristol Bay Alliance
• Stop Pebble Mine
• Save Bristol Bay
• Sportsman's Alliance for Alaska

 

Conservation News, Information & Group Efforts

• Blue Ocean Institute: Online Seafood Guide (Sustainable fish), FishPhone app
• California Fisheries Network
• CSPA News
• 1% For The Planet: For a list of companies that donate 1% of their profits towards conservation causes, see the 1% For The Planet website and their great video.

Local Restoration Efforts

• Walnut Creek Restoration Master Plan

 

The Delta: Water, Fish & Farms, Oh My

• Big Player in Water Plan Pulls Out
• Bay Area Coalition Calls Delta Plan a Water Grab
• Striped Bass: Delta Villains?
• Delta Stewardship Council

 

Fish Farming & Genetically Modified Salmon

• This Genetically Altered Salmon Is No Fish Story
• GM food battle moves to fish as super-salmon nears US approval
• For the low-down on ocean fish farming, see Food and Water Watch, particularly the pages Ocean Fish Farming Fact Sheet and H.R. 574: Protecting our Oceans, Coastal Communities and Consumers from Ocean Factory Fish Farming.

 

Fish & Game Warden Stamp

In California, 385 Game Wardens patrol and protect 159,000 square miles of California's natural habitat.

The California Game Warden Stamp can now be purchased for $5 at DFG regional and licensing offices or by sending in this form (PDF). The inaugural stamp is a decal which can be proudly displayed to show your support for the work wardens do. All proceeds will be deposited into a special account and used to provide important tools for the 385 fish and game wardens statewide. Read more...