Eklutna Lake is a jewel of Anchorage recreation. It's also the source of some of the electricity used by city residents. A major policymaking process has been underway for the past several years to address the Eklutna hydroelectric project's effects on salmon, and it's now coming to its conclusion with intense controversy.
This is a complicated story with many different stakeholders. But two people who have been among the most involved are Aaron Leggett, head of Eklutna's tribal government, and Brad Meiklejohn, a longtime environmental advocate whose conservation group led a project to remove a derelict dam near the Eklutna River's mouth. They are featured on this episode; we hope to hear from the utilities that own the hydroelectric project in the coming days.
Feedback? Criticism? Ideas for a future episode? Email nat at northernjournal dot com.
What is Northern Journal?
Alaska is defined by its environment and its natural resources — the fish in its rivers, the oil and minerals buried underground. The Northern Journal podcast digs into those subjects, with interviews with those who know them best.