Our Analysis

ACE's Analysis of the Impact

Wild Places

All of these sites are valuable fish and game habitat, and have been recognized as such by the United States Forest Service who manages these lands. The Kenai brown bear, which is listed as a species of special concern, depend heavily on these areas. The projects are located in an inventoried roadless area.  A federal district court has ordered reinstatement of the roadless rule to protect almost 50 million acres of wild national forests and grasslands from road building, logging, and development, including the Chugach National Forest.

Sustainability

The Department of Natural Resources filed a Motion to Intervene on behalf of the State of Alaska’s recommended prohibition for Impoundment Structures on any Kenai River Tributary including Crescent Creek, Ptarmigan Creek, Falls Creek and Grant Creek.  They recognize that the interruption of flows on the Kenai could have a negative impact on fish and their habitat.

The local economy of Cooper Landing and Moose Pass rely heavily on tourism-related economy like sport fishing, recreation and wildland adventure.  Who wants to drive a hundred miles to hike a road along a transmission corridor only to arrive at a lake with no fish?

Homer Electric claims that the development of these projects will stabilize and possibly lower rates.  The projected cost of the Grant Lake project alone is 27 million dollars for an output of less than 5MW.  A 1 MW wind turbine costs around 1 million dollars, so essentially HEA could spend one-fifth the amount of money to get the same amount of energy.

Recreation

All of these projects will have a negative impact on recreational opportunities in the Chugach National Forest.  These are all destinations that many of us have visited and appreciate for easy access to alpine meadows and lakes, excellent wildlife viewing, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, and skiing.  The Chugach Forest Plan recognizes these special areas by placing them into management prescriptions which enhances the publics’ opportunity to enjoy quality recreational experiences in a wilderness setting.

What would a better project look like? 

Lowell Creek, Seward

An independent energy engineer has done preliminary studies on an in-stream intake structure and penstock brought to tidewater where a power plant would produce up to four megawatts of power. None of the environmental problems connected with the four Moose Pass/Cooper Landing proposals exist at Lowell Creek. There is no fish habitat, no existing recreational use, no new roads would be required, it’s immediately adjacent to the utility lines, and it would produce energy for local consumers (unlike the Homer Electric Association invasive plan). Plus it could help reduce flooding risk in the town of Seward.