Fish Alaska Podcast

TAKE ACTION:The public comment period is open through September 21. If you care about Alaska's fish, wildlife, wild lands and outdoor traditions, learn more and submit a personalized comment here:

https://www.tu.org/conservation/action-center/

Rescinding the Roadless Rule:

What’s at Stake for Alaska’s Fish, Wildlife and Wild Lands

What happens when the protections that have kept millions of acres of Alaska’s forests roadless are removed? In this episode of the Fish Alaska Podcast, Melissa talks with Nelli Williams, Alaska Director for Trout Unlimited, and Marian Giannulis, Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Communications Director, about the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule and what it could mean for Alaska’s forests, rivers, fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation.The Roadless Rule has been in place for 25 years and protects approximately 14 million acres within Alaska’s Chugach and Tongass National Forests from industrial road building and logging while still allowing fishing, hunting, recreation and certain development activities.

Nelli and Marian explain where Alaska’s roadless lands are located, why these areas are important for salmon, steelhead and other wildlife, and what Trout Unlimited has learned through years of restoring fish habitat affected by roads and culverts.The conversation also looks at the economic side of the issue, including the importance of fishing and tourism to Southeast Alaska, the potential impacts on commercial and sport fishing businesses, and the costs associated with building and maintaining forest roads and repairing fish passage.Melissa,

Nelli and Marian also share personal stories from some of Alaska’s special roadless places, including the Situk River, Prince William Sound, the Chugach National Forest and Prince of Wales Island, and discuss why these landscapes matter to the people who fish, hunt, camp and recreate there.

Finally, they discuss the current public comment process and how Alaskans and people who love to visit Alaska can make their voices heard.

In this episode:

• The proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule

• The Chugach and Tongass National Forests

• Alaska’s 14 million acres of roadless lands

• Salmon, steelhead and fish habitat

• Roads, logging and fish passage

• The Situk River and Yakutat• Hunting and recreation in roadless areas

• Fishing and tourism economies

• The cost of forest roads and culvert restoration

• What the Roadless Rule does—and does not—prevent

• How to participate in the public comment process

Guests:

Nelli Williams — Alaska Director, Trout Unlimited

Marian Giannulis — Alaska Communications Director, Trout Unlimited

Learn more and find the resources discussed in this episode at Fish Alaska Magazine.

https://www.fishalaskamagazine.com/roadless-rule/

Explore the complexities of fisheries management in Alaska through this engaging discussion with representatives from the Kenai River Sport Fishing Association (KRSA) and seasoned fishery professionals. Learn about conservation efforts, regulatory challenges, and community engagement that shape sustainable fisheries for future generations. Host Melissa Norris is joined by KRSA Executive Director Shannon Martin and Senior Fisheries Advisor Kevin Delaney.

Jesse Glamann, co-owner of Big Ray's in Anchorage, Kodiak and Fairbanks sits down with Fish Alaska Publisher Melissa Norris to share more information about this amazing community program they founded that gives Alaska's youth the rod that started it all.

This blog and podcast by Fish Alaska magazine spins off from the article in the April 2026 issue about a woman named Meadow Riedel from Fairbanks who was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer, beat it and lives to remind others to get their mammograms and perform self checks. Meadow and her dear friends formed the Talk Derby to Me posse and spread their joy for life at the Valdez Women's Silver Salmon Derby. Catch the blog and article by Melissa Norris and listen in as Melissa, Meadow and Laurie Prax from the Valdez Fish Derbies volunteer committee talk about the Women's Derby, Meadow's experience and this year's event. Fish Alaska Blog: https://www.fishalaskamagazine.com/womens-silver-salmon-derby/

If you want to plan a trip to Valdez for the Women's Derby or their overall Halibut Derby, Silver Salmon Derby or Kid's Derby, check out https://www.valdezfishderbies.com/

A look back on the town of Cooper Landing and the upper Kenai River fishery its known for with the founders of Alaska Wildland Adventures' Kenai River Lodge. Hosted by Fish Alaska Publisher and Founder Melissa Norris.