Detailed Timeline

1974

  • Early 1974: A delegation of residents from the Chugiak-Eagle River area travels to Juneau to advocate for additional state trooper support. They are informed this is a local government issue and express a desire to form their own borough, separate from Anchorage.

  • 1974: The Alaska state legislature passes special legislation known as Chapter 145 Session Laws of ’74, intended to facilitate the detachment of Chugiak-Eagle River from Anchorage.

  • August 27, 1974: Residents of Chugiak-Eagle River vote in an election, with 56% voting "yes" to detach from the Anchorage borough and form a new borough.

  • Post-August 1974: A new borough government for Chugiak-Eagle River begins to be created, including setting up departments and a budget.

  • Post-August 1974: A group of 26 residents opposing the detachment files a lawsuit, arguing that the detachment via special legislation was unconstitutional. The superior court initially upholds the detachment.

1975

  • 1975: The case regarding the Chugiak-Eagle River detachment is taken to the Alaska Supreme Court.

  • 1975: The Alaska Supreme Court rules that the special legislation (Chapter 145 Session Laws of ’74) was unconstitutional, dissolving the newly formed Chugiak-Eagle River borough. The Court states that the petition process through the Local Boundary Commission (LBC) should have been used instead.

  • 1975: Lee Jordan, who had been elected mayor of the dissolved borough, organizes a group and submits a detachment petition to the Local Boundary Commission.

  • October 29, 1975: Lee Jordan makes a presentation to the Alaska Local Boundary Commission regarding the detachment and incorporation of Chugiak-Eagle River from Anchorage.

  • Late 1975: The LBC finds that there is not enough reason for the Chugiak/Eagle River area to remain detached from Anchorage, effectively ending the 1975 detachment effort.

  • Unspecified time in 1970s (after detachment attempt): Anchorage residents elect a charter commission. Because Chugiak-Eagle River was briefly not part of Anchorage, its residents were not allowed to vote on the commission's creation. This commission subsequently reunifies Anchorage, incorporating several communities, including Eagle River.

2018

  • November 2018: An earthquake occurs, highlighting the vulnerability of bridge access to emergency services for Eagle River and Chugiak residents.

  • 2018: Michael Tavoliero and Matthew Hickey initiate the Eaglexit movement in response to residents' complaints about the Anchorage Assembly, the Anchorage School District (ASD), and perceived "second-class treatment" of Eagle River and Chugiak residents by Anchorage. The movement aims to use the Local Boundary Commission petition process, acknowledging it will take years.

Late 2024

  • October 19, 2024: Eaglexit holds a successful fundraiser, clearing over $40,000 from 250 sold tickets.

  • November-December 2024: The Eaglexit board submits the Charter for the new Chugach Regional Borough (CRB) to its legal counsel. The Education Charter is submitted to a separate legal team specializing in education and the ASD.

  • December 3, 2024: Eaglexit holds a town hall meeting at the Chugiak Eagle River Senior Center at 7 p.m., discussing progress and expected issues.

2025

  • January 2025: Eaglexit releases its January newsletter, announcing a new website designed by Nicole Brown. The Charter and Transition Plan are stated to be 90% complete, with an expected wrap-up in February. New audio podcasts and a marketing team led by Nani Palmer are announced.

  • February 6, 2025: Eaglexit holds its next town hall meeting at the Chugiak/Eagle River Senior Center at 7 p.m., focusing on progress and the financial consequences of detachment, with Sean Murphy presenting a financial analysis.

  • July 3, 2025: Eagle River hosts early Independence Day celebrations, sponsored by the Eagle River Lions Club, featuring food, entertainment, games, and a midnight firework show.

  • July 4, 2025: Anchorage's Fourth of July celebrations begin at 10 a.m. in Delaney Park, with a parade at 11 a.m., followed by an all-day festival. The annual Alaska Baseball League doubleheader (Anchorage Glacier Pilots vs. Anchorage Bucs) also takes place. Seward hosts fireworks at 12:01 a.m. and the Mount Marathon race later that morning.

  • Early July 2025: Girdwood Forest Fair, a tradition since 1975, takes place.

  • July 2025 (estimated): Eaglexit plans to have a booth at the Bear Paw Festival.

  • August 21, 2025: An Anchorage firefighter is violently assaulted at an assisted living facility after responding to a pull station activation, requiring hospitalization. This incident is noted as part of a rising trend of assaults on first responders.

  • May - September 2025 (Town Hall Schedule):May 13 (Tuesday): Town hall meeting on "What is a Home Rule Borough and why is it so cool?"

  • June 10 (Tuesday): Town hall meeting on the costs of detachment, anticipated tax changes, and startup funds.

  • July: No town hall meeting, but Eaglexit plans to be at the Bear Paw booth.

  • August 7 (Thursday): Town hall meeting where the education committee presents the structure of the new charter school district.

  • September 16 (Tuesday): Town hall meeting on the "Status of the Petition" and timeline, indicating the signature gathering phase is approaching.

Ongoing/Future (Estimated based on Eaglexit's proposed timeline)

  • Current Status: The Eaglexit board has revised and resubmitted the petition package to legal counsel for a second review.

  • Next Step: Informal Technical Review (& Revision) by the Local Boundary Commission (LBC) staff (up to 45 days, potentially with multiple revisions).

  • Following Step: Petition Signature gathering (target: 15,000 signatures from AD2 residents) and simultaneous LBC public meetings.

  • Following Step: Formal Review & Public Meetings by governor-appointed LBC members (up to one year).

  • Following Step: Public Vote by AD2 residents (residents outside AD2 are excluded).

  • Following Step: Implementation & Detachment (two years after a majority vote), including asset/liability separation, election of borough offices, and establishment of new school board positions.

  • Future School System: AD2 schools (12 elementary, 2 middle, 2 high schools, plus a potentially reopening JBER school) will convert to a charter model, starting with elementary schools. The Chugach School District (CSD) will operate as an open enrollment charter school district with community-led Academic Policy Committees (APCs) for each school, a limited School Board with term limits, and a Superintendent with reduced authority.

A Future of Local Independence

Our community is unique—defined by its strong values, neighborhoods that are both close-knit and also spread over miles of land, and unparalleled natural beauty. Yet, as part of the Municipality of Anchorage, our voice is often overshadowed, and our distinct needs are ignored. Detaching from Anchorage offers us an exciting opportunity to build a future tailored to our priorities. The new borough will be called the Chugach Regional Borough, and will encompass these communities.

Why Detachment Makes Sense

Local Governance that Reflects Our Values

By forming our own borough, we can ensure that our policies, taxes, and resources are managed by leaders who live here  and  understand our community's unique needs. Decisions would be made locally—not dictated by Anchorage’s urban-centric priorities. A small government structure would be easily accessible by the local citizens…imagine a mayor’s office where you can knock on the office door of the mayor and walk in for a chat. Imagine a  local  assembly comprised of your neighbors and friends who live in this area. Imagine schools where the students are taught math, science, reading, writing, civics and history, achieving excellent test scores.

Stronger Fiscal Accountability

Anchorage's expansive infrastructure and failing schools demand a significant portion of tax revenues, leaving less for our own needs. Detachment means our tax dollars stay local, funding our own school district, maintaining our roads, and providing services that directly benefit our communities.

Preserve & Celebrate Our Identity

We are more than a suburb—we are a community with our own culture, priorities, and way of life. Detachment allows us to strengthen our identity and focus on preserving what makes us special.

Tailored Economic Development

With autonomy, we can promote growth that aligns with our values, whether by fostering small businesses, investing in outdoor recreation, or responsibly managing local resources. The commercial sector of Eagle River is dying…how many new businesses have moved in or opened shop? And yet if we drive through Mat-Su Valley, we see new construction and brand-new businesses operating everywhere.

Control Over Public Services

From law enforcement to education, we can customize services to better suit the unique challenges and aspirations of our area. Imagine schools and public safety initiatives designed specifically for Eagle River and Chugiak.

 The Path Forward

This decision isn't about division; it's about empowerment.

By standing together, we can create a self-sufficient, vibrant borough

that reflects our community's spirit and ensures a brighter future for generations to come.

Join us in exploring this opportunity to secure our independence and shape a better tomorrow.

Together, we can chart a course where Eagle River and Chugiak thrive—on our terms.

Let’s make our voices heard.

 Milestones & Timeline

The below is a simplified timeline of the major milestones in the detachment process

outlined in Alaska Statute (AS) 29.06 and 3 Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) 110.

While we wish to detach as soon as possible, this process will take several years to complete.

In the infographic below we have given our estimate of when we hope each step will occur;

keep in mind those estimates will be adjusted depending on how long the current step takes.

If you have any questions regarding the below, please contact us here or join us for our next Town Hall.  

Step 1: Now (2025)

Draft the Petition

A complete petition is comprised of:

1) a Charter describing the total design of the new borough;

2) a Metes & Bounds Map showing the borders of the new borough;

3) a Transition Plan describing how we will implement the new government; and

4) a legal brief detailing the legal aspects of separation from the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA).

 Step 2: Informal Technical Review (& Revision) (2025)

Once the Eaglexit Board and legal counsel believe the petition package to be complete, it is submitted to the Local Boundary Commission (LBC) staff for an Informal Technical Review. The LBC Staff then up to 45 days to review the petition and respond as approved or needs revision. (While the LBC Staff are allotted up to 45 days, that does not mean they must use the full amount if they can complete the review in a shorter period. We are simply telling you the maximum timeline possible.)  If the petition package is not approved by the LBC in the first submission, then the Board and legal counsel will revise the petition package based on the feedback from the LBC Staff and resubmit. It is possible for multiple repetitions of submission and revision before the LBC Staff approves the documents and we are able to proceed to the following step.

 Step 3: Petition Signature

Once the petition package has been informally approved by the LBC Staff, we must obtain 15,000 signatures from residents of MOA Assembly District 2 (AD2) to proceed to a vote. While Eaglexit is obtaining signatures from AD2 residents, the LBC will hold public meetings for residents to comment on the proposed package.

 Step 4: Formal Review & Public Meetings

Once we have obtained the minimum number of signatures, the petition will be submitted to the LBC for Formal Review by the governor appointed members (not the staff). While reviewing the petition package, the LBC will simultaneously be posting Public Notices for Public Meetings to solicit input regarding the petition. The allotted time for this step in the process is one year. (While the LBC is allotted up to one year, that does not mean they must use the full amount if they can complete the review in a shorter period. We are simply telling you the maximum timeline possible.)

 Step 5: Public Vote

Once we have obtained the minimum number of signatures, the petition will be put to a vote by the residents of AD2. Residents of the MOA living outside of AD2 are not permitted to vote on the petition.

 Implementation & Detachment

Once the petition has received a majority vote, we enter the implementation phase in which we will have two years, according to Alaska Statute, to complete the detachment from the MOA. This is the phase in which the separation of assets and liabilities occurs, we elect people for borough offices, start filling new school board positions, etc.

 See a way your skills and abilities could help?

As this is a grass roots effort,

we could use help.

If you agree with our cause and

see a way in which you can be of assistance,

please contact us using the "Contact Us"