Partnership makes it possible.
The Resurrection Creek Phase II Restoration Project is made possible by a unique partnership between Trout Unlimited, Kinross Alaska, Hope Mining Company, the National Forest Foundation, and the Forest Service.
Although the project had public support and the Forest Service completed its environmental review for Phase II in 2015, a lack of funding and limited resources caused the project to stall for years. Phase II began to gain steam in earnest in early 2021 when Trout Unlimited and Kinross Alaska jointly formed the Alaska Abandoned Mine Restoration Initiative and provided the spark that was needed to the get the project going.
The Initiative is the first partnership of its kind in Alaska, where a non-profit conservation organization and a major mining company are working side-by-side to restore important salmon habitat and mitigate the impact of historic mining. It is an opportunity to demonstrate a joint commitment to responsible resource development for the benefit of the Alaska economy while caring for the waterways, lands and fish that are so important for our communities and future generations.
About Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited, the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization, is dedicated to caring for and recovering America’s rivers and streams so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. Across the country, TU brings to bear local, regional and national grassroots organizing, durable partnerships, and science-backed policy muscle on behalf of trout and salmon fisheries, healthy waters and vibrant communities. In Alaska, we work with sportsmen and women to ensure the state’s trout and salmon resources remain healthy far into the future through our local chapters and offices in Anchorage and Juneau.
About Kinross Alaska
Kinross Alaska is comprised of the Fort Knox mine, adjacent Gil project, and the Manh Choh joint venture project. Fort Knox, near Fairbanks, has been responsibly operating since 1996 and employs over 700 employees. The mine is a significant contributor to the economy and well-being of interior Alaska with a cumulative state-level benefit footprint totaling over US$2.8 billion since 2010. Manh Choh is located on Tetlin tribal land near Tok. Kinross will truck the high grade ore to Fort Knox for processing, which reduces the environmental footprint by removing the need for a tailings facility.
About U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service manages more than 192 million acres of public land as national forests and grasslands As a Federal agency, we connect people to nature, and care for shared natural resources to promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The Chugach National Forest is the most northern and westerly forest in the National Forest System and covers 5.4 million acres -- roughly the size of New Hampshire. Encompassing three distinct landscapes, the Forest is the backyard for more than half of Alaskan residents and is a coveted destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
About National Forest Foundation
The National Forest Foundation is the leading organization inspiring personal and meaningful connections to our National Forests, the centerpiece of America’s public lands. Working on behalf of the American public, the NFF leads forest conservation efforts and promotes responsible recreation. We believe these lands, and all they provide, are an American treasure and are vital to the health of our communities. Our work in Alaska includes investments from the Alaska Forest Fund, a partnership with the USFS Alaska Region, which has contributed over $1 million to improve the Chugach and Tongass National Forests.”
About Hope Mining Company
Hope Mining Company provides gold mining opportunity on the Cook Inlet side of the historic Resurrection Creek Drainage that terminates in the historic mining town of Hope, Alaska.