What is the Johnson Tract in Alaska?

The Johnson Tract is a private parcel of land within Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, known for its significant gold, copper, and zinc deposits.

Why are beluga whales important to the Johnson Tract issue?

Tuxedni Bay near the Johnson Tract is the only known winter foraging ground for endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, making industrial noise a key threat.

Who owns the mineral rights to the Johnson Tract?

The mineral rights to the Johnson Tract are owned by Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), one of twelve Alaska Native regional corporations.

Home / Environment / Alaska's Pristine Park Faces Mining Threat

Alaska's Pristine Park Faces Mining Threat

21 Nov

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Summary

A private mining prospect is surrounded by Lake Clark National Park.
Indigenous owners stand to profit from potential gold, copper, zinc deposits.
Conservationists fear harm to wildlife, including endangered beluga whales.

Alaska's Pristine Park Faces Mining Threat

The Johnson Tract, a private parcel within Alaska's vast Lake Clark National Park, holds billions in gold, copper, and zinc deposits. The land's Indigenous owners, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), are leasing it to a mining company, Contango Ore, Inc., eager to tap into these resources amidst surging metal prices. This prospect, located 125 miles southwest of Anchorage, presents a potential economic boon for CIRI's shareholders.

However, the development faces significant opposition. Conservationists, commercial fishermen, and local lodge owners are raising alarms about the potential environmental impact. They worry that a mine, encircled by the federal protected area, could disrupt critical wildlife habitats and endanger an already threatened population of beluga whales. The plan involves trucking ore through the park to a potential shipping terminal, a proposal that has led to lawsuits against federal regulators.