Proposed Johnson Tract Gold Mine Threatens Endangered Belugas and Would Industrialize Tuxedni Bay
The proposed Johnson Tract Mine, a non-critical gold mine proposed within Lake Clark National Park, would industrialize the west side of Cook Inlet. The effects of this industrialization would ripple out and threaten the only known winter foraging habitat of the critically endangered Cook Inlet Beluga whale, the last stronghold of Cook Inlet’s razor back clam beds still accessed for subsistence each year, and intact habitat for salmon, bears and birds which are the bedrock of the thriving eco-tourism economy in the region.
Looking north from high on Chisik Island

Proposed Johnson Tract Gold Mine Threatens Endangered Belugas and Would Industrialize Tuxedni Bay

— Satchel Pondolfino

 

As during any administration change over, a shuffle of last minute action from executive orders, to permitting decisions to pardons ensues. During last week’s shuffle, Inletkeeper was disappointed, though not surprised, to learn the National Park Service granted CIRI easements for a port in Tuxedni Bay and haul road from the Johnson Tract mine site. 

 

The proposed Johnson Tract Mine, a non-critical gold mine proposed within Lake Clark National Park, would industrialize the west side of Cook Inlet. The effects of this industrialization would ripple out and threaten the only known winter foraging habitat of the critically endangered Cook Inlet Beluga whale, the last stronghold of Cook Inlet’s razor back clam beds still accessed for subsistence each year, and intact habitat for salmon, bears and birds which are the bedrock of the thriving eco-tourism economy in the region. 

 

Yet, the National Park Service succumbed to the pressure of private interest groups, rushing the conveyance though without opportunity for public comment, nor completing legal consultation requirements with National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Historic Preservation Act. NPS did, however, stipulate that this consultation must take place before CIRI can move forward with planning activities. Though, with the deed to the land already in hand, this pale caveat holds little water. This backwards order of operations shows little regard for the intention and prudence behind the required consultation processes aimed at protecting cultural resources and Cook Inlet Belugas.

 

Now, bearing the after-the-fact consultation requirements, CIRI and their mining company in contract Contango, can initiate the planning, construction and operation phases for their port and haul road. As each phase progresses, CIRI will specify their plans for the location of the road and the port, and the easements, which currently provide for a large road corridor and two different port locations in Tuxedni Bay, will shrink to match the infrastructure placement (see map). 

 

Before construction of this infrastructure can begin, CIRI and Contango will need numerous permits that will require a public process. This includes Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act permits, Marine Mammal Protection Act incidental take authorizations, and further National Historic Preservation Act permits. We look forward to taking full advantage of these public participation opportunities. 

 

As we said in recent press about the easement conveyances, we stand firm in opposing the Johnson Tract Mine and will continue to uplift many local voices that share our sentiment. This spring we are coordinating a local stakeholder meeting to deepen our collaboration and strategy in amplifying what so many Alaskans already know: maintaining sustainable tourism and subsistence opportunities provided by intact ecosystems on the west side of Cook Inlet is a better future than the toxic and boom-bust legacy of an industrial gold mine. And it’s worth fighting for. 

Johnson Tract Project map courtesy of the Center for Biological Diversity