Southeast Alaska public requests state and federal action regarding growing threat of upstream Canadian large mines

October 12, 2016

CONTACT: 
Dr. Dave Chambers, P. Geop., president, Center for Science in Public Participation, (406) 599-0537
​Bev Sellars, chair, First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining, (250) 267-6924
Heather Hardcastle, campaign director, Salmon Beyond Borders, (907) 209-8486


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Southeast Alaska public requests state and federal action regarding growing threat of upstream Canadian large mines


Fishermen, business owners, scientists and municipal, Tribal and First Nations leaders urge State to do more to protect Alaskan rivers, jobs and fisheries.


JUNEAU, AK – The Alaska State House Fisheries Committee today heard the concerns of numerous Alaskans and Canadians about the potential negative impacts of British Columbia (B.C) mining operations on rivers shared by the two countries. 


“I haven’t eaten fish from the Fraser River in years - that is a loss of our culture. When I hear about B.C. mines, I worry about your culture here,” said Bev Sellars, chair, First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining. “We need this issue to be taken up by the International Joint Commission. You’ve got to get a binding agreement in writing.”


Commercial fishermen, business owners, municipal and Tribal leaders, world-renowned fisheries and mining experts, concerned residents and B.C. First Nations leaders told the Committee that large-scale mining in the watersheds of transboundary rivers including the Taku, Stikine and Unuk, poses a threat to jobs and livelihoods on both sides of the border.


Many who testified asked state leaders to formally request the involvement of United States and Canadian federal governments on this issue. 


“The value of the transboundary rivers is not just important to Southeast salmon fishermen, but also affects the overall Alaska salmon industry,” said Chip Treinen, commercial fisherman and United Fishermen of Alaska board member. “In order to have binding commitments that protect habitat by encouraging the highest standards of environmental protection, elevation to the International Joint Commission through the Boundary Waters Treaty seems to be a necessary action. I hope that Governor Walker, Lt. Gov Mallott and the legislature will unite in encouraging Secretary Kerry to take this issue to the International Joint Commission.”


Late last week, the State of Alaska and B.C. signed a non-binding agreement focused on transboundary waters. At today’s public hearing, many Alaskans asked how the state will fill gaps unaddressed by the document. Specifically, many who testified requested financial assurances for liabilities and enforceable measures that would protect the clean water, fisheries, jobs and ways of life in the transboundary region. 


“Presently, the B.C. government is not putting safety before economics as recommended by the Mount Polley Expert Panel,” said Dr. Dave Chambers, geophysicist and president of the Center for Science in Public Participation. “Moreover, B.C. is not implementing other key recommendations of the Mount Polley Expert Panel - a body appointed by the province to determine what went wrong at Mount Polley and how to avoid similar tailings dam failures in the future.”


According to a recent study from McDowell Group, the Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers combined account for $48 million in economic activity annually, including multiplier effects. The present value of the three watersheds combined is just under $1 billion over a 30-year timeframe. McDowell Group also notes that, with appropriate management, Southeast Alaska's transboundary watersheds can generate economic benefits in perpetuity.


###


Salmon Beyond Borders is a campaign driven by sport and commercial fishermen, community leaders, tourism and recreation business owners and concerned citizens, in collaboration with Tribes and First Nations, united across the Alaska/British Columbia border to defend and sustain our transboundary rivers, jobs and way of life. Visit us online at salmonbeyondborders.org and find us on Facebook andTwitter.