News

Acid contaminated water runs from the entrance of the Tulsequah Chief Mine in Canada. (Courtesy photo)

Governor ‘frustrated’ by long-polluting Canadian mine

Runoff from the mine has been flowing for more than 60 years.

Acid contaminated water runs from the entrance of the Tulsequah Chief Mine in Canada. (Courtesy photo)
The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of nine ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska negotiating settlements with cruise companies over air, water violations

Closed-door meetings decide how much cruises will pay for summer violations.

The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of nine ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Andrea Odell, an undergraduate student in the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, tosses dead sockeye salmon onto the bank of Hansen Creek in southwest Alaska in August 2018 while other researchers record data and look for salmon in the stream. (Courtesy Photo | Dan DiNicola via University of Washington)

Researchers threw salmon carcasses on one side of a creek for 20 years. Here’s what happened.

New study proves something Alaskans always knew.

Andrea Odell, an undergraduate student in the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, tosses dead sockeye salmon onto the bank of Hansen Creek in southwest Alaska in August 2018 while other researchers record data and look for salmon in the stream. (Courtesy Photo | Dan DiNicola via University of Washington)
Juneau Empire file. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Analysis: Minor permits under Ballot Measure 1

Ballot Measure 1, up for a vote during the statewide election Nov. 6, provides three tracks for development projects on salmon habitat in Alaska. Some… Continue reading

Juneau Empire file. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor in July. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

West Coast fishermen back ballot measure

The largest commercial fishing trade organization on the West Coast announced Monday its support for Ballot Measure 1, which would change how the State of… Continue reading

Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor in July. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Tulsequah Chief, all over again

Alaskans are worried Red Chris could go the same way.

George Edwardson, board member for Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska and President of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) stands in front of the UK HQ of cruise industry giant Carnival Corporation. (Courtesy Photo | Jiri Rezac via Stand.earth)

Alaskans travel to UK to protest cruise’s heavy oils

Alaska indigenous leaders traveled to the United Kingdom this week to deliver a petition asking a cruise industry giant to stop using inexpensive fuel believed… Continue reading

George Edwardson, board member for Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska and President of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) stands in front of the UK HQ of cruise industry giant Carnival Corporation. (Courtesy Photo | Jiri Rezac via Stand.earth)
The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)

‘Emerging’ pollutant contaminates Gustavus well water

Some residents of the small town of Gustavus, near Glacier Bay National Park, are relying on state-provided drinking water after testing of private wells showed… Continue reading

The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)
A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska scientists pen letter backing salmon measure

Former scientists and fisheries managers are taking sides over Ballot Measure 1.

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sonia Nagorski, assistant professor of Geology Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast, investigates the broken oxbow along the Mendenhall River on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The river cut through the meander bend just north of the Brotherhood Bridge last this summer. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

How a breakthrough in the Mendenhall River changes erosion near Brotherhood Bridge

It’s mid-morning at an oxbow on the Mendenhall River, and signs of change are all around. A handful of spruce trees, felled by river erosion,… Continue reading

Sonia Nagorski, assistant professor of Geology Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast, investigates the broken oxbow along the Mendenhall River on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The river cut through the meander bend just north of the Brotherhood Bridge last this summer. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Empire file photo from 2012, Laurent Dick photographs the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. A professor who studies coastal zone management will give a talk today at the University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Visiting professor to talk education innovation at UAS lecture

Sean Anderson, Ph.D., thinks universities should be doing business differently. Undergraduate science students should be in the field collecting data for long-term research projects, not… Continue reading

In this Empire file photo from 2012, Laurent Dick photographs the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. A professor who studies coastal zone management will give a talk today at the University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Prince of Wales wolf hunt numbers set

Once feared endangered, wolf numbers on fourth-largest U.S. island have rebounded.

The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The new invasive bryozoan, Bugula neritina. (Courtesy Photo | Melissa Frey, Royal B.C. Museum via University of Alaska)

Invasive invertebrate discovered near Ketchikan

They’re called sea lace, moss animals and Bugula neritina to scientists — and they’re not supposed to be here. But they are here, scientists say.… Continue reading

The new invasive bryozoan, Bugula neritina. (Courtesy Photo | Melissa Frey, Royal B.C. Museum via University of Alaska)
In this file photo from 2015, a protester stands next to rubber boots on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol during a rally to bring attention to the long-term protection of transboundary waters, principally the Taku, Stikine and Unuk watersheds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s congressional delegation pens another transboundary letter

It urges the State Department to protect Alaska’s watersheds.

In this file photo from 2015, a protester stands next to rubber boots on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol during a rally to bring attention to the long-term protection of transboundary waters, principally the Taku, Stikine and Unuk watersheds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Tracking the Outside money in Alaska politics

Since its inception, the Alaska Policy Forum has been guided by a vision of continuously growing prosperity in Alaska. Our work is to support policy… Continue reading

Unsplash.com stock image.
Flyfishing guide Mark Hieronymus speaks during the public comment period for the new Roadless Rule advisory committee at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Roadless rule committee questioned at first meeting

More roads may be built on the Tongass National Forest with the creation of a new Alaska-specific version of the national roadless rule. A committee… Continue reading

Flyfishing guide Mark Hieronymus speaks during the public comment period for the new Roadless Rule advisory committee at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Kim Raum-Suryan, left, Alicia Schuler, middle, and Aleria Jensen speak to Sayeik Gastineau Community School students about ocean conservancy on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Gastineau is one of two Juneau schools to start an Ocean Guardian program, which will work to clean up local shorelines and advocate for ocean issues. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Juneau schools launch Ocean Guardian program to combat marine mess

Students at Sayéik Gastineau Community School rummaged through trash at a school assembly on Friday. A shark, a dolphin, a salmon and a warrior looked… Continue reading

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Kim Raum-Suryan, left, Alicia Schuler, middle, and Aleria Jensen speak to Sayeik Gastineau Community School students about ocean conservancy on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Gastineau is one of two Juneau schools to start an Ocean Guardian program, which will work to clean up local shorelines and advocate for ocean issues. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Gov accepts climate change plan

Gov accepts climate change plan

The non-binding plan calls for carbon tax, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Gov accepts climate change plan
A dead sockeye salmon, dried in an interesting shape, in the Bristol Bay watershed on August 9, 2018. (Mary Catharine Martin | SalmonState)

The Salmon State: “Surfing the salmon wave” in Bristol Bay

By mid-August Bristol Bay’s river systems are choked with fish, but early July, when most of the bay’s sockeye salmon are fighting their way in… Continue reading

A dead sockeye salmon, dried in an interesting shape, in the Bristol Bay watershed on August 9, 2018. (Mary Catharine Martin | SalmonState)
Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Alaska, Washington and Oregon representatives settled negotiation Monday with Canada on how to share dwindling Chinook salmon harvests through a 10-year international treaty. The agreement,… Continue reading

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say