Protecting Cook Inlet Belugas and the Ecological Legacy of Tuxedni Bay
Cook Inlet belugas, one of the most endangered whale populations in the world, face constant threats from habitat degradation, industrial activities, and the impacts of climate change. Among the critical habitats they rely on, one of the most significant is Tuxedni Bay. Known in the Outer Inlet dialect of Dena’ina as Tuk’ezitnu—which translates to “fish-stranded-in-tide-river”—the bay offers a vital sanctuary for belugas, particularly during the winter and spring months when foraging is critical to their survival.
Recent acoustic research by Castellote (2023 and 2024) has revealed Tuxedni as the first known winter foraging habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga population. The bay’s exceptionally low anthropogenic noise levels further enhance its conservation value, making it one of the few places where these whales can forage and communicate without interference. Belugas, often referred to as the canaries of the sea, rely heavily on vocalizations to communicate, find prey, and navigate their environment. However, increasing industrial noise pollution threatens to mask these essential calls, displace belugas from their feeding grounds, and undermine recovery efforts.
The Dena’ina people have long recognized the ecological importance of Tuxedni Bay to Beluga populations. The traditional name for Tuxedni’s Polly Creek, Tałin Ch’iłtant, translates to “where we find a whale,” further underscoring the long-held knowledge of this place as a key environment for the species.
Today, the proposed Johnson Tract Mine—a noncritical hardrock mining project—raises serious concerns for the health of local ecosystems. The Johnson Tract is a private in-holding owned by Cook Inlet Regional Inc. (CIRI), located within Lake Clark National Park, just south of Tuxedni Bay. While the mining area itself is private land, it is surrounded by critical public lands and waters, including those essential for beluga survival.
Mining exploration in the Johnson Tract started in the early 1980s, and despite several failed attempts at developing the resource, the latest push from High Gold has sparked concern from local property owners, fishermen, and businesses. High Gold is a spinoff company of Constantine Metals whose CEO infamously provoked local ire when describing mining in Alaska as “going into a third-world country with low-hanging fruit,” but with first-world regulations. The area surrounding the proposed mine remains largely undeveloped, with intact ecosystems home to a range of wildlife, including brown and black bears, wolverines, wolves, and salmon-rich streams.
Amid this backdrop, Inletkeeper and our partners recently submitted a petition to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), calling for creating a Cook Inlet beluga protection zone within Tuxedni Bay. This zone would safeguard belugas from the increasing threat of industrial activities, ensuring that the bay remains free from excessive noise, pollution, and other disturbances that could jeopardize the recovery of this critically endangered species.
In June 2023, Lake Clark National Park announced plans to evaluate the environmental impacts of a haul road and port site intended to transport ore from the Johnson Tract Mine to the coast. Yet, NMFS has not yet issued comments on the potential impacts of the Johnson Tract Mine, despite the clear risks posed by increased industrialization. Even more troubling is NMFS’s assertion that the easement conveyance by the National Park Service (NPS) is a “non-discretionary action” and, therefore, not subject to consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This view fails to recognize that NPS does have discretion in choosing the location of these easements and that failing to consult with NMFS on potential impacts to belugas risks violating NPS’s obligations. Tuxedni is more than just a place for mining or development. The petition to NMFS underscores the need for a careful balancing act—one that ensures Cook Inlet belugas can recover while safeguarding the ecological legacy of Tuxedni for future generations.
