WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A coalition of some 360 fishing, hunting and sporting groups has petitioned the federal Environmental Protection Agency to protect Bristol Bay from what it considers to be dangers from developing the Pebble mine prospect in Southwest Alaska.

The coalition's letter urges EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to use the agency's authority under the Clean Water Act to protect Bristol Bay from large-scale mining. The region supports a large commercial salmon fishery, sport fishing and subsistence fishing as well as hunting.

Earlier this month, the EPA said it will assess the watershed in an effort to better understand how mine development might affect water quality and area fisheries.