STOP the Johnson Tract in Lake Clark National Park
Protecting Lake Clark National Park: Opposing Easements on the Johnson Tract
Calling all Bear and Nature Lovers,
Lake Clark National Park is a treasured Alaskan wilderness, renowned for its pristine beauty and abundant wildlife. However, the proposed easements for the Johnson Tract pose a significant threat to this irreplaceable ecosystem. Granting these easements would have irreversable consequences for the land, fish populations, and the iconic bears that call this park home.
Here's why easements on the Johnson Tract are bad for Lake Clark National Park:
Habitat Fragmentation: Easements would lead to the introduction of heavy machinery, construction of roads, expanding an airstrip, installing bridges and culverts, creating a parking lot and multiple pads, creating settling ponds, and filling wetlands, and more [1]. These activities fragment critical wildlife corridors within Lake Clark National Park, disrupting wildlife populations and migrations. From large, roaming populations of brown and black bears, wolverines, wolves and marmot, to giant flocks of shorebirds and seabirds, to free-flowing streams teaming with silver, sockeye, pink, chum and king salmon, the region represents some of the last intact, diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. [2]
Impact on the water: These easements would allow access to the Johnson River corridor which discharges directly into the Cooke Inlet, world renowned for its fisheries. Activities associated with these easements and subsequent mining activities may negatively affect water quality through erosion and sedimentation. This can harm vital spawning grounds for salmon and other fish species, impacting the entire food chain within the Cooke Inlet. Additionally, the Cooke Inlet is a federally designated critical habitat for both the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) distinct population segment (DPS), and the southwest Alaska DPS of the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) [1].
Economic Impact: Natural resources in the Cooke Inlet supports the Alaskan economy through tourism and fishing. This mining project threatens a wide range of these activities, including fishing and bear viewing. Specifically, these easements directly impact a variety of local businesses and families dedicated to these activities. Set and drift net fishing operations occur throughout the region, small, remote lodges host visitors to witness the region’s amazing bounty, and an old clam and salmon cannery – the Snug Harbor Outpost – has been restored to support the tourism industry, would be within view of these mining activities [2] and poses a significant threat to their future.
Protecting Bears:
Lake Clark National Park is a haven for bears. These magnificent creatures rely on vast, undisturbed areas to forage, raise young, and hibernate. Easements would bring increased human presence, heavy machinery, habitat fragmentation, etc. leading to potential conflicts with bears. This could threaten both human safety and bear populations.
Lets Stop Them in Their Tracks:
You have a voice in protecting Lake Clark National Park. Here are some ways we can make a difference:
Comment: The National Park Service (NPS) is requesting your input as it prepares to conduct a resource analysis to evaluate two proposed easements (tell them it is a bad idea). The deadline for this open commnet period is June 24, 2024. Please don’t delay, your comments are needed!
Spread awareness: Share information about the potential harms of furthering the Johnson Tract on social media, with friends, family, and your community.
Contact your elected officials: Express your opposition to easements on the Johnson Tract.
Let's work together to ensure that Lake Clark National Park remains a pristine wilderness for generations to come.
Resources:
[1] Alaska Wildlife Alliance. 2023. JULY 26, 2023 OUR COMMENTS ON THE JOHNSON TRACT PERMIT. Available at: https://www.akwildlife.org/news/johnson-tract-comments
[2] Inletkeeper Alliance. 2024. Johnson Tract Mine Prompts Big Questions. Available at: https://inletkeeper.org/johnson-tract-mine-prompts-big-questions/