Bristol Bay Forever Act, Explained

Permanently protecting Bristol Bay from large-scale mining.

Tragically, wild salmon runs are diminishing around Alaska, but Bristol Bay’s remain strong.

In a highly-controversial diversion from past plans, nearly 20 years ago Bristol Bay was carved up into a mining district. Now, more than 20 mining proposals in the region leave Bristol Bay’s fish habitat at risk.

Introducing:

“An Act prohibiting certain mining activities within the watershed of the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve.”

This bill (HB 233) would protect the entirety of the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve from large-scale mines like Pebble.

The legislation would ban the type of mining that is most harmful to salmon, called metallic sulfide mining, throughout the existing Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve.

What does the bill do?

Additional Layer of Protection:

While there are Clean Water Act protections at the Pebble deposit, the need for comprehensive salmon protections has never been stronger. This bill would create Bristol Bay protections made and maintained by the State of Alaska.

Wider Geographic Protections:

This bill would ensure all rivers and streams in the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve remain free from harmful and toxic mining activities and safeguard salmon permanently. Existing federal protections are important, but only apply to the Pebble deposit, leaving the rest of the Reserve at risk from more than 20 active mining claims.

What is the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve?

Oil and gas development is currently prohibited without legislative approval within the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve. The Reserve was established by the Alaska Legislature with Governor Jay Hammond's leadership in 1972, marking more than a half century of state-based efforts to safeguard the unique region.

Support this bill!

The form on our website will help you quickly send a letter to your elected officials requesting they support this bill. We encourage you to edit the letter template below to personalize why you support a prohibition of mines like Pebble in Bristol Bay.

Note on timing: The bill was introduced at the end of a busy first legislative session. Since the Legislature operates on a two session cycle over two years, the bill will automatically be up for consideration when the legislature reconvenes in January 2026.

For a printable version of this information, click here.