U.S. Border Patrol installing two cameras at Taku Inlet to monitor US-Canada vessel traffic

Monitoring part of escalating effort by officials who say they are seeking out illegal drug activity

Two sensor cameras are being installed to monitor vessels in Taku Inlet, part of a heightened effort in recent months by U.S. Border Patrol and other officials who say they are seeking to thwart illegal activity such as drug smuggling between Canada and the U.S.

A notice of decision authorizing a 10-year special-use permit was published Wednesday by the U.S. Forest Service. The permit contains numerous provisions to reduce environmental impacts in the wilderness area about 12 miles southeast of Juneau, but no public objections to the project were raised after official notice of the proposal was published May 1, according to Juneau District Ranger Michael Downs.

"On May 1, 2025, this action was listed as a proposal on the Tongass National Forest Schedule of Proposed

Actions (SOPA)," he wrote in a five-page decision memo. "An email that provided a description of the proposal and contact information for questions and comments was sent to 527 self-identified interested parties. No public comments were made within seven days of listing on the SOPA and no responses were received from the 527 recipients."

The cameras will be installed at Point Bishop on the west side of Taku inlet and a spot along the east coastline, according to the decision.

"In addition to the two cameras, the US Border Patrol also requests to install solar panels and mounts, and backup batteries with charging equipment housed in a locked box," the decision notes. "In total, about 50 pounds of equipment will be installed at each site. The installation of this equipment is anticipated to occur over a 2-day period with periodic access for routine maintenance for the duration of the 10-year permit."

The Border Patrol has elevated its presence in Juneau during the past several months, including the stationing of two full-time officers in Alaska’s capital city, but agency officials note that deployment was in the works months before President Donald Trump was elected to a second term last November. Increased immigration enforcement has occurred in Alaska since he began his second term in January, although no raids in Juneau — or arrests from activity along the Taku River — have been publicly reported.

A joint patrol flight of Border Patrol and Alaska Wildlife Troopers officials on May 19, with no observations of illegal activity reported, is among the recent activities by agency officials.

“Patrolling the wild frontier!” the Blaine office declared in a post on its Facebook page May 21. “On Monday, Agents and Alaska Wildlife Troopers partnered for aerial patrols near the Taku River in Juneau, AK where Alaska meets Canada. Our presence in Alaska is growing and we are just getting started!”

Restrictions on the impact of those operations when it comes to the two new cameras are intended to limit impacts on wildlife and natural features of the area, according to Downs.

"Due to the noise disturbance and structures, a permit may be required by United States Fish and

Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management program," he wrote. The memo also states that to "avoid disturbing or destroying other nests protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, do not clear brush during the May 1 – July 15 nesting season. Holder’s personnel must watch for and avoid any area where distressed birds are encountered."

There are no endangered species or other critical habit issues that would require a denial of the permit, Downs wrote. However, efforts to minimize physical and visual impacts are mandated.

"The structure must be placed in a location not visible from the viewshed of Visual Priority Routes, meaning any structure must not be visible from the Taku River," he wrote. "The tower must be constructed or treated with non-reflective, neutral-toned finishes that visually recede into the surrounding environment. Bright, glossy, or reflective materials must be strictly avoided to reduce potential visual contrast with the natural landscape."

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.