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.

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.
 
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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. Visit us online at salmonbeyondborders.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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:

• Ephraim Froehlich, Senator Murkowski’s Office, Fisheries Advisor
• Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott, State of Alaska
• Dale Kelley, Alaska Trollers Association, Executive Director
• Dr. David Chambers, Center for Science in Public Participation, Geophysicist
• Dr. Daniel Schindler, University of Washington, Professor of Fisheries Aquatic Sciences
• Kirsten Shelton, McDowell Group, Project Manager
• Bev Sellars, B.C. First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining, Chair
• Jacinda Mack, B.C. First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining, Coordinator
• Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska House Fisheries Committee, Chair, House District 32
• Representative Dan Ortiz, Alaska House Fisheries Committee, House District 36
• Heather Hardcastle, Salmon Beyond Borders, Campaign Director
• Jill Weitz, Salmon Beyond Borders, Campaign Manager
• 
  

 FOR MORE INFORMATION: See official meeting notice from House Fisheries Committee here.

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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. 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.”

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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. 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.  
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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. Visit us online atsalmonbeyondborders.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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.  

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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. 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.

June 17, 2016
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CONTACT:
Heather Hardcastle, Campaign Director, Salmon Beyond Borders, Juneau, Alaska, (907) 209-8486, heather@salmonstate.org
Frederick Otilius Olsen Jr., Chair, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group, Kasaan, Alaska, (907) 617-9941, fred@kasaan.org
Shane Gottfriedson, Regional Chief, B.C. Assembly of First Nations, Vancouver, B.C., (250) 852-1143, regionalchief@bcafn.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Ottawa)  The immense downstream threat to crucial salmon fisheries and Alaskans’ way of life from a combination of mining in the headwaters of key Northwest B.C. watersheds and weak B.C. environmental regulations has brought Alaskan Tribes, commercial fishing groups and conservation organizations to Ottawa seeking help. 

Alaskans met this week with Canadian Members of Parliament and ministry officials to elevate the issue of B.C.’s transboundary mining projects in the headwaters of rivers that flow into Southeast Alaska and its multi-billion-dollar fishing and tourism industries. Alaskans also press for use of the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to address the many serious concerns related to the mines. Alaska, as the downstream neighbor, assumes virtually all of the risks associated with the mines.

“We wanted to get our request on the radar before Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama meet here in Ottawa later this month as part of a North American summit. It is increasingly clear that it will take our two countries working together to decide how to manage our globally significant shared resources of this iconic region,” said Heather Hardcastle of the Salmon Beyond Borders campaign.

Hardcastle added: “At least ten B.C. large-scale open-pit and underground metal mines are in some phase of proposal, permitting or operation near the headwaters of Northwest B.C./Southeast Alaska transboundary salmon rivers, namely the Taku, Stikine and Unuk.”

Frederick Otilius Olsen Jr., Chairman of the United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group that currently represents 15 federally recognized Tribes in Southeast Alaska, stated, “We have been trying for years to get the B.C. government to adequately address our interests and concerns, but other than nice words and vague promises, we seem to be getting nowhere. Facts, reports, and studies keep emerging – the latest from B.C.’s own Auditor General - that indicate the situation is even worse than we had feared. We need federal help and an international solution for this international problem.”

Many First Nations members in B.C. share Alaskan concerns. Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations has been actively engaged in this issue, stating “We stand firm with our Alaskan brothers and sisters, and share their concerns and demands for direct consultation with our federal governments. Long-term protections of our traditional way of life and stewardship of our land and water are essential.”

“For more than 150 years First Nations have had no say, and have paid the price for irresponsible mining in the province of B.C. The situation in the Northwest is as big a threat as we have ever faced given the current mining laws and environmental monitoring and enforcement – or lack of it,” said Jacinda Mack, coordinator for B.C.’s First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining and liaison with Alaska groups.

Neither the Alaskans nor the B.C. First Nations are against all mining, but insist it must be done properly, and not at the expense of the environment and all other sectors and livelihoods.

Alaska's entire Congressional Delegation and the Washington State U.S. Senate Delegation support the use of all international tools to address the situation in the shared watersheds of Northwest B.C. and Southeast Alaska. Salmon Beyond Borders and the United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group advocate that a review by the International Joint Commission, created by the Boundary Waters Treaty, should focus on the following in the Taku, Stikine and Unuk transboundary watersheds:

• The potential cumulative impacts of multiple mines on water quality and water quantity 
• The design, implementation and funding of a monitoring network in perpetuity
• The design of a financial-guarantee mechanism to insure downstream interests are protected and fully compensated in a pollution event 
• Seats at the table for indigenous people on both sides of the border

 “When one or more of these mines fail, we will have lost a way of life that can never be replaced,” concluded Frederick Otilius Olsen Jr.

The Alaskan delegation will wrap up its Ottawa visit today with a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman.

For more information on this issue, including maps and photographs, please visit: 
www.salmonbeyondborders.org
www.uttmwg.org
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Salmon Beyond Borders is a campaign driven by sport and commercial fishermen, community leaders, Tribal and First Nations members, tourism and recreation business owners and concerned citizens united across the Alaska/British Columbia border to sustain our transboundary salmon 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. ​