The Eklutna River, the Hydroelectric Project, and the Governor’s Decision
BY THE ALASKA CENTER
About two months ago, we wrote a piece in Sol de Medianoche about the ongoing fight to restore the Eklutna River. In the months since, you might have noticed that there have been a number of headlines about the issue. We’ll do our best to summarize what’s happened since our last article.
Just a quick reminder: The Eklutna Dam is located about 30 miles north of Anchorage. The river was first dammed, ending salmon runs and eliminating a food source from the Native Village of Eklutna, in 1929. Since then, the river was dammed another time to create power. This is called the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project. The federal government owned the project, but sold it to Chugach Electric Association, Matanuska Electric Association, and Municipal Light and Power in the 1990s. However, purchase of the project came with a requirement: that the new owners (the utility companies) mitigate the damage caused by the dam to the area.
This is why the Eklutna River has been in the headlines so many times over the last few months. The owners submitted a draft plan that would leave a mile of river dry and restore just 4% of the river’s flow. The public commented on this plan - four out of five Alaskans who commented supported river restoration or removal of the dam. The owners edited the draft plan and have now submitted a final plan.
The final plan is very similar to the draft plan; it continues to leave a mile of river dry and only restores 4% of historic flows. The greatest difference is that the new plan offers “limited reopeners”. These “limited reopeners” allow for the possibility of changes in the future. Most importantly, fish passage to the lake might be possible as well, but only if new technology is introduced. Additionally, the owners of the dam maintain that they will not pay for any changes that allow fish passage.
On April 15, the Matanuska Electric Association Board of Directors approved a resolution to send the Final Fish and Wildlife Program to the Governor. On April 24, the Chugach Electric Association Board of Directors did the same.
Governor Dunleavy has the final say on the matter. Prior to his acceptance of the plan, however, there are opportunities for the federal government to comment on the plan. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service have 60 days from the time of submission to write comments on the plan.
After that, the project owners will have 30 days to submit responses. Only then will the final plan be ready for the governor’s approval, or rejection.
Stay tuned. This story is constantly updating and is sure to adjust in the coming months.
