Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska

May 9, 2013 Newsletter

It has been a busy spring for SAA, especially with work on the Bristol Bay campaign front. SAA has been on the road in Montana (twice), New York City, Washington D.C., Minnesota, and Texas in the past two months. Support for EPA taking action to protect Bristol Bay now exceeds 925 angling and hunting groups and businesses (see letter here, updated Aug. 2013)! For a comprehensive list of news items, you can always visit the Latest News page on the SAA Web site. This newsletter will be brief and will focus on the major news that broke just over a week ago – EPA has taken the next step in its study of proposed mining in Bristol Bay…

TIME TO ACT IS NOW!
EPA releases revised draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment
Agency accepting public comments through May 31

On Friday, April 26, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency released its revised draft watershed assessment for Bristol Bay. This moves us one step closer, but it means more work.

Based on over 230,000 public comments, public meetings held in Seattle, Anchorage, and a number of Bristol Bay communities, and a review by an independently selected panel of expert peer scientists, EPA has released revisions to the draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment.

Public comments will be taken through May 31, 2013. The salmon of Bristol Bay – and the jobs and culture they support – need you to submit your comments through the Save Bristol Bay Action Center.

• The revised draft watershed assessment and executive summary may be viewed on the EPA's official Bristol Bay Web site.
• View the official EPA fact sheet which summarizes changes in the revised draft watershed assessment.
• Trout Unlimited expressed the need for EPA to take action based on the revised assessment in this press release.
• Commercial fishing businesses voiced their support for the watershed assessment in this press release.
• SAA Director Scott Hed did a Q&A with American Angler magazine regarding the revised watershed assessment.

See the Latest News page for much more media coverage about this critical development.

And not like you needed the incentive, but Crystal Creek Lodge is very generously giving away a trip for two people in 2014! To qualify, you need to submit your comment and encourage up to six of your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. Click the image for full details.

Random Recent Shots from the Bristol Bay Campaign…

Signing up supporters in Missoula, MT © Rich Stuber		Taking the message right to the top! © Capt. Brad Petzke
“This is where we draw the line.” © Tackle Trade World		Meeting guides at Simms Ice Out with AFFTA’s Ben Bulis © TTW
Supporter K.C. Walsh of Simms Fishing Products © TTW		Bristol Bay connections in Montana – From left: guide Dave Goodhart, Dan Vermillion of Sweetwater Travel, SAA’s Scott Hed, guide Whitney Gould © Ben Bulis / American Fly Fishing Trade Association

Other Ways to Support SAA and the Fight for Fishing and Hunting in Alaska

SAA is grateful for the generous support of individuals, businesses, and foundations. Your donations allow SAA to continue to work on efforts to protect prime fishing and hunting habitats in the Last Frontier for the benefit of current and future sportsmen and women. Make your donations online at the secure online donation page; all amounts are accepted and appreciated – SAA is a lean, mean, one-man operation but it takes funding to do this work. For donations of the following amounts, please include “SAA” and indicate what item you’d like to receive in the “comment” box on the donation page.

$25 Red Gold documentary DVD ($25 value) $25 Salmon in the Trees hardcover book (3 copies available, $30 value) $100 Simms Ultralight Shirt with Sportsmen for Bristol Bay logo ($100 value) $125 4-in-1 Alaska giclee print by Derek DeYoung (13” x 19”, $120 value) $125 Abel "No Pebble Mine" nippers with lanyard ($125 value)	Simms shirt
“4-in-1 Alaska” by Derek DeYoung	Abel nippers

(If you have any questions on how to donate, email scott@sportsmansalliance4ak.org.)

Pro Guide Direct – Your Gear Purchases Yield 15% for SAA

And…An Easy Online Shopping Portal to Support SAA

Thanks for caring about Alaska conservation. Your support and actions will ensure a future for Alaska’s fish and game and for coming generations of sportsmen and women to enjoy them.

Scott Hed
Director, Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska

Watch Dan Michels of Crystal Creek Lodge tell you why he’s giving away a trip to help save Bristol Bay.

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