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April 6, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Heather Hardcastle, Salmon Beyond Borders, (907) 209-8486 Salmon Beyond Borders Statement Following Passage of House Joint Resolution 9 Through the Alaska House Fisheries Committee JUNEAU, ALASKA - Today, “House Joint Resolution 9: Canadian Mines on Transboundary Rivers (HJR 9)" successfully passed in the House Fisheries Committee. This resolution, introduced by Representative Ortiz (I - Ketchikan) and sponsored by Representatives Kreiss-Tomkins, Tuck, Tarr, and Parish, “urges the United States government to continue to work with the government of Canada to investigate the long-term, region-wide downstream effects of proposed and existing industrial development and to develop measures to ensure that state resources are not harmed by upstream development in British Columbia.” In response to the passage of HJR 9, Heather Hardcastle of Salmon Beyond Borders stated: “We are pleased to see the Alaska House Fisheries Committee join thousands of Alaskans, and the Alaska congressional delegation in support of an international framework, under which the U.S. and Canadian federal governments can develop enforceable protections and financial assurances to defend Alaska’s valuable resources and way of life. This framework would be complimentary to the State of Alaska’s current non-binding Statement of Cooperation with British Columbia.” HJR 9 will be heard in the House Resources Committee Monday, April 10 at 1:00 p.m. in room 124. ### 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.
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April 4th, 2017
CONTACT: Heather Hardcastle, Campaign Director, Salmon Beyond Borders, (907) 209-8486 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Salmon Beyond Borders statement regarding April 6th legislative hearing, resolution concerning upstream mining development in British Columbia JUNEAU, AK – From 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Thursday, April 6, the House Fisheries Committee will hear expert and public testimony related to the threats to Alaskans posed by upstream mining development in British Columbia. The Committee will decide how the State of Alaska should address concerns by a growing number of residents and business owners who rely on the imperiled transboundary rivers shared by Alaska and British Columbia. Specifically, Committee members will decide whether to advance House Joint Resolution 9 (HJR 9), which urges the United States and Canadian federal governments to resolve the issue of potential harm to Alaska resources by Canadian mining. HJR 9 states: “BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature strongly urges the United States government to continue to work with the government of Canada to investigate the long-term, region-wide downstream effects of proposed and existing industrial development and to develop measures to ensure that state resources are not harmed by upstream development in British Columbia.” Concerning upstream development threats to Alaskan interests, HJR 9 sponsor, Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan), recently stated the following in a Feb. 22 opinion editorial published in the Juneau Empire: “Therefore, I believe a first order of business is for the state of Alaska to join with our congressional delegation, tribal governments, and thousands of residents in asking the U.S. federal government to secure immediate and enforceable protections and financial assurances for Alaskans who depend on the rivers of Southeast.” The statement from Heather Hardcastle of Salmon Beyond Borders is as follows: “We’re grateful that Rep. Ortiz and the Fisheries Committee are working to ensure these important protections for Southeast Alaska residents and businesses move forward at the federal level as quickly as possible. We’re hopeful that Thursday’s hearing is a step toward to the State of Alaska explicitly outlining how it will work with the United States federal government to secure enforceable protections and financial compensation for impacts related to Canadian transboundary mining projects.” ### 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 and Twitter. December 20, 2016
Contact: Heather Hardcastle, Salmon Beyond Borders, (907) 209-8486 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Salmon Beyond Borders responds to first meeting for AK-BC Statement of Cooperation JUNEAU - In response to a press release today from the Walker administration regarding implementation of the Alaska-British Columbia (BC) Statement of Cooperation on Protection of Transboundary Waters, Heather Hardcastle, Campaign Director of Salmon Beyond Borders, made the following statement: “Alaskans want enforceable protections and financial guarantees for transboundary rivers that are threatened by large-scale mining projects upstream in BC. This was made loud and clear by hundreds of Alaskans at the House Fisheries Committee Transboundary Hearing in October. These protections cannot be established through the Alaska-BC non-binding Statement of Cooperation. It is good to hear that Alaska and BC officials met for the first time to implement the Statement of Cooperation, but we encourage the State to join with the Alaska congressional delegation, Alaska legislators, and thousands of Alaskans to go beyond the Statement of Cooperation, and make the explicit ask of the U.S. government to secure a binding and enforceable international agreement with Canada. Additionally, we are eager to learn how the State of Alaska will respond to the BC government’s recent findings that water samples taken from the Tulsequah Chief mine in the Taku watershed are ‘acutely toxic,’ as this was not mentioned in the State’s press release today, and BC Minister Bill Bennett promised more than a year ago to clean up this pollution.”### 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. Find us online at www.salmonbeyondborders.org or on Facebook. Study finds threatened Southeast Alaska rivers generate an annual $48 million in economic activity11/17/2016 November 17, 2016
CONTACT: Heather Hardcastle, campaign director, Salmon Beyond Borders, 907-209-8486, heather@salmonstate.org Kirsten Shelton, project manager, McDowell Group, 907-419 -5806, kirstensheltonwalker@mcdowellgroup.net FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Study finds threatened Southeast Alaska rivers generate an annual $48 million in economic activity Regional business owners call for international protections to safeguard jobs and livelihoods sustained by Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers. JUNEAU, AK – Today, the McDowell Group released an economic study commissioned by Salmon Beyond Borders finding the present value of three transboundary watersheds threatened by British Columbia (B.C.) mining are valued at just under $1 billion, when considering a 30-year horizon. McDowell Group also stated, with appropriate management, Southeast Alaska's transboundary watersheds can generate economic benefits in perpetuity. Alaskans are increasingly concerned about the number, size and scope of large-scale metal mines in various phases of development on the B.C. side of these watersheds, and say this analysis is another reminder of the need for binding, international protections for these iconic watersheds and the livelihoods they sustain. "The statistics of this economic study highlight the robust yet fragile natural systems on which we depend. Securing enforceable protections for their integrity and future generations is of paramount importance,” said Cynthia Wallesz, Executive Director of United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters. The economic analysis completed by the McDowell Group, an Alaska-based research and consulting firm, measures the economic impacts in Southeast Alaska of the Taku, Stikine and Unuk River watersheds. The study also briefly considers economic contributions to Southeast Alaska from the Nass and Skeena Rivers, two rivers systems that also have cross-border economic impacts. To assess these impacts, McDowell Group focused on two key industries in the region: commercial fishing and the visitor and recreation industry. McDowell Group found that, combined, the Taku, Stikine and Unuk River watersheds account for $48 million in economic activity annually, including multiplier effects. This includes $34 million in direct spending, 400 jobs for the Southeast region, and almost $20 million in labor income. The firm also estimates the ex-vessel value and first wholesale value of Nass and Skeena River sockeye that are commercially caught in Alaska waters is approximately $620,000, and over $1.3 million, respectively. “These numbers are huge and very significant, especially when we consider they are so conservative. The analysis looks primarily at fishing and visitor industry potential impacts and isn’t capable of quantifying the full subsistence and lifestyle values of these iconic river systems,” said Brenda Schwartz-Yeager a fourth-generation Alaskan, and owner-operator of Alaska Charters and Adventures, which takes visitors up the Stikine River on jet boats. “Just think, if we can prevent any negative impacts by B.C. mining, these rivers will continue to sustain us both economically and protect a way of life that is tethered closely to these essential rivers.” McDowell Group noted that measuring transboundary watershed-related economic activity specifically is complex because data is scant, and it can be difficult to separate the threatened watersheds from the larger ecosystem and economy that includes all of Southeast Alaska and Canada. “Despite the limitations in the study, there is no question that the bounty from these rivers provides thousands of jobs that contribute to the well-being of communities on both sides of the border,” said Dale Kelley, Executive Director of the Alaska Trollers Association. “These watersheds are economic powerhouses and worthy of international protections.” Last month, the Alaska House Fisheries Committee held a hearing on the transboundary mining issue where hundreds of Alaskans asked how the State will address issues unaddressed by the non-binding Statement of Cooperation on Protection of Transboundary Waters recently signed by B.C. and the State. Specifically, almost all 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. The hearing spurred House Fisheries Committee Chair, Representative Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) to send a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry requesting international agreements on this issue between the U.S. and Canada. The Alaska congressional and Washington State U.S. Senate delegations have sent similar letters to the U.S. State Department. ### 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 and Twitter. 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. Alaska House Fisheries Committee to hold public hearing on growing threat of transboundary mining10/6/2016 October 6, 2016
CONTACT: Jill Weitz, Salmon Beyond Borders, (907) 957-9504 MEDIA ADVISORY Alaska House Fisheries Committee to hold public hearing on growing threat of transboundary mining JUNEAU, AK – At the invitation of the Alaska House Fisheries Committee, Alaska commercial fishermen, business owners, municipal and Tribal leaders and concerned citizens will attend a hearing next Wednesday, October 12 concerning threats posed by large-scale mining development near the headwaters of rivers flowing from British Columbia into Alaska. The Committee recognizes Alaskan concerns and requests input on advancing this critical issue. Several experts have been invited to give brief presentations at the start of the hearing, including State of Alaska officials, Alaska and British Columbia indigenous leaders, and mining and fishing industry leaders. An analyst from McDowell Group will also present findings from a just-completed analysis of the economic impact of transboundary rivers. Earlier today, the State of Alaska and British Columbia signed a non-binding agreement focused on transboundary waters. Alaskans now seek a better understanding of how the state plans to ensure that enforceable measures are secured and financial liabilities are identified to protect the clean water, fisheries, jobs, cultures, and ways of life in transboundary watersheds. WHAT: Public hearing concerning transboundary mining issue WHEN: October 12, 2016 from 10 am - 4 pm (with a noon-12:30 pm lunch break) WHERE: Beltz Room 105 of the Thomas B. Stewart Legislative Office Building 206 4th St. Juneau, AK 99801 and on the phone: 844-586-9085 WHO: The Alaska House Fisheries Committee. Alaska leaders and decision makers, including state legislators, Lt. Governor Mallott, and representatives from the Alaska congressional delegation, will be present. Anyone concerned with threats posed by Canadian mining on Alaskan waterways is encouraged to attend and testify. The following individuals will be available for comment:
### 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 and Twitter. October 6, 2016
CONTACT: Heather Hardcastle, Campaign Director, Salmon Beyond Borders (907) 209-8486 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State of Alaska signs non-binding agreement with British Columbia on Canadian mining threats to Alaskan waters Alaskans seek enforceable protections and financial assurances, which are not included in document signed today. JUNEAU, AK – Today, the State of Alaska and British Columbia signed a Statement of Cooperation, a non-binding agreement focused on the protection of transboundary waters. Today’s measure leaves questions of how the state plans to secure enforceable protections and financial assurances for the losses incurred by upstream mining-related activity, including tailings dam failures in British Columbia. The statement from Salmon Beyond Borders is as follows: “It is our hope the State of Alaska will listen to and address Alaskans’ concerns during next week’s House Fisheries Committee transboundary hearing and explicitly outline how the state will work with the United States federal government to secure enforceable protections and financial compensation for impacts related to Canadian transboundary mining projects.” ### 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 and Twitter. September 21, 2016 CONTACT: Jill Weitz, Salmon Beyond Borders campaign manager, (907) 957-9504 or jweitz@tu.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thousands of Alaskans request State of Alaska to pursue federal action regarding threats to Southeast Alaska Rivers While state pursues Statement of Cooperation with British Columbia, Alaskans request a federal-level approach. JUNEAU, AK – Yesterday afternoon, a letter signed by over 6,000 Alaskans calling for an international agreement to protect some of Alaska’s greatest salmon rivers was delivered to Lieutenant Governor Mallott's office. The State of Alaska is currently working on a Statement of Cooperation on Protection of Transboundary Waters with British Columbia (B.C.) officials, but thousands in Alaska and beyond have stated this document alone is not good enough. “We are glad the state has focused much time and energy on this issue; however, we also hope the Walker administration acknowledges how this agreement with B.C. simply cannot adequately protect our rivers,” said Jill Weitz, campaign manager for Salmon Beyond Borders. “The thousands who rely on the Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers want to see enforceable protections and financial assurances, and these are not possible in a non-binding, unfunded Statement of Cooperation.” Just in the last month alone, more than 1,700 Southeast Alaskans specifically stated they’d like the State Administration to work with Senator Murkowski and the rest of the Alaska Congressional Delegation, who are pushing hard to compel federal-level action in the transboundary situation. In the letter, supporters argue that the U.S. Department of State has the authority under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to pursue protections for Southeast Alaska’s fish and clean water. “It’s clear that Canadian mining can have real impacts on Alaska’s rivers and that B.C. is not equipped to adequately regulate their mining industry. For that, public concern continues to grow,” said Weitz. “We urge the Walker Administration to join with the Alaska Congressional Delegation, Washington's U.S. Senate Delegation, and the thousands of Alaskans who maintain that the Statement of Cooperation is only a step toward ensuring Alaskans aren’t bearing burden of upstream mining and secure an international solution for this international problem." More than ten large-scale open-pit hard rock mines in various stages of development in British Columbia threaten the transboundary Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers, which originate in B.C. and flow into Southeast Alaska. These rivers collectively support Southeast Alaska’s traditional way of life and multi-billion-dollar fishing and tourism industries. “I was proud help deliver the comments of thousands of Alaskans who continue to push our leaders to address our concerns. The fact that over 6,000 Alaskans have come together asking for the same thing speaks volumes to the importance of this cause,” said Abe Tanha, owner of the private fishing business, Hooked on Juneau. ### 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 atsalmonbeyondborders.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter.  Jill Weitz of Salmon Beyond Borders (right) and Abe Tanha of Hooked on Juneau (middle) delivered the signatures of over 6,000 Alaskans to Lt. Governor Mallott's office Tuesdaycalling on the State of Alaska to work with the the U.S. State Department to secure enforceable protections for the rivers of Southeast Alaska. Barbara Blake, special advisor of the Lt. Governor (left) accepted the letters on behalf of the office.  September 9, 2016
CONTACT: Dale Kelley, Executive Director, Alaska Trollers Association, ata@gci.net, (907) 723-8765, Frederick Otilius Olsen Jr, Chair, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group and Vice President, Organized Village of Kasaan, fred@kasaan.org, (907) 617-9941 Rob Sanderson Jr., 1st Vice President, Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and Treasurer, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group, haida2009@gmail.com, (907) 821-8885 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alaska’s Republican Congressional Delegation again urges federal intervention in protection of Southeast Alaska Rivers Delegation expresses frustration and repeats previous U.S. State Department request to take action concerning British Columbia mining threats JUNEAU, AK – Yesterday, Alaska’s Republican U.S. Congressional Delegation wrote another strong letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reiterating the need for the U.S. federal government to ensure British Columbia (B.C.) mines near the headwaters of world-class rivers shared by the United States and Canada do not harm salmon and a way of life for Alaskans. In the letter to Secretary Kerry, Alaska Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Representative Young state: “When you visited Alaska last year, we were encouraged by your comment that ‘downstream impacts should not be taken lightly by any country, anywhere.’ But we remain troubled that nearly a year later, we have seen little action from the State on such an important issue to so many. […] We need the federal government to partner with Alaska to press Canada on policy answers.” The letter includes a meeting request with Secretary Kerry, and outlines specific asks of him. These requests include the appointment of a Special Representative for U.S.-Canada Transboundary issues, and the creation of an Interagency Working Group to address the concerns of Alaskans and to act on viable next steps and solutions embraced by Alaskans such as a referral of the international situation to the International Joint Commission. "We are encouraged and grateful for the Alaska Congressional Delegation's persistence in pursuing State Department action to protect the region from downstream impacts related to mining in transboundary watersheds," said Dale Kelley of Alaska Trollers Association. "Fishermen now call on Secretary Kerry to stand up for clean water, healthy fish and wildlife, and American jobs, by securing agreements with Canada to protect our waters and indemnify from loss those who could be harmed as a result of mining activity along the border." This is the fourth letter sent by Alaska’s Congressional Delegation to the State Department regarding this issue in the last two and a half years. Responses from the State Department, according to yesterday’s letter, have failed to adequately address original questions outlined in previous letters from the Delegation. Moreover, the most recent State Department response referred to the Statement of Cooperation between the State of Alaska and British Columbia, which the Delegation today argued, “is only one step in a process which must include federal leadership.” "We thank our Alaskan Delegation for following up on their previous letter to Secretary Kerry," said Frederick Olsen Jr., Chairman of the United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group. "Please, we need direct federal actions in this international issue. We don't need more research on whether the International Joint Commission is relevant to our area. It's been relevant since 1909. When someone possesses a tool tailor-made for a job, they should use it." More than ten large-scale open-pit hard rock mines in various stages of development in British Columbia threaten the transboundary Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers, which originate in B.C. and flow into Southeast Alaska. These rivers collectively support Southeast Alaska’s traditional way of life and multi-billion-dollar fishing and tourism industries. “There must be more direct consultation with Alaska Tribes and the federal governments. Our Alaska Delegation recognizes this and we are determined to work with them in moving this forward with them,” said Rob Sanderson Jr., 1st Vice President of Central Council Indian Tribes of Alaska, and Treasurer for the United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group that represents 15 federally recognized Tribes in Southeast Alaska. Nearly 20,000 letters requesting international involvement were delivered in April to Secretary Kerry signed by Americans supportive of strong protections for salmon and jobs of Southeast Alaska. The diversity of support on this matter, including Alaska Tribes, commercial fishermen, anglers and hunters, business owners, municipal leaders and outdoor enthusiasts demonstrate the strong and united desire for the U.S. to establish enforceable protections with Canada to protect the way of life, jobs and economies that depend on this globally significant and rugged transboundary region. ### 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 and Twitter. The United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group is a coalition of 15 federally recognized Southeastern Alaska Tribes formed in 2014 to address concerns about mining development in British Columbia, Canada. Groups say threats to Pacific salmon, steelhead, grizzly bears, and woodland caribou, undermine U.S. conservation treaties.For Immediate Release
Mon. June 27, 2016 Contacts: Kenta Tsuda | Earthjustice | 857-523-5153 | ktsuda@earthjustice.org Frederick Olsen, Jr. |United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group | 907-617-9941 | fred@kasaan.org Guy Archibald | Inside Passage Waterkeeper |907-209-2720 |guy@seacc.org Juneau, Alaska — A coalition of conservation and Alaska Native groups today formally invoked Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell’s duties under a federal law to investigate six hard-rock mines in British Columbia, and their expected impacts on transboundary watersheds shared by the United States and Canada. The petition asks Jewell to join with other federal agencies in calling for a referral of the controversy over these mines to the International Joint Commission, the governing body of the Boundary Waters Treaty between the two countries. The Taku, Stikine, and Unuk rivers flow across the Canada-United States border, from headwaters in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia through Southeast Alaska to the sea. These watersheds are rich with wildlife, and their salmon harvests sustain local fishing enterprises and Alaska Native and First Nations communities. Native peoples have harvested salmon and caribou from these watersheds for generations, and continue to rely on such harvests today. Commercial fishermen from Southeast Alaska also rely on these harvests, harvesting tens of millions of dollars’ worth of salmon from these three rivers annually. The watersheds collectively support hundreds of Alaskan workers and their families. The watersheds are now endangered by the development of metals mines in British Columbia, including the six subjects of the groups’ petition: the Tulsequah Chief, Red Chris, Schaft Creek, Galore Creek, Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell, and Brucejack mines. All involve large-scale infrastructure development and generate immense quantities of tailings and mine wastes. Water treatment will be required in perpetuity. The threats of acid-mine drainage and heavy metals pollution—not to mention catastrophic dam failures—will hang over the watersheds for centuries after the closure of the mines. The petition, submitted under the 1971 Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen’s Protective Act by Earthjustice’s Alaska regional office, analyzes the mine projects and their expected impacts on watersheds, and invokes the Interior Department’s duty to investigate when foreign nationals may be “diminishing the effectiveness” of U.S. conservation treaties. The petition presents evidence supporting a finding that the British Columbia mines diminish the effectiveness of two treaties that protect Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, grizzly bears, and woodland caribou, namely the Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean and the Convention on Nature Protection and Wild Life Preservation in the Western Hemisphere. The groups urge the Secretary to engage other federal agencies in calling for a referral of the issue of harms from the six mines to the International Joint Commission. This body addresses disputes arising from the Boundary Waters Treaty between the United States and Canada. The Treaty, signed in 1909, governs the use of waters shared by the United States and Canada, and provides that “waters flowing across the boundary shall not be polluted on either side to the injury of health or property on the other.” Where disputes arise as to the parties’ compliance with the Treaty, issues can be referred to the International Joint Commission for a recommended resolution. The petition echoes a call by a May 12, 2016 letter from Alaska’s congressional delegation, suggesting a referral of the issue to the International Joint Commission as a potential solution. The petition was made to Secretary Jewell by the Craig Tribal Association, Friends of the Stikine Society, Inside Passage Waterkeeper, Organized Village of Kasaan, Rivers Without Borders, Petersburg Indian Association, Salmon State, Sierra Club of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Trout Unlimited, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group, and Earthjustice. The following are statements from the groups: Kenta Tsuda, Associate Attorney, Earthjustice: “Canadian authorities are letting these projects go ahead, and the U.S. government is still waiting on the sidelines. This Petition provides yet another reason for the government to take action, and calls on Secretary Jewell to join in protecting the interests of citizens and tribes that the Federal Government represents on the international stage.” Clinton Cook, Sr., President, Craig Tribal Association: “As a Haida tribal leader I've been taught to cherish our traditional values, respect our elders, enhance our way of life as hunter–gatherers, and respect our natural resources. When these are threatened we feel threatened. Our goal is to protect these from selfish interests who only see commerce and not the harm it can cause to our land and our way of life.” Frederick Olsen, Jr., Chairman, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group: “The development and operation of the B.C. Mines could severely impact life on the U.S. side of the border. Already, the Tulsequah Chief Mine has polluted the Taku watershed for decades. We need federal involvement, but rather than ‘federal overreach,’ we currently experience ‘federal under-reach.’ The U.S. government has a fiduciary responsibility to federally recognized Tribes—we maintain a special government-to-government relationship. We call on the federal government, in this case Secretary Jewell, to formally get involved. We are all in this together.” Guy Archibald, Science Director, Inside Passage Water Keeper: “This action underscores the fact that existing treaties recognize that these watersheds and the fish and wildlife they support are internationally significant above and beyond any value to a particular state or province. The issue of large scale mining in is region requires international oversight.” |
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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. |
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