Pebble Mine

WHAT IT IS
A Canadian mining corporation wants to create one of North America's largest open-pit gold-copper mines within a much larger potential mining district in the headwaters of Bristol Bay.  At the core of Pebble Mine complex, covering some 15 square miles, would be an open pit measuring approximately two miles long, a mile and half wide and 1,700 feet deep.  Over its lifetime, it will produce 2.5 BILLION TONS of waste.  The proposed Pebble Mine, which would be the first of many in the area, would include the largest dam in the world, larger than Three Gorges Dam in China, and made of earth not concrete, to hold back the toxic waste created in the mining process.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?
The Pebble Mine site lies in the heart of WORLD CLASS TROUT and SALMON STREAMS, a land veined with brooks and rivulets, riddled with pools and puddles.  In addition, Bristol Bay is home to the WORLD'S LARGEST commercial wild salmon fishery; many of those fish spawn in the Kvichak and other tributaries in the Iliamna Lake area.

Sport fishermen spend nearly $60 million a year to experience the prize fishing in this area.  Almost every fly shop or tackle manufacturer in the world likely earns some portion of their living from people fishing in this area.  The harvest and processing of Bristol Bay fish generates nearly $320 million a year and provides jobs for some 12,500 people . 

Year after year, Bristol Bay produces MILLIONS OF FISH worth hundreds of millions of dollars, like no other place in the world.

The efforts to stop this mine are being supported by a very broad coalition of individual anglers, commercial anglers, lodge owners, hunters, locals who see this as a threat to their future.
 
HOW TO FIND MORE INFO
TU Alaska
Renewable Resources Coalition
Red Gold Trailer
Federation of Fly Fishers
Ted Williams Article

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
This is an issue that simply can't wait and AFFTA encourages you to get involved in any way you can to support this effort.  The links below provide just a few of many ways to get involved.
http://www.savebristolbay.org/c.gqLTI4OzGlF/b.2802909/k.DF5D/Speak_Up/siteapps/advocacy/ActionCenter.aspx
http://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/action_center.htm

Marine Protected Areas

What it is

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be valuable tools for conserving the nation's natural and cultural marine resources when implemented as part of an ecosystem approach to management. Within the United States are many types of MPAs including some that conserve natural heritage, cultural heritage or are managed to sustain resource production.  There are also hundreds of federal, state, territorial and tribal MPA authorities overseeing these MPAs.  Each MPA site is typically managed by its own authority and therefore has its own unique requirements, terminology and levels of protection.  There is not, at present, a nationally coordinated approach through which MPAs might work together effectively to protect the nation's natural and cultural marine resources.  The recreational fishing community must make it a priority to educate its grassroots constituency on how MPAs are designated and administered because of the dramatic impact they can have on sportfishing.

What's at stake

The experience with MPAs in California shows what's at stake for recreational fishing.  In 1999 California passed the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).  Implementation of the MLPA poses serious questions about the future of marine and sportfishing in California and presents our community a serious challenge because:

Many decisions made pursuant to the MPLA could harm recreational fishing interests.  The process for influencing this decision making process is complex and difficult for the public to understand;

At present, statewide, anglers are not organized to participate in this process or for successful opposition to large unwarranted MLPA authorized sportfishing closures;

Environment groups supporting such closures under the MLPA are already well-funded and some have invested in a state/private partnership to fund the implementation of the MLPA in ways that are not in the best interest of recreational fishing;

Environment groups supporting recreational fishing closures appropriate within California MPAs have already invested heavily in media campaigns to achieve their goals;

Recreational fishing interests do not, as yet, have a clear message defending their interests within the MLPA process, nor do they have an organization capable of effectively delivering such a message.

It is clear from this example in California that while the MPAs mission nationally was to maintain sustainable production of natural resources, state level implementation is allowing environmental groups to push the process further than was intended.  If the California model is followed throughout the U.S. it could have a dramatic negative impact on recreational fishing opportunities across the United States.

Call To Action:
Keep yourself and your community educated on Marine Protected Areas. Learn more about MPAs and the California Marine Protection Act through support of AFFTA and through ASA (American Sportfishing Association).

Go to ASA Government Affairs page to see more about this issue and others http://www.asafishing.org/asa/government/index.html

Go to http://www.keepamericafishing.org/california_info.asp to learn more about this initiative and upcoming meetings that need your attention as they relate to California Marine Life Protection Act.

Go to http://mpa.gov to learn more about MPA's and the initiativLearn more about MPAs and the California Marine Protection Act through support of AFFTA and through ASA (American Sportfishing Association).

Balancing Energy Development

We understand the challenges our country faces in seeking to discover and produce additional energy resources within the US. But we need to understand and not buy off on private industry's current plans, with government's approval, the extraction of energy that negatively impacts our hunting and fishing opportunities, along with the future sustainability of our natural resources.
 
As an example, highlight the efforts in the Rocky Mountain West of oil and gas development that is occurring at an unprecedented rate. Since 1996, 25.5 million acres have been leased in this geographic area with millions of acres of wildlife habitat already being converted to industrial zones carved by drill pads, roads, power lines and pipelines. The pace and intensity of this development are quickly overwhelming the ability of wildlife to adapt to a changing landscape.
 
While the number of wells has been increasing in the Rocky Mountain States, the spacing between wells has been falling to 20 acres or less in many of these fields, posing threats to wildlife habitat. The poster child highlighting the negative impact that energy development can bring is readily seen in the Pinedale, WY area. This area has gained notoriety in many national publications about its negative impact to wildlife, the changing culture of this small town and impact to tourism in the state of WY.
 
The West's fish and wildlife belong to the people of these states and all Americans. We have the right and obligation to demand that these irreplaceable resources be protected.
Our message is to hold accountable, state and federal agencies along with the energy companies, by having them develop long term conservation strategies to assure protection of our valuable natural resources and wildlife, before leases are approved and a final extraction process is given.
 
Call to Action
Inform your customers of the threats that energy development can pose.
Join a local group and other groups working to protect one of your favorite places to fish.

Contact your local Senate and House Member, as well as those in the Rocky Mountain regions, to let them know your stance on this important issue.

Use your website to educate your customers on this important issue.
Support groups working aggressively to protect our lands and provide information on the issues.
 
For more detailed information, check out these organizations who are aggressively working on the energy development issues.
 
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
The Wilderness Society
Our Public Lands
Trout Unlimited

Invasive Species

Most anglers have heard the term Invasive Species and recognize some of the infamous aquatic nuisance names of Whirling Disease, New Zealand Mud Snails, Didymo and Zebra Mussels. But anglers need to be aware that one of our most challenging and complex environmental issues impacting our fisheries worldwide is the continued spread and danger from both plant and aquatic Invasive Species.
 
The dramatic impact that state, local and federal agencies are seeing as a result of these invasives is the reduction of game fish populations, fouling pristine waters, ruining recreational equipment and making lakes and rivers unusable for all our aquatic recreation users therefore impacting our economy. Additionally, these harmful species are dramatically increasing operating costs of everyday things we all take for granted -drinking water, reducing property values and reducing native species populations and are ultimately degrading ecosystems.
 
Fantastic waters like the Yellowstone, Deschutes, Madison, Great Lakes along with many rivers across the country from California to Vermont are some of the aquatic systems that are experiencing negative impacts from invasive species such as New Zealand Mudsnails, Whirling Disease, Didymo and Zebra Mussels.
 
The frightening thing is these invasive species are angler spread through their gear and boats, and can very well end up impacting your local waters. We all must act to assure the sustainability of our fishing resource and your future business.  Whether you are an outfitter, dealer, angler or boater, there are simple things to can do to educate the angler and have them take simple steps to readily stop the transmission of invasive species.
 
These simple steps one can take to prevent the spread of these invasive species.
 
1.        Remove all dirt, plants and other materials from your gear or boat before you leave a body of water.
2.        Thoroughly rinse your gear or boat with clean water.
3.        Thoroughly dry your gear. Consider keeping two sets of wading boots, and alternate their use between drying.
4.        Never transport plants, animals or water from one body of water to another.
5.        Never dispose of bait, fish or fish parts in any body of water.
6.        Find out what invasives are in the waters you fish and recreate in.
7.        Report illegal activities.
 
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO
 
If you are a manufacturer, outfitter or dealer, take a leadership position and join the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers Program. It is free, takes only a few minutes and will provide you and your customers  continual information.  www.protectyourwaters.net.
 
Additional websites for you to review:
www.whirlingdisease.com
www.montana.edu.nzms
 www.fedflyfishers.com
 
Add Invasive Species information and actions to your company website and blog.

Involve your local fishing groups and grassroots organizations in this effort.

Put up signs in your store and have your guides educate their clients about this threat.

Place a stock tank or receptacle at your store so customers and guided trips can soak their gear while obtaining flies, tippets and licenses.

If you are a manufacturer, add informational insert cards in waders and shoes to provide the warning and action steps to address these threats.
 
Commonly Spread Invasive Threats by Trout Anglers

New Zealand Mudsnail
This aquatic invasive species was first discovered in the U.S. in the Snake River in Idaho. It was thought to have been introduced in the water with live game fish. Since that time, it has now spread to 10 different Western states, 3 National Parks and Lake Ontario, primarily by anglers through their wading gear, river users and through ballast water in ships coming from Europe.
The mudsnails can reproduce asexually and very rapidly. In the U.S., there are no natural predators or parasites to control them like they have in their home country. Because of their rapid reproduction, they can take over streams very quickly. They compete with native snails and insects for food. This leads to sharp declines in native snail and insect populations. Fish populations then suffer because the native snails and water insects are the main food source for fish. When a fish tries to feed on New Zealand mudsnails, the mudsnail provides as little as 2 percent of the nutritional value of native snails and insects.
These mudsnails are impressively resilient. A snail can live for 24 hours out of water. They can survive 50 days on a damp surface like the felt on a wading shoe, giving them ample time to be transferred to another body of water. They can even survive passing through the digestive tract of a fish.
The snail can grow up to a 1/4 inch (6 mm) with 1/8 inch (3 mm) being the size at which they begin to reproduce. They take 6 to 9 months to reach sexual maturity. They can reproduce every 3 months with 20-120 offspring. For instance, in under a decade, snail densities have gone from undetectable levels to 10,000 to 500,000 snails per square meter in streambeds in Yellowstone National Park.
What can you do to prevent the spread of New Zealand mudsnails? Each time you leave the water:
Remove any mud, plants fish or animals before transporting equipment.

Eliminate all water from equipment used.

Clean and dry anything that came in contact with water. If you can, allow equipment to dry for 5 days before using.

Do not release or put plants, fish or animals into another body of water
 
Didymo - Rock Snot
Lurking in your favorite fishing stream is the latest menace to our fisheries: rock Snot. Formally called Didymosphenia geminata, or didymo, this aquatic invasive species is threatening streams across the United States. The first time I saw what many cells of this algae could do to a stream in a wildlife agency video, my jaw dropped. Thick carpets covered all the boulders, and chunks and strands of algae tissue were floating downstream. This can't be good for all the macro invertebrates that rely on the rocks for habitat, I thought immediately and also not good for the fish that rely on them for food.
 
This single-celled organism is gaining attention in rivers around the world. Didymo has been documented in many places across North America historically; only recently it has been expanding its range and increasing in density.  Didymo is a versatile alga. It's found at temperatures between 32 degrees and 80 degrees F, and can grow in slow moving, shallow waters as well as waters with greater depth and swift currents. The nutrients in the water also determine where you will find didymo. The puzzling thing about didymo is it doesn't act like most algae; it blooms in waters with very low levels of nutrients. Most algae blooms, like red tide for example, bloom with excessive amounts of fertilizers and high nutrients.  Other locations across North America have experienced excessive algal growth, but not of the same magnitude as locations in New Zealand. Places in North America that have experienced blooms of didymo include the South Fork of the American River, California; Kootenai River, Montana; Rapid Creek, South Dakota; White River, Arkansas; Deer River, Alberta, Canada; and numerous rivers on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. 
 
Whirling Disease
Whirling Disease is a metazoan parasite that penetrates the head and spinal cartilage of fingerling trout, where it multiplies rapidly, putting pressure on the organ of equilibrium. This causes the fish to swim erratically (whirl), and have difficulty feeding and avoiding predators. In severe infections, the disease causes high mortality rates in young-of-the-year fish. Those that survive until the cartilage hardens to bone can live a normal life span, but are marred by skeletal deformities. Fish can reproduce without passing on the parasite to their offspring.

This minute organism, native to the Eurasian continent, was introduced into North America in the late 1950's. Thus far, the severe damage has been to the wild rainbow trout populations, although many other salmonid species can become infected.

Regardless of species, when an infected fish dies, many thousands to millions of parasite spores are released in the water. This spore can withstand freezing and desiccation, and survive in a stream for 20-30 years. It then must be ingested by its alternate host, a tiny and common worm called the Tubifex, where the spore will take on the form that once again will infect trout. This parasite will continue to spread to drainages through birds, animals and humans.

NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Over 2 million small dams block the life-preserving passage of migratory fish in U.S. streams and rivers.  Dams provide numerous benefits for modern society, but they also contribute to the overall degradation occurring in estuaries, deltas, and river environments.  With a life expectancy of about 50 years, scores of dams have outlived their usefulness--dilapidated and decrepit they have become a safety hazard and liability risk to communities.  Meanwhile, these dams and aging culverts continue to block fish from their natal spawning grounds.   
Many communities and private landowners want to remove dams they own, but often lack the resources to do so. The Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) is designed to help where funding is an issue.  By providing grants to help remove these derelict barriers, the ORI aims to initiate an environmental and economic renewal in local communities.

What's at Stake:
Many of these barriers over the years have caused the loss and degradation of spawning habitat for anadromous fish. In addition to limited returns they have further been an impediment to the limited numbers of smolt as they make their way back to the ocean through these same barriers causing higher mortality in young of the year. With over 2 million small dams and barriers in place across the country, causing fewer and fewer returning fish to these streams, the loss of recreational fly fishing and sportfishing is and has been real.
Projects to date removing obsolete low head dams and other blockages has opened hundreds of miles of vitally important habitat to fish that rely on migrating through rivers to spawn. Dam removal has boosted local economies with dramatically improved recreational fishing opportunities. By coming forth with a new funding source to remove more dams and barriers, NOAA has responded to one of the most important fisheries management problems in the United States.

What can you do?
Open Rivers Initiative was established to help augment the removal of these structures and barriers to help restore the natural habitat needed to gain a foot hold for returning fish stocks across the country. Support and education on this critical initiative will help to maintain or increase funding for the program in the future, and ensure that vitally important habitat is restored to fish that rely on migrating upriver to spawn.
We at AFFTA will be looking at the process of implementation and funding of projects under these programs and will be contacting you to gain support for the ORI. Alternatively, if you have a major impediment that fits this criteria contact us and we will help you get this considered as a project of your own.

To read more about the Open Rivers Initiative go to:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/ORI

To read more about the introduction of this historic initiative go to TRCP at:
http://www.trcp.org/pr_noaarivers.aspx