Save Bristol Bay

Bristol Bay is one of the few places on Earth where wild salmon still thrive. During the summers of 2009 and 2010, some 80 million sockeye returned to spawn in Bristol Bay's tapestry of lakes, rivers and streams. But the beauty and richness of this wild salmon stronghold faces unprecedented threats from large-scale mining projects.  The biggest of these is called Pebble. Situated in the headwaters of two of Bristol Bay's most important rivers – the Nushagak and the Kvichak -- the proposed Pebble Mine could be the largest open-pit mine in North America. The industrial footprint of this massive sulfide deposit, if developed, could span anywhere from 15 to 54 square miles. According to preliminary designs filed with the State of Alaska, the mine could require the world's largest earthen dam, some 4.3 miles long and 700 feet high, to contain billions of tons of mining waste. The risk of acid mine drainage, heavy metal leakage, toxic dust and huge water withdrawals are just some of the myriad threats that Pebble poses to Bristol Bay and its salmon spawning grounds.

Trout Unlimited is working with a diverse coalition of fishermen, tribes, guides, outfitters, chefs, restaurant owners, business owners, scientists and others to stop the proposed Pebble mine from moving forward and to keep the rich trout and salmon waters of Bristol Bay intact.

• Learn more and join TU's efforts to protect Bristol Bay.
• Learn more about our Savor Bristol Bay program.