So far, only three states in the United States have assumed primacy for dredge and fill permitting in wetlands. One of those states – Florida – assumed permit primacy in the waning days of the Trump administration. Like Governor Sean Parnell before him, Governor Dunleavy wants Alaska to pay for wetland permitting that is now being paid for by the …
It’s baaaaack!
HB 398 creates more bureaucracy, expense, and red tape that strips Alaskans of our right to protect our waters. This bill is bad.
Wetland Permitting
The Dunleavy Administration, DEC, mine promoters want state primacy on permitting to streamline industrialization of areas like the Bristol Bay.
Leg With Louie: A process you never knew you had, and you are about to lose
In 2006 the very unpopular administration of Governor Frank Murkowski approved a regulation allowing the dumping of water pollution into salmon spawning and rearing areas. This regulation was an extreme change to the rules protecting our salmon. Before it went into effect statewide, a review and certification by the Environmental Protection Agency were required. This regulation was so incredibly offensive to everyone besides …
Leg With Louie: Why the Rush, Pebble?
The federal environmental review of Pebble mine is an obvious rush job and Pebble is throwing millions and millions of lobbying dollars on the dumpster fire of politics in order to ensure the mine receives its critical federal permits before the 2020 presidential election. Alaska departments charged with reviewing the Pebble Mine Environmental Impact Statement have already been cut to …
The Terrifying Tales Against Yes for Salmon
Each summer while gillnetting sockeye one inevitably catches a few fish that have been dead for a number of days – they are called Ghost Fish in the colloquialism of the back deck – and you can usually smell them before they come over the roller. The smell of a ghost fish can put one over the edge if they …
We’re Almost There!
I was driving my 7-year-old daughter to school, and as we passed one of many Yes for Salmon yard signs, she asked me, “Momma, how will you feel if salmon wins in November?” Her bright and earnest question made me pause and reflect. SO MUCH IS AT STAKE RIGHT NOW. Our environment, cultures, health, reproductive rights, education–everything we love and …
Rally in Defense of Alaska Native Women, Children, and the Lands and Waters That Sustain Alaska Native Communities
… United under the banner of “Defending the Sacred” Alaskan groups from across the state have joined together to rally on the opening day of the 2018 Alaska Federation of Natives convention. The message is a call to action for an end to the violence against women and children and an end to the degradation of Alaskan lands & waters. …
Ballot Measure 1 campaigns argue pros, cons on KTVA’s Daybreak
Polly Carr, executive director of the Alaska Center, appeared on KTVA’s Daybreak in support of the measure. Former Anchorage District Attorney Clint Campion appeared in opposition. Carr describes the initiative as a proactive measure aimed at getting ahead of large scale projects that could potentially harm fish habitat. “This initiative is in response to the growing projects in Alaska that …
Indigenous Peoples Day & The Urgency of Voting
By Kendra Kloster & Polly Carr Art by Sarah Whalen-Lunn>> Indigenous Peoples Day was established to realize the importance of our identity as an Alaska Native place, and elevate Indigenous ways of life. Right now, we must also elevate the continued and increasing threats posed to Indigenous people, people of color, and women across our state and country. It’s time …