Mining News: News Nuggets: Fish committee moves Bristol Bay bill

The Alaska House Fisheries Committee April 7 passed Bristol Bay Fisheries Act (HB 119). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, would require commissioners of the Natural Resources, Environmental Conservation and Fish and Game departments to determine that it has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt that any large-scale mine permitted for the Bristol Bay region would not constitute a danger to the fisheries. This would add to a ballot measure approved by Alaska voters in 2014 that requires the Alaska Legislature to approve any large-scale metallic sulfide mine in the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve. “If a project is sound enough to successfully go through the permitting process, garner legislative approval, and be signed off on by the commissioners of DNR, DEC, and Fish and Game, then it’s a good project. If it’s not, then it’s not something that should be allowed to go forward,” Josephson added. HB 119 has been referred to the House Resources and Finance committees for additional consideration.

—Shane Lasley

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