Who are we?
The Eklutna River Restoration Coalition is a coordinated group of Tribal and non-government organizations working to ensure that a healthy Eklutna River and strong salmon runs are produced by the mitigation process to make up for the Eklutna Hydropower Project’s impacts to fish and wildlife.
Joining these groups are thousands of Alaskans and utility company rate payers who have pledged their support for returning water to the Eklutna River and restoring fish passage.
The Coalition
Native Village of Eklutna
Native Village of Eklutna (NVE) is a traditional Tribal Government, also recognized by the United States. The Tribe provides government services, operates programs, and undertakes a variety of projects to support and assist the overall health and safety of Tribal citizens and surrounding communities on traditional lands throughout upper Cook Inlet. The elected 7-member Tribal Council set NVE’s mission to empower Idlughet Qayeht’ana (Eklutna Village Dena’ina) by promoting the history, culture, and identity of our sovereign nation, and to assist in the education and well-being of our Tribe.
Learn more about NVE, their history, and vision for the future of their namesake river here.
The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund (TCF), working with public, private and nonprofit partners, protects America’s legacy of land and water resources through land acquisition, sustainable community and economic development, and leadership training, emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals. Since 1994 TCF has worked across Alaska to protect over 300,000 acres of the greatest wild areas left on Earth.
Beginning in 2014, in partnership with the Native Village of Eklutna and Eklutna Inc., TCF spearheaded the removal of the Lower Eklutna River dam. Removing the Lower Eklutna dam was the first step in the restoration of the Eklutna River. Learn more about the dam removal here and here.
Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America’s trout and salmon and their watersheds. Across the country, TU brings to bear local, regional, and national grassroots organizing, durable partnerships, science-backed policy muscle, and legal firepower on behalf of trout and salmon fisheries, healthy waters, and vibrant communities.
Learn about TU’s efforts on the Eklutna here. Or contact Chennery at chennery.fife@tu.org to get involved.
The Alaska Center
The Alaska Center envisions a just, thriving, sustainable future that is created by empowering and engaging Alaskans to stand up for clean air, water, healthy communities, and a strong democracy. Since the 2018 Lower Eklutna River Dam removal, The Alaska Center team has been working in partnership with the Eklutna River Coalition to connect communities and build public support to bring water back to the culturally and ecologically significant historical salmon stream. In the past The Alaska Centers has given educational presentations, hosted open-mic events, and worked with artists to design stickers.
Learn more about The Alaska Center’s efforts by clicking this link. Email Julian at julian@akcenter.org to get involved with The Alaska Center’s efforts on the Eklutna River Restoration Project.