For the Love of Salmon

For the Love of Salmon

A few years ago, I had the laden privilege of reeling in my very first King Salmon. It was a simultaneously joyous and grief-wrought experience, because as grateful as I was to have caught this magnificent creature that would feed me and my kin, it also meant I was taking its life and ending her worldwide journey just before she reached home to fulfill her life’s cycle. 

When this beautiful fish was filleted, we discovered that it was not only a King Salmon, but an extremely rare white king, or Queen, as I call her. Her belly was full of eggs that would never meet their home and have a chance at life. I had taken that possibility away. The wake of this experience ripples forth. 

Right now, we have an opportunity and responsibility to restore the Eklutna River to her entirety. That means, removing the dam, which would allow these Mighty Kings and Queens to return to their home and be given a proper chance at survival. 

I believe that all Alaskans know the immense value that salmon bring to our way of life. Protecting them and ensuring their survival for generations to come should be our collective priority. 

I am a born and raised Alaskan who is trying to do my best to show up well for one another, the lands and waters we’ve taken, and all who dwell there. I am by no means an expert engineer, policy-maker, or scientist. As an educator, I know the importance of distributing information in a manner that is clear, true, understandable, relatable, and effective. 

I’ve attended the public meetings on the current Eklutna proposals laid out by Municipal Light & Power, Chugach Electric Association, Inc., and the Matanuska Electric Association (MEA). I have listened to and studied their plans, and learned about what else is possible. What becomes apparent is that these organization’s claims that removing the dam is not a viable option are not substantiated with actual study and analysis. They have not done it, period. 

One thing is clear: these meetings are laden with metrics, acronyms, and language that are confusing to the general public. I believe they are meant to overwhelm, and thus disengage us because it’s over our heads. My sense is that these sessions are provided to to placate the public into passivity so we leave it to the “professionals” to do what’s best. 

I think many of us will agree that being manipulated does not land well. If something smells fishy, it’s because it is.

Slowing down and taking the necessary time to ask critical questions of this plan are needed. I applaud the Anchorage Assembly for calling a two-year halt in this process, and hope leadership is listening and acting accordingly. 

Restore the Eklutna. Restore our faith in the systems that were designed to support us. Repair relationship with the original stewards of this place. 

Let the Kings return home, and as Frida Kahlo said so well, "wake to your wake." 

Submit your comments to info@eklutnahydro.com by Monday, February 19th.