Why Bristol Bay Forever...
I am re-posting this opinion piece
that I did on the Bristol Bay Forever initiative that was passed by Alaskan
voters in the 2014 General Election by an almost double margin. However, I was actually shocked several times
in the last month when talking to candidates for both State and Federal seats
that had no idea that this even happened, much less any of the details. So here’s a refresher with a few links at the
bottom of the page.
Originally Posted: July 26,
2014
For the past decade the majority of the people in the Bristol Bay region have been embroiled in a political battle with foreign corporations and Our Own state. At issue is development of industrial scale mining in the headwaters of the Mulchatna, Nushagak and Kvichak Rivers. This watershed provides about a third of the World's Salmon and many other species of tasty seafood as well. Bristol Bay is one of the last Wild fisheries left globally and The State of Alaska's corporatist government in Juneau has set it's sights on helping foreign corporations destroy the region for foreign benefit.
The Bristol Bay Forever initiative isn't about adding additional restrictions to the current regulations regarding mining. What it is about is fixing the actions of the past 2 1/2 Alaska Governors and the legislatures that faltered in their sworn duties. In the past decade We The People of Alaska have been grossly misrepresented in Juneau while lobbyists, influence peddlers and bucketmilkers have taken control of Our government and resources. A 'Yes' vote will create a legislative process to approve any large-scale resource development in Bristol Bay. As part of this, We The People will gain a seat at the table which was taken from Us by the current Governor when he coerced the legislature to allow the Coastal Zone Management Program to sunset and subsequently supported the opposition to a referendum to reinstate the program.
Much like the Repeal SB21 vote... this all really boils down to is that the big dollar outside and foreign resource extraction industry has hijacked Juneau from We The People of Alaska and America. In regards to the Tribes of Bristol Bay asking that the US EPA initiate the 404c portion of the Clean Water Act, this was done because We The People felt as if no one in Alaska was listening and that the State of Alaska had already sold Us down the river. No one wants more regulations and government controls out here, because that exactly what created this situation to begin with.
The Power of Government belongs to We The People of Alaska and supporting the Bristol Bay Forever initiative aims at restoring just that. When the lobbyists spend tens of millions in Juneau to control Our government, It's time to make sure that the voices of We The People are amplified even more.
So when you head to the polls on November 4th... Remember that the Alaska Constitution addresses this clearly... The resources and the government belong to Us...Vote Yes on Bristol Bay Forever!
More Info Here:
http://www.elections.alaska.gov/petitions/12BBAY/12BBAY-Sponsors-Prop-Bill-Lang.pdf
Original
Post: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201729497753632&set=a.1191325437733.24394.1666304791&type=3&theater
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An initiative passed by
voters last fall directing any mining in the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve to
require legislative approval was upheld in a decision last month by the Alaska
Supreme Court. -> http://www.thebristolbaytimes.com/article/1507court_holds_up_bristol_bay_initiative
Learn More-> http://voteforbristolbay.org/learn-ballot-measure-4/