GET THE FACTS
The History and Development
​​THE AGREEMENT
​In 1980, Lake Clark National Park was established, protecting 4.2 million of acres of land and preserving the headwaters of the Bristol Bay watershed. Four years prior, in 1976 the Native Corporation Cook Inlet Regional, Inc (CIRI) chose approximately 21,000 acres beholden of valuable minerals including gold, copper, and silver inside what is now Lake Clark National Park. As part of the largest land exchange ever done, the Cook Inlet land exchange of 1976 was agreed upon. CIRI was granted the rights to transportation and deep-water port access through park lands. Without this agreement, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve would cease to exist.
THE MINING
​Minimal exploration and engineering efforts began in 1982 and ceased by 1995. Johnson Tract remained inactive until 2019, when CIRI signed a lease with HighGold to begin a more robust exploratory process. In June of 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) opened a very short comment period for 14 days. The public submitted their comments regarding the Johnson Tract mine's proposed easements. Thousands of people submitted comments opposing the easements and telling NPS that Lake Clark National Park is no place for a mining road, and deep-water port. In July 2024, Contango ORE acquired HighGold including the Johnson Tract project continuing the 10-year exploratory mining contract.
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In the beginning of 2025, the Department of the Interior conveyed the transportation easements within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve to CIRI. Now, CIRI and Contango Ore are in the process of narrowing down the easements, searching for the best path to place the road and deep-water port for the mine.
This map shows an overlay of the potential mine imprint upon the landscape. The impact to wildlife corridors, stream habitat, Tuxedni National Wildlife Refuge, and the designated critical beluga whale habitat will all be impacted by a mining road and deep-water port. What we can't see from this map are the hundreds of bears, moose, wolverines, wolves, birds and other wildlife that utilize this landscape. This pristine ecosystem would be devastated by loud noises, air pollution, and roadways that a gold mine would bring. As part of Lake Clark National Park, this intact bear habitat contributes and helps support the creation of 455 jobs and approximately $50.9 million dollars in economic output as reported by The Economic Contribution of Bear Viewing to Southcentral Alaska report prepared by Taylor B. Young and Joseph M. Little, School of Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks, May 2019.
What would happen if a spill were to occur? What would happen after the seven years of predicted mining ended? Who would be left to clean it up? How would this landscape recover? Or would it recover. These questions go unanswered. We are in this for the long haul. These landscapes need people like you and me to protect them. We can't do it alone.
The Bear Coast at Risk
Brown Bears
Lake Clark National Park is home to one of the densest brown bear populations left on earth. With an estimated 147 brown bears per 1000 square miles, they play an essential role as ecosystem curators and ambassadors for the wildness that defines Alaska.
Wild Salmon
The beauty and bounty of Cook Inlet's wild salmon are at risk of collapsing due to a multitude of factors which will be exacerbated by the effects of the Johnson Tract Mine's development, highway, and deep-water port.
Beluga Whales
The Johnson Tract mine is at the headwaters of the Johnson River. This is one of the most diverse wildlife corridors within the entire Lake Clark National Park. The Johnson River Valley and neighboring Tuxedni Bay are home to an abundance of charismatic megafauna, migratory bird species, and the beloved endangered Cook Inlet belugas.
Existing Industry
The lodge owners, commercial fisherfolk, and eco-tour operators that have made a living in Lake Clark National Park for decades may be severely impacted by this shortsighted mining operation that will irrevocably damage the ecosystems that existing economic drivers require to operate.
Map by Amy Tian, National Parks Conservation Association. Data: Johnson Tract Mine easement footprint obtained from map provided by National Park Service, Anadromous Waters Catalog from Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Beluga Whale Critical Habitat from NOAA Fisheries, Important Bird Areas from Audubon.
How Does it End?
The Friends of the Bear Coast are calling on individuals and global organizations to stand with us in our fight to keep the Bear Coast wild. This battle will not be easy, but it is worth fighting. Demanding the highest levels of accountability and protection at every permit proposal is crucial to making sure that our last remaining wildernesses are not bargained away in favor of short-term profit. Add your email to our email list so you can help us take advantage of the next upcoming National Park Service comment period.
