The Bristol Bay Native Association, an Alaska Native consortium of 30 tribes in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska, supports Rep. Maurice Hinchey's (D-NY) efforts to protect their fisheries, culture and way of life, the organization said Friday. “As concerned residents of Alaska, we support Rep. Hinchey's legislation to reinstate the congressional Bristol Bay offshore drilling moratorium,” the group said in a prepared statement. “BBNA as well as many Alaska Native people and residents of Bristol Bay also support Congressman Hinchey's efforts to reinstate the ban through a measure in an upcoming appropriations bill.  “

The BBNA Board of Directors has adopted a resolution opposing oil and gas exploration in the North Aleutian Basin Area.

The group’s comments come after members of the Alaska Aleutian Native Tribes and local government officials from the Aleutians East Borough said they oppose Hinchey’s attempt to block the drilling. They said oil and gas production would mean jobs for their residents and would not negatively impact the environment.