Alaskans deliver thousands of postcards to Senator Lisa Murkowski seeking protection for Bristol Bay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alannah Hurley, United Tribes of Bristol Bay (907) 843-1633 or girlasue@gmail.com Nelli Williams, Trout Unlimiteds Alaska Program (907) 230-7127 or nwilliams@tu.orgAlaskans deliver thousands of postcards to Senator Lisa Murkowski seeking protection for Bristol BayANCHORAGE (September 29, 2015) A group of Alaskans representing Bristol Bay tribes and businesses will deliver thousands of postcards to Senator Lisa Murkowskis office today expressing their continued support for strong protections for the salmon-rich region. The postcards send a clear message to the Senator and the Alaska Delegation that tribal members, fishermen, and residents remain strongly united against the proposed Pebble mine and any large-scale mining that would harm salmon within the watershed.Todays delivery is yet another example where tribal members are overjoyed and thankful to have the support of thousands of Alaskans in our fight to protect Bristol Bay, said Alannah Hurley, Executive Director of United Tribes of Bristol Bay. These comments send a loud and clear message that once again Alaskans understand mines like Pebble are not worth the risk to our culture, our fishery, and our state.In total, over 8,000 comments from Alaskans, collected over the past summer, will be delivered in a meeting this morning. The comments call for the Senator to support Bristol Bay fish and jobs by rejecting the Pebble mine proposal. The comment delivery comes on the heels of President Obamas visit to the region, during which he referred to Bristol Bay as, one of the most important resources the United States has.This large number of postcards from Alaskans reaffirms that Bristol Bay wild salmon are highly valued, and that this value crosses the political spectrum, said Nelli Williams, Trout Unlimiteds Alaska Program Director. Despite the Pebble Limited Partnerships attempts to undermine and delay the protections Alaskans are asking for, we have spoken up time and again, and will continue to do so until Bristol Bays salmon and everything that depends on them are safe from the risks posed by mining.In August, a new public opinion survey (http://bit.ly/1VnedRi) showed a majority of Alaskans remain opposed to the Pebble proposal, viewing it as too risky for the Bristol Bay watershed.### United Tribes of Bristol Bay is a tribal consortium working to protect the Yupik, Denaina, and Alutiq way of life and the Bristol Bay watershed from large-scale mining. Learn more about our work at www.utbb.org Trout Unlimited is the nations oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization. In Alaska, we work with sportsmen and women to ensure the states trout and salmon resources remain healthy far into the future through our local chapters and offices in Anchorage and Juneau. Follow TU on Facebook and Twitter, and visit us online at tu.org. Learn more about our work to protect Bristol Bay at savebristolbay.org.