Compleat Thought » cause

Pebble Debate Is Heating Up…

kyleindenver — Thu, 19 May 2011 00:51:42 +0000

It’s that time of year again. Lodges, Guides, and anglers from all over the world will flock to Bristol Bay in Alaska to experience some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the world. As we look at the coming year, it’s going to be an important one. The Pebble Partnership is moving forward and expects to start the permit process to drill one of the largest open pit mines in the very near future. This has caused many organizations to ‘put up their dukes’ and again express concern over such a massive project that will most inevitably harm one of the most prolific salmon runs in the world.

When you go to a store or restaurant and order wild salmon, it’s most likely coming from this region in southwest Alaska. For me, living in Colorado, I release every trout I catch, then on the way home, buy a big slab of wild Alaskan salmon to grill up for the family (yes, the dogs like it as much as we do). I catch heat from my wife because every restaurant we visit that says it has ‘salmon’, I always ask if it’s wild Alaskan.

There are so many reasons to disagree with this proposed mining project that I can’t begin to start writing about them. The fact is, this takes place in a region that where millions of salmon return every year to spawn. What happens when the earthen dams that will be developed to hold back toxic waste fail, or are left behind once all gold and copper are extracted? Remember folks, there’s a lot of earthquakes in this area. It’s a down right scary situation. We’ve seen from other similar processes that the track record is not the best. Pebble says that everything can co-exist, but give me one example where it has be environmentally safe with no exceptions.

I call on everyone reading this to simply look at the research and make your own opinion – I think that you will agree with the local people of Bristol Bay and oppose it. Maybe some of you won’t, and that’s ok, but I don’t live there, and most of you don’t either, so why not listen to what the locals want and don’t want. Education is key – everyone should at least pay attention to this process and feel free to state your opinion. We’re Americans, and we’re given that right.

Here are a few links to keep up with the news and process of the proposed Pebble Mine:

Save Bristol Bay

Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska

Renewable Resources Coalition

Also, some social media outlets:

Save Bristol Bay on Facebook

1 Million Strong on Facebook

Save Bristol Bay on Twitter

No Pebble Mine on Twitter

Thanks to everyone who opposes or questions this mine and what it could do to the region. If you’re interested, leave a comment below. I have a limited amount stickers available if anyone would like a few to show your support.

Red Gold | trailer from felt soul media on Vimeo.

Colorado Lawmakers Should Be Ashamed

kyleindenver — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:15:56 +0000

As you may recall, I put up a post last fall urging people to sign a petition to introduce a bill to the Colorado House in support of a new license plate bill that would support river restoration and clean water in Colorado. The petition received nearly 4,000 signatures, far exceeding the number needed to introduce the bill.

A Colorado House Committee rejected the ‘Protect Our Rivers’ license plate bill on Monday. And why? Oh, maybe it was because Trout Unlimited said it would not use the $25 fee (or hopes of raising $75,000) for any litigation or lobbying. Wait. What? Or maybe it was because most of the committee lists their occupations as “ranchers”. Wait. What? Or maybe it was because we use so many tourism dollars to restore and keep rivers healthy. Wait. What?

Unfortunately this shows how much interest our state electives care about their constituents and clean water in Colorado. It doesn’t make any sense at all to turn something like this down – unless your corporate influences are whispering sweet nothings in your ear. Shame on you Colorado. And shame on you Paul Brown, Marsha Looper, Jerry Sonnenberg, and Don Coram. If I see you on a ballot anytime soon, I’ll be remembering this decision.

Felt Bans – Coming to a state near you…

kyleindenver — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:45:58 +0000

Well folks, looks like it’s time to retire those old felt soles and get yourself a new hip pair of sticky rubber. Following Alaska, Oregon, and other states, Montana has put forth an initiative to ban the use of felt soles (except of course in cases of emergency).

The initiative states:

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Use of felt-soled boots and waders prohibited.

(1) A person may not use external felt-soled boots or external felt-soled waders in the waters of the state.

(2) The possession of external felt-soled boots or external felt-soled waders on the banks or shores of a stream or lake or in a boat, raft, canoe, or other water vessel is prima facie evidence that the person or persons in whose possession the boots or waders are found were using the boots or waders in the waters of the state.

(3) The provisions of this section do not apply to a state or federal employee or emergency personnel, including fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical technicians, using external felt-soled boots or external felt-soled waders when acting within the scope of duty.

My first thought is that at least someone is doing something to combat this problem, but my second is, well, Don’t Tread On Me. I know boat inspections and warning signs are everywhere, but an actual ban is, in my mind, is a little odd. I’ve always done my best to wash and dry everything I’m taking to different rivers. Since these invasive species have been around Colorado for some time, I’ve tried to do my best in my cleaning practices. Though, it’s surprising to me that states without such a widespread (or known) problems are taking steps before states where it lurks on every stream.

But I can’t help but ask the question – what does federal/state government and emergency personel mean? Are they saying that they get a pass ‘just in case they’re caught’, or that in fact felt is better than other soles and may help their efforts? I’d like to know. Also, If someone were to own a pair of Korkers, but have felt inserts in their truck – is that a violation? I don’t get it. I still have to wash and dry my boots (because of shoelaces, etc.), my waders, my boat, etc. I can see why felt would hold more of these species, but why are we implementing laws that only target a small part of the problem. Why not educate, inspire – or shit, force other rules upon our brotheren?

Let it be known that I have never had a better grip than felt on the San Juan, portions of The Blue, or even the Gunny. Rubber will advance, but for now, I’ll be keeping my felt around as long as possible (and, I’ll be responsible).

It really doesn’t matter what I say – get ready folks, felt bans are coming to a state near you.

Plus, the NBA banned a certain sole – though I don’t think it carries the same species… Maybe they’ll work on the river, no?

Project Permit

kyleindenver — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:34:30 +0000

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Costa Del Mar have teamed to create Project Permit beginning March 14th. The program’s goal is to encourage anglers to tag over 6,000 permit as they’re out fishing this season. The data that is delivered over the next five years will serve to guide policy and regulations formed by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission.

So, all you anglers out there in Florida, please visit http://www.projectpermit.com or contact bonefish@mote.org for more information. Project Permit will kick off on March 14 in Key West at the March Merkin fishing tournament.

Grab your tagging kits and help out a good cause!