The fate of the Alaska Coastal Management Program now lies in voters’ hands.

Legislators in Juneau introduced a bill this spring that would revive the program and circumvent the ballot initiative process, but it failed to get any traction. There are no plans to reconsider it during the current special session. Now, voters will decide during the August 28 primary election whether or not to reinstate the program.

The coastal management program allowed local stakeholders to provide input on activities taking place on federal waters and lands. The program lapsed last year after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement that would keep it in place. Alaska is now the only coastal state