In the early 1990s, while Alaska and the world were still reeling from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, federal regulators discovered something shocking in Cook Inlet: oil and gas corporations had committed more than 4,200 violations of the Clean Water Act. Rather than face crushing penalties in court, oil companies agreed to a settlement that...
Thanks to your support, Inletkeeper will be launching a new science project on the Little Susitna River in summer 2026. The Little Susitna has been identified by regional partners as a top priority watershed for managing salmon habitats and as one of the most productive salmon fisheries in the Mat-Su region. The Little Susitna supports Chinook...
In 2022, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) approved Lease Sale 258 without fully considering cumulative impacts to Cook Inlet Belugas, the impact of vessel noise, and alternatives for a reduced sale and meaningful reduction of overall impacts to Cook Inlet’s fragile ecosystem. Inletkeeper, alongside community and national partners,...
This month Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Administrative Order 360 — a reckless and ill-conceived attempt to gut oversight of natural resources, by automatically approving projects if the state misses review deadlines. What does this mean for Alaskans? Removal of expert opinions on any project the Governor wants fast-tracked. An open season for...
Inletkeeper has been fighting alongside Alaskans to stop the Pebble Mine for over 20 years—and what a ride it has been. In 2023, we celebrated a milestone victory when the EPA finalized Clean Water Act protections that stopped the proposed Pebble Mine from being built in the headwaters of Bristol Bay. Just last week there were reports that the...
As the state of Alaska stares down a projected $536 million deficit over the next two fiscal years, legislators are scrambling for solutions to avoid yet another budget crisis. Among the clearest and most straightforward answers on the table is Senate Bill 92 (SB 92), introduced earlier this year by Sen. Rob Yundt (R-Wasilla). SB 92 aims to close...
The Year Ahead: Defending Alaska's Future Under a New Administration — Loren Barrett As we round out the first month of the new year, we want to first thank you for helping us meet our end-of-year fundraising goals. Your support ensures that Cook Inletkeeper can stand firm against the growing threats to Alaska's environment, even in the...
Help Us Reach Our $100,000 End-of-Year Goal! — Loren Barrett In 2025, Cook Inletkeeper will celebrate 30 years of advocacy and action. As we enter this landmark year emboldened by what we have preserved and in full knowledge that there is a long road ahead to continue to protect the places we hold most dear, we’re reminded that protecting special...
Donlin Gold’s gas pipeline will impact hundreds of wild salmon streams along its 315-mile path from Cook Inlet, over the Alaska Range, to the mine site in the Kuskokwim basin. This corridor – pocked with airstrips, gravel pits and access roads – would open up motorized access to a vast acreage of untrammeled wildlands and create vulnerable...
Why We Should Be Watching the Development of the Johnson Tract Mine UPDATE 10/28/2024: It seems the National Park Service (NPS) has canceled the inadequate 14-day public comment period on their resource analysis to assess a proposed haul road and port facility to transport ore through Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. We will keep you...
