use of a $7 million federal earmark to facilitate it. Ethics questions were raised about her and her husband Todd's participation. Jay Hammond State Game Refuge A proposal to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to create a fish refuge in the Koktuli and Talarik watersheds was supported by mine opponents and opposed by Northern Dynasty. The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted to create a panel to study the proposal (which could decide to recommend a refuge to the legislature). Both sides claimed this as a victory. In March 2007 the Board voted to take no action on the proposal due to pending legislation. In January, 2007 Senate Bill 67, introduced by Senator Gary Stevens, of Kodiak, proposed the establishment of a State Fish and Game Refuge covering about of state land in the Kvichak and Nushagak drainages (with the refuge to be named after former Alaska Governor Jay Hammond). It proposed that no uses incompatible with: fish and wildlife populations; commercial or subsistence food gathering; or recreation would be allowed in the refuge. The bill sought to close the refuge to new mining claims. Most significantly, the bill would have made illegal the storage or disposal of any quantity of, "industrial waste," thereby making it impossible to develop any industry, including mines, within the refuge. The bill died in the Senate Resources Committee. Salmon spawning waters In February 2007, a bill to stop the project by increasing protections for spawning salmon died in the Human Resources committee. 2008 Alaska Clean Water Initiative In August 2008, Ballot Measure 4, the "Alaska Clean Water Initiative," was voted down (approximately 57% against and 43% in favor) in that year's primary election. The measure was written to apply statewide (which the Constitution of Alaska demands). Supporters of the Measure argued that it would not affect any other mining operation. Opponents argued that it would have had serious, and unnecessary, adverse effects on the mining industry statewide. Property rights Pebble supporters argued that such bills and measures would constitute an illegal taking of property rights (mineral rights granted by the State of Alaska to holders of mining claims on state land). See also Twin Metals mine References External links Government links Pebble Project – Alaska Division of Mining, Land & Water Opposition Renewable Resources Coalition Renewable Resources Foundation Bristol Bay Native Corporation Nunamta Aulukestai-Caretakers of the Land Bristol Bay Residents Who Oppose the