Located in the Heart of Juneau on Lingít Aaní—the ancestral lands of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples—a roughly 5,000-acre wetlands complex and public refuge supports an abundance of species.
Taashuyee-Chookan.aani/Mendenhall Wetlands is a globally recognized Important Bird Area, a State Game Refuge, and a stop along the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail. It has the third-greatest acreage of vegetated tidal salt marsh of all estuaries in Southeast Alaska. It is widely acknowledged to be one of the key migratory waterfowl and shorebird stopover locations of coastal Alaska and is of outstanding value to waterbirds, waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. A total of 230 species of birds have been documented to occur on the Mendenhall Wetlands IBA.
However, the wetlands have long been under threat by the heavily debated Juneau Douglas North Crossing—a major development project that would cut through the wetlands.
The Juneau Douglas North Crossing could significantly impact the 3,786-acre Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. The project proposes to develop a “second crossing” between Juneau and Douglas Island. The Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study has determined which sites for crossing construction will continue for review under the National Environmental Policy Act. It will then be determined if the proposed actions will have significant environmental effects. These wetlands are not only a haven for wildlife enthusiasts; they’re fishing and hunting areas with vital spawning grounds for anadromous fish.
The Juneau Douglas North Crossing draft PEL Study is now available at jdnorthcrossing.com. Take action by submitting your comment to DOWL, the firm overseeing the project in collaboration with the City and Borough of Juneau and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, before June 9, 2025.
If a second crossing is necessary, the Salmon Creek route is preferred—it's the least damaging option for wildlife and public access and the only “off-Refuge” alternative. But before hitting send on your comment, take a moment to make it your own! Customizing your message is also strongly encouraged. Feel free to add your own language or tweak the message.
If you live in Juneau, mark your calendars for Open House No. 3 on the Juneau Douglas North Crossing PEL Study. It's scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center (the JACC). Meet the project team, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the project and the Mendenhall Wetlands.
