Alaskans to vote on clean-water measure

updated 9:16 p.m. ET July 3, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that an initiative to regulate or restrict pollution from mining can be placed on the ballot in August for voters to consider.

The initiative is aimed at stemming the discharge of toxic materials from large metallic mineral mines in Alaska, according to court documents.

Mining advocates oppose the measure, saying it would put a damper on industry. Late last year, they asked a superior court judge to declare the initiative unconstitutional.

In February, Superior Court Judge Douglas Blankenship issued a decision saying the initiative could appear on the ballot. It's known as "Ballot Measure 4."

The Council of Alaska Producers and other mining supporters then appealed to the state Supreme Court, which upheld Blankenship's ruling.

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