Chinook, coho, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon all return in great numbers to the streams and lakes of the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Basin each summer to spawn.   The Susitna River run of Chinook salmon is the fourth largest in the state.   Yet rapid growth in the Mat-Su Basin affects quality of life for salmon and residents.  Across the basin, residents value healthy fish and wildlife populations, open space, clean air and water, recreational opportunities, and a rural lifestyle.  For many, salmon are an integral part of their heritage and culture, and fishing is a regular part of life and an important means of caring for their families.  Population growth in the region at its current pace, combined with the current regulatory framework, enforcement, and common development and recreation practices, cause many people concern that these values can not be maintained.  The greatest risk to habitat for salmon and other freshwater fish in the Mat-Su Basin may be many small actions compounding over time to degrade riparian habitat and water quality, change water flow and quantity, and block access to habitat. 

The Matanuska-Susitna Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership formed to address increasing impacts on salmon from human use and development in the Mat-Su Basin with a collaborative and cooperative approach that would bring together diverse stakeholders.  Rapid population growth and the accompanying pressures for development will increasingly challenge the ability of stakeholders to balance fish habitat conservation with these changes over time. Water quality, water quantity, and other fish habitat-related conditions are among some of the more important issues that will have to be addressed to maintain the fish habitat required to sustain fish productivity.  

The Partnership has a vision of thriving fish, healthy habitats, and vital communities in the Mat-Su Basin.

 

Directory for the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership:

  

DOWNLOAD the Application to join the Partnership!

Click on Calendar in the upper left to find out about upcoming Partnership events.

Click here for a keyword directory of the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership's workspace.

If you have any trouble with this workspace, please contact Corinne Smith (corinne_smith@tnc.org).