Keeping Alaska's Waters Clean and Productive
for Generations to Come

ACWA, a project of the Earth Island Institute, works to prevent the degradation of public waters through advocacy, education, litigation, legislation and market campaigns in support of the fundamental goals of the federal Clean Water Act:

  1. All Alaska waters should protect aquatic life and be safe for recreation.
  2. The discharge of all pollutants into public waters should be eliminated.

Climate change is impacting the far north more dramatically than anywhere else on the planet.  Our waters, and the people and wildlife that depend upon them every day, have never needed more support.

Recent News:

SCOTUS Upholds CWA – Palmer Project On Hold

SCOTUS Upholds CWA – Palmer Project On Hold

A major win for the Clean Water Act (CWA) at the U.S. Supreme Court for protecting waters in Alaska and the whole nation!  By a 6-3 margin, SCOTUS affirmed a 9th Circuit decision in the “Maui” case, which requires a surface water discharge permit when pollutants released into groundwater are likely to contaminate nearby surface waters.

Current Projects

CHILKAT CHALLENGE TRIATHLON

The 4th Annual Chilkat Challenge Triathlon will be held on July 11th, 2020. For more information and to register, go to http://www.chilkatchallengetriathlon.com/

ACWA hosted the 3rd Annual Chilkat Challenge Triathlon in Haines, Alaska on July 6th, 2019! The CCT is an 9 mile paddle, 22 mile bike ride, 6 mile run along the Chilkat River, through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Racers competed solo, two, or three-person teams. Winners received great prizes from our sponsors and had a great time throughout the event!

Save the Chilkat!

Click this link to read about our efforts to protect the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve from a large scale copper/zinc mine that threatens to eliminate five major salmon runs, the eagles and bears that need those fish to survive, and the sustainable fishing and tourism industries that have thrived in the Chilkat Valley for decades…

Find out more here: SAVE THE CHILKAT!