You can help restore salmon in Alaska! Alaska is facing a shortage of salmon, and one of these threatened areas is just 30 miles northeast of downtown Anchorage. The Eklutna Hydroelectric Project is a dam blocking fish passage up the Eklutna River to their spawning grounds at Eklutna Lake. The dam operators, Chugach Electric Association, Matanuska Electric Association and the Municipality of Anchorage, legally must propose an alternative to the dam that would mitigate harm to fish and wildlife. Unfortunately, they chose the alternative that is cheapest for them and has the least helpful impact for salmon, leaving about a mile of the riverbed dry.
Thankfully, there is an opportunity for public comment, where we can call for the removal of the dam, once other renewable energy sources are in place. There are public comment sessions in Anchorage on Jan. 17 at the Arctic Rec Center, 4855 Arctic Boulevard, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. There are also sessions in Palmer on Jan. 16 and in Eagle River on Jan. 18. If you don’t wish to submit comments in person, you may email them to info@eklutnahydro.com. Remove the dam, restore the river and save the salmon.
— Emily Cohen
Anchorage
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