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.

More from msnbc.com Cosmic Log: No post-convention bounce? World Blog: Pakistanis worry about Zardari rule First Read: McCain may have missed opportunity GOP delegates ponder that unsettling 'what if?' How smart are you? Take our news quiz Red Tape: Was Palin's SSN published on Web?   Week in Pictures: Natural disasters, political moments

MORE FROM ENVIRONMENT

Environment Section Front

Stinkweed tested as future biofuel More homeowners collect, store rainwater Environmentalists can't corral Palin Experts scale back sea level rise forecast And the winner for least-wasteful packaging... Huge ice shelf breaks loose in Canada Cleaner mower, speedboat engines ordered Chrysler shows plug-in hybrids to dealers Government questions plastic bottles' safety Pedal pushers power innovative gym Environment Section Front   Add Environment headlines to your news reader: