Work
Land
Protecting the Tongass via the Roadless Rule
In 2015, with the financial support of his nonprofit cruise line The Boat Company, Hunter Hartford McIntosh partnered with several environmental organizations to successfully remove an “exemption” to the “Roadless Rule” in the Tongass National Forest.
The success resulted in the preservation of old growth forest, which is in turn needed for the survival of several wildlife species of the area.
Efforts began in 2000. The exemption of the Roadless Rule to The Tongass National Forest was successfully removed in 2015. As this area is still considered Public Land and more, Hunter continues to keep his eyes peeled for industry attempts to reverse legislation.
If you have any information, would like to connect and/or provide support in this matter, please contact us.
Water
Fight for Imperiled Wolves to Qualify for “Endangered Species” Status
In 2011, Hunter advocated for the Alexander Archipelago Wolf of Southeast Alaska. He had been made aware of how the species was imperiled as he frequented the area and noticed the species’ behaviors and apparent decline.
In 1993, this species was petitioned to be protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, yet four years later the agency found such designation was not warranted.
While long and resilient efforts were carried out by loyal advocates for the species, this project began for Hunter in 2010. In 2011, he helped support the filing of a second petition to list the Alexander Archipelago Wolf for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Three years later this time, in 2014, advocates for the species were rewarded with an “initial finding” that such designation of the species “may be warranted.” It was in 2016 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued another “not warranted” finding.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined in 2021 that petition for the species designation should be evaluated. In August 2023, after conducting a formal status review, the Service announced that such designation was not warranted.
If you have any information, would like to connect and/or provide support in this matter, please contact us.
Wasteful Aquatic Habitat and Wildlife Destruction from “Trawler” Bycatch
Hunter’s newest initiative is to go after the fishing “trawlers” (vessels which drag long nets through open water in order to minimize efforts to catch fish) providing pollock to fast-food chains in the U.S.
He has seen first-hand how these trawlers are not selective — for they are simply nets — killing and destroying everything in their wakes. As a result, thousands of pounds of salmon, other fish, aquatic plant life and even Orca Whales are needlessly killed from these activities.
As Hunter’s newest initiative, he is currently spreading awareness about this cause and aims to establish a collective of key players to help promote regulations around the trawlers.
If you have any information, would like to connect and/or provide support in this matter, please contact us.