Nuyakuk Hydroelectric Proposal Update

Nushagak Electric Cooperative has taken the next step to advance its proposed Nuyakuk River Hydroelectric Project. 

The Cooperative has submitted a document called the Draft License Application with the federal agency in charge of issuing its license. UTBB is taking the time to review this closely, and working with technical experts to make sure we fully understand what has been proposed and its impacts. We will share a summary of the analysis after our internal team and experts are able to review 700+ pages of technical information.

If you would like to review the document for yourself, you may do so here. 

Public comments will play a big role in this review process. Tribes, individuals, state agencies such as the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and others, will have the opportunity to officially weigh in over the next 90 days. This input helps the federal agency decide whether to allow the project to advance (issue a license), and if so, what conditions would need to be met by the Cooperative to move forward with the project.

Based on information Nushagak Cooperative has shared in the past, UTBB has raised concerns about how this project could affect Nuyakuk salmon populations. We will be looking closely at this new document to see whether it addresses those concerns.

UTBB understands that our region is facing an energy crisis, and we support moving toward sustainable energy. At the same time, salmon are the lifeblood of Bristol Bay, and healthy salmon runs depend on a healthy natural habitat. Because of this, the UTBB Board of Directors will only support energy projects that pose no long-term risk to salmon and their habitat, and that can clearly show they won't cause harm.

For now, the best way to get involved is to sign up for email updates.

We will reach out with additional information that could help inform your own comment, as well as how to submit it.