newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — More than $7.6 million has been spent so far on campaigns over the Clean Water Initiative, which voters will be asked to take a side on in the Aug. 26 primary election.

A group formed to promote the initiative, Alaskans for Clean Water, has swept in contributions of $1,812,393 so far. Of that, $1,200,000 came from Americans for Job Security, a national trade association based in Virginia, and the rest came largely from lodge owners and individuals.

Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown, formed to oppose the initiative, has amassed a war chest of 3 1/2 times that, or $6,468,910. Almost all of that — $6.4 million — came from the Council of Alaska Producers, a trade association representing the state’s major metal mines.

On both sides, the money is going mainly to media advertisements, polling and political consultants, according to 30 day reports that were due Monday to the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

And both sides are quick to note out-of-state money.

Most of the large mines contributing to the initiative’s opposition have headquarters outside of Alaska — and, sometimes, out of the U.S.

Many of the small contributions received to support the initiative are from individual donors across the U.S. — and no one is saying where AJS gets its funds. AJS President Steve DeMaura said the trade association does not disclose its donors.

Not so clear is what groups haven’t registered with the state to advance a position in the 2008 election, but which are spending sizable sums on media campaigns related to the initiative topics.

For example, AJS reported contributing $1,200,000 to Alaskans for Clean Water, but is also engaged in spreading an anti-Pebble Mine message outside of lobbying for the initiative. Alaskans for Clean Water president Art Hackney confirmed he has served on the AJS board of directors for several years.

Groups that spend money to urge voters directly to cast ballots on a particular side must register with APOC.

Groups that steer clear of direct language concerning the election, votes or the initiative might not have to register.

Outside of the dollar contributions that must be reported, AJS is relaying an anti-Pebble message in statewide radio ads and in a mass mailing, DeMaura confirmed.

Those activities have prompted Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown to file a formal complaint with APOC alleging violation of campaign disclosure laws.

DeMaura said AJS is following an APOC advisory opinion issued to the Renewable Resources Coalition.

The association works nationwide where the future of jobs is at stake and will continue educating people in Alaska about the Pebble Mine proposal, he said.

“We believe the Pebble Mine is bad for the commercial fishing industry in Alaska,” DeMaura said. “We’re going to continue to engage in that discussion for as long as it takes.”

Hackney added that the large number of small donors scattered across the country indicate widespread support for the initiative.

Solicitations were sent out in fly-fishing and hunting magazines, he said.

Sponsors of the Clean Water Initiative say it would create new standards to protect water, salmon and fishing from the proposed Pebble Mine, a large metals mine planned at Bristol Bay.

Opponents, who are largely affiliated with Alaska’s mining industry, say the initiative language is vague and could shut down all mining in the state.

Both sides charge that a loss of jobs, either in mining or fishing industries, and the ensuing economic impacts to rural Alaska communities would be devastating if the initiative passes.

The Council of Alaska Producers is itself a registered special interest group.

Contributions to the group also are available on the APOC site and include funds from Red Dog, Fort Knox, Pogo and Greens Creek mines and the proposed Donlin and Pebble mines.

The large amounts of money given to AAMS are a reflection of how serious the consequences could be if the initiative is passed, said Lorna Shaw, director of the Council of Alaska Producers.

AAMS is fighting the initiative on the grounds that it could shut down Alaskan mining.

University of Alaska Fairbanks political science professor Dr. Jerry McBeath said he expected a multi-million dollar campaign on the initiative.

The debate doesn’t follow traditional party lines, which can serve as guides for voters.

Instead, those who will be casting ballots are receiving messages from media ads.