The proposed mine straddles the headwaters of the two salmon-producing rivers, and it would be encompassed by the proposed refuge. After listening to hours of testimony about the Pebble project and the proposed refuge on Saturday, the board members decided against asking the Legislature to create a refuge. Instead, the members unanimously agreed to send a letter asking legislators to scrutinize whether the state's current fishery protections are adequate.
On Tuesday morning, the board members discussed a draft version of the letter but a couple of them were uncomfortable with its wording, according to fisheries board staff members.
The board agreed to finalize the letter soon, perhaps in the next week or so, said Jim Marcotte, the board's executive director.
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