Dast2Dast

Bristol Bay is at the epicenter of a sustainable seafood industry that's worth $2 billion annually. It makes no sense to allow oil and gas drilling that would put Bristol Bay's fisheries and its rich arctic marine biodiversity at risk, yet would generate only $7.7 billion total over 25 to 40 years of operation.

Now is the time to speak out -- a House committee is expected to vote next Tuesday, 05/22/2007, on whether to make Bristol Bay off limits to energy development for one year.

Currently, there are no restrictions on energy development in Bristol Bay. A moratorium had been in place for many years, but Congress removed it in 2003 and President Bush lifted a presidential ban in January. As a result, the U.S. Minerals Management Service proposes to lease the area for oil and gas development by 2011.

In addition to supporting one of the most valuable commercial fisheries, Bristol Bay's marine and coastal resources support a key hunting and sport fishing industry and provide critical cultural and subsistence values for Alaska Natives. Bristol Bay is one of the most important places for marine wildlife populations in the Bering Sea.

Offshore oil and gas development in Bristol Bay poses multiple risks, from disturbance to whales caused by seismic testing, to the potential for catastrophic oil spills like the Exxon Valdez disaster. An oil spill in Bristol Bay would have devastating impacts with little chance of a complete recovery.

Ask your members of Congress to cosponsor a bill that would permanently protect Bristol Bay from the high risks of oil and gas development.

Please forward this message to others who might help save Bristol Bay

You can make a big difference for the fish, whales, seabirds and other marine life of Bristol Bay and the millions of people who benefit from the health of this unique ecosystem.

~ source WWF