Alaskans will vote on four ballot measures in the upcoming election. They are all bad ideas and should be summarily voted down.

The measures establish mining prohibitions, a gaming commission, amends hunting rules and provides for public campaign funding. We'll take the last three apart later.

By far, the worst idea this election is Ballot Measure No. 4, the so-called Clean Water Initiative. Few would deny this measure was written to ban any further action to open the proposed Pebble mine, a huge gold and copper deposit in Southwest Alaska.

The initiative would impose two water quality standards on any new large-scale mines in Alaska. If passed, it would restrict large, new mines from releasing toxic pollutants into water that would adversely affect the health of humans or salmon.

The ballot measure defines toxic pollutants as substances that will cause death and disease in humans and fish.

According to the state legislative affairs agency, the act applies to mines larger than 640 acres, and applies only to mines that have not yet received permits. Permits won't be provided for mines that would - or even might - release pollutants into water used by humans or salmon.

Alaska is a fairly soppy place - there's water, frozen and flowing, all over. And no one would admit to being against having clean water - including mining companies. But this ballot measure is a witch-hunt. Its authors and its backers are going after a particular mine before the science and the technology for how it might operate has barely begun.

That's not fair, and it's bad for business.

No doubt mines are not pretty operations. But Alaska has among the strictest rules for mining operations when compared to anywhere else in the world. The rule-makers live here too, and they don't want to see our lands polluted and fish die.

So long as the state's regulators don't get lazy and the public remains vigilant, that isn't likely to happen. Our operating mines such as Usibelli coal, Red Dog, Fort Knox and Greens Creek have been showcase operations for decades.

Voting yes on this measure tells the world's companies we don't really want Outside investment capital here, and that other Outsiders will influence our politics by forking over millions of dollars to keep them out.

We're not saying Pebble is a good idea or a bad one. It's too soon to tell. We are saying it's best to wait for the research to be completed and the permits to be filed to take a stand.

Ballot Measure 1 establishes a gaming commission within the state Department of Revenue to oversee and change the gambling laws. Bottom line: We don't need it. The state has little gambling opportunities now, only pulltabs and bingo. If the state changes the laws to allow casinos or other larger-scale gambling, that is the time to build such a commission.

Ballot Measure 2 amends the rules for same day airborne shooting of wolves or grizzly bears, but tosses in an exception for a “biological emergency.” This measure adds to the costs of game management - at least $400,000 a year, according to the state Department of Fish and Game. But worse, it binds the department from effectively doing its job.

The department says the definition of “biological emergency” is so narrow the commissioner would never have enough ammunition to warrant an airborne predator control program, thus rendering the half-million dollar cost a waste.

And besides, does the wolf really care? Supporters tout airborne shooting is an attack on “traditional hunting values.” You want traditional, drop your guns and hunt without them. Otherwise, leave the game management to those who get paid to do it.

Measure 3 sets up public campaign funding. This measure goes against the very ideals of the political process, and it adds to the cost of elections, about $500,000 a year, according to state estimates. It would allow - even encourage- every Tom, Dick and Jane to enter races whether they have a chance or a remote dream of being in office.

It will not reduce corruption, but would encourage other misuses of funds when people decide to run on the fly. If people want to run for a seat, let them work for the money to help them do that. It will show their dedication to the job they want.