enter to win a trip to brooks falls in katmai national park

Brooks Falls hosts some of the highest concentration of brown bears on the planet during the summer when millions of wild salmon are running through river systems in Bristol Bay. Salmon and bears return year after year due to clean water and healthy fish habitat, two resources that Indigenous Peoples from Bristol Bay, sport anglers, hunters and commercial fishermen have been working to durably protect from hard rock mining proposals like Pebble.

Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed Clean Water Act safeguards for the region, and are currently seeking public comments on the proposal.

how to enter

It’s pretty straightforward- submit a comment to the EPA between August 8th and August 22nd via the form below. The email you use for your comment will be used to contact you if you are the winner. If you’ve already submitted a comment, you’re automatically entered in to the giveaway. Winner will be randomly chosen on August 23, 2022.

trip details

The winner will receive two day trip tickets on Katmai Air from Anchorage to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park for the 2023 bear viewing season (June- September 2023). The giveaway is valued at ~$2,300 and cannot be exchanged for cash or other trips. Save Bristol Bay staff will work with the winner to book the trip through Katmai Air for the winner’s desired dates (subject to Katmai Air schedules and availability). Read more about Katmai Air’s day trip details.

why clean water Act protections?

The key federal permit for the proposed Pebble mine was denied in November 2020. Now, Clean Water Act protections are needed to ensure Pebble- or another mining company- cannot return in the future.

For nearly two decades, local people in Bristol Bay have been requesting protections for water resources and fish habitat in southwest Alaska that support Indigenous traditions and food systems, a $1.5 billion commercial and recreational fishery, and a world-class hunting and fishing destination. Clean Water Act protections were first proposed in 2014 garnering overwhelming support from local communities and allies nationwide. The proposed protections were never finalized. Last year, the Biden Administration recommitted to Clean Water Act protections for Bristol Bay and released revised proposed protections in May 2022. The EPA has opened a public comment period, and hosted hearings in the region and virtually, to accept public feedback on the proposed protections. The comment period will remain open until September 6th, 2022. Read more about the history of Clean Water Act protections in Bristol Bay here.

about brooks camp

Situated at the mouth of the Brooks River and the shore of Naknek Lake, Brooks Camp attracts people from all over the world to view brown bears, enjoy world-class fishing, and learn about the long human history of the area. It is also a starting point for many backcountry adventures. The popular Brooks Falls bear cam allows visitors to witness the incredible return of bears and fish to Brooks Camp every summer. Brooks Camp and Katmai National Park is situated on the traditional lands of the Yup’ik and Alutiiq Peoples.