by Satchel Pondolfino | Sep 17, 2026 | Bears, Clean Water, Johnson Tract Mine, Mining
Every September, roughly 1.7 million people tune in to Cook Inlet’s wild bear coast, casting their vote for the fattest bear of Fat Bear Week in Katmai National Park. There’s no doubt these furry kin, their abundant habitat, and this annual tradition are cherished....
by Satchel Pondolfino | Aug 26, 2026 | Cook Inlet, Johnson Tract Mine, Mining
Though the West side of Cook Inlet is the backyard of the most industrial corners of Alaska, it’s remained a safe haven for wildlife, commercial and subsistence harvest, and ecotourism. All of that could change if the proposed Johnson Tract gold mine is constructed....
by Satchel Pondolfino | Jul 22, 2026 | Clean Water, Johnson Tract Mine, Mining
Canadian-American mining company Contango Silver and Gold has its sights set on developing Cook Inlet Region, Inc.’s (CIRI) private land inholding in the heart of Lake Clark National Park. Their proposed Johnson Tract Mine is a gold project with some zinc, copper,...
by Ben Boettger | Jul 21, 2026 | Clean Water, Climate Change, Energy & Alaska, Mining, West Su Access Road
The Railbelt has a real and urgent need for energy solutions. Ideally, decision makers would meet this need by taking a comprehensive look at our region’s energy prospects and giving serious consideration to wind and solar power opportunities. Unfortunately,...
by Satchel Pondolfino | Jun 16, 2026 | Bears, Belugas, Johnson Tract Mine, Local Economies, Mining
The proposed Johnson Tract Mine would industrialize one of the last undeveloped pockets of Cook Inlet | Tikahtnu, spurring an onslaught of traffic from military-sized planes, ore-hauling trucks, and barges through the park daily. We know that this, alongside the...
by Satchel Pondolfino | Apr 14, 2026 | Cook Inlet, Johnson Tract Mine, Mining
The proposed Johnson Tract Mine is presented as an economic opportunity for Alaska, but the company’s 2025 SEC Initial Assessment makes one thing clear: this is a short-term gold project that rewards outside investors, while providing limited returns for Cook Inlet...
