United States President Barack Obama declared that Alaska's Bristol Bay will not be used for oil explorations and gas drilling.
According to Obama, "It's something that's too precious for us to be putting out to the highest bidder."
Other politicians also stepped forward and supported Obama's decision to protect the Bay.
"I look forward to working cooperatively, in Alaska's clear interest, with the federal government to safely and economically develop regions of our state and offshore waters for oil and gas. Bristol Bay, however, is not that place," Gov. Bill Walker said in a statement.
President Obama's move to decline the lease of The North Aleutian Basin Planning Area, which includes the Bristol Bay, has saved the the area from oil and mineral developments.
Former interior secretary Ken Salazar and President Obama announced four years ago that they will be cancelling a planned 2011 lease of the North Aleutian Basin. The decision was made to protect the natural resources and wildlife in the area.
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation Chairman Robin Samuelson said that they have been protecting the bay for over 25 years, and it is an ongoing battle.
The bay attracts $100 million for tourism and recreational fishing and up to $2 billion in commercial fishing revenue annually. Bristol Bay is where 40 percent of the entire country's fish and other seafood supplies are coming from. It is also here where the biggest wild salmon runs are held.
Not many are aware that the bay is also home to many threatened and endangered species, including the North Pacific Right Whale, killer whales, Beluga whales, sea otters, walruses, and seals.
The area has been a place of interest for miners, and petroleum leases were sold in Bristol Bay more than two decades ago. Proposals of molybdenum, gold, and copper exploration projects were also made by foreign investors for the Bristol Bay area.
