Cases

Juneau Access

In Brief:

This suit challenges the approval of a highway project that would extend the road north of Juneau, Alaska, through an inventoried roadless area in the Tongass National Forest to a new ferry terminal. The road threatens key wildlife areas, including bald eagle and Steller sea lion habitat, as well as important recreation, subsistence, and cultural resources.

In February 2009, an Alaska District Court Judge ruled that the Federal Highway Administration and the Alaska Department of Transportation failed to adequately consider ferry alternatives in approving the Juneau Road and ferry mega-project. The decision stops all construction on the project until the Alaska Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration can do a new environmental impact statement that includes ferry alternatives in considering the best option for travel in Lynn Canal.

Updated: July 1, 2009

Case #4628