Our Mission

A Brief History

On March 24th, 1989 the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled millions of gallons of crude into the pristine waters and onto the shores, devastating the Prince William Sound ("Sound"), ecosystem. The Exxon oil spill spurred us into action. To find out more: Read the brief background on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

The Copper River and the Delta are currently threatened by road and trail building for the purpose of oil, gas, coal, timber extraction and industrial tourism. The surrounding Rainforests are suffering from massive clearcuts. Over 50,000 acres in the Sound have been clearcut since the oil spill.

Our mission is to protect the inherent rights of culture, heritage, language and ancestral lands needed to preserve and restore the Eyak tribes continued existence as an independently recognized Alaska tribal nation. We believe that an intact Eyak ecosystem is a living monument of proof that humans can coexist in harmony with the planet into the 21st century and beyond.

The Copper River Delta bioregion is one of the last incredible and amazing wild places left on earth. The Delta hosts millions of shorebirds from around the planet. Visually stunning, it is ringed by majestic mountains of rainforest and ice. Its pristine wild nature provides for an explosive multitude of wild animals, fish and flora. This region is part of the Chugach National Forest and the Wrangell St. Elias Range. Under Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA,1980) Congress explicitly recognized the extraordinary nature of the Copper River and Copper River Delta, stating that "the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitat shall be the primary purpose for the management of the Copper River Delta and the Copper River-Bering River portion of the existing Chugach National Forest." Notably, this is the only region in the USFS forest system in which the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife populations are afforded this statutory priority.

One of EPC's most difficult and humbling tasks is showing and sharing our world and way of life with others in order to save it. We must find a way to preserve the Copper River without having to exploit it or by bringing too much attention to its beauty. Our goal is to see this entire region preserved as a wild place - roadless and wild.

By preserving the Copper River Delta, we have a unique opportunity to preserve Native culture and heritage, promote sustainable communities, and preserve and foster: Spirituality, Sovereignty and Subsistence. We see great hope for the future of our homeland, where over 90% of the humans still practice a healthy subsistence lifestyle, harvesting and sharing sustainable and renewable natural resources - the gifts of the earth.

Copyright © 1999, Eyak Preservation Council. All rights reserved

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