Sponsors are asking to withdraw a ballot initiative to bar large metal mines in Alaska from discharging certain pollutants into streams used for drinking water or inhabited by salmon.

The initiative is the first of two proposed clean water laws opposed by the developers of the Pebble copper and gold prospect in southwest Alaska.

Sponsors say they will now focus their efforts on promoting the second initiative, which is scheduled to get a statewide vote in August.

Jason Hooley, a special assistant to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, says the sponsors' request is being reviewed.

Hooley says the process is complicated because Parnell originally rejected the initiative application. That decision was overturned by the Superior

Court in Dillingham and Parnell is appealing the court's action.