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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.
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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.” Delegation in Ottawa ahead of “Three Amigos” meeting to call for federal engagementJune 17, 2016
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 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 ### 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. May 12, 2016
CONTACT: Heather Hardcastle, Campaign Director, Salmon Beyond Borders, heather@salmonstate.org, (907) 209-8486 Rob Sanderson, Jr., 1st Vice President, Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, haida2009@gmail.com, (907) 821-8885 Frederick Otilius Olsen, Jr., Vice President, Organized Village of Kasaan and Chair, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group, fred@kasaan.org, (907) 617-9941 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alaska’s Republican Congressional Delegation Urges U.S. State Department Protections for Southeast Alaska Rivers Delegation pressures Secretary Kerry to review British Columbia mining threats to rivers that flow into Alaska JUNEAU, AK – Today, Alaska’s congressional delegation wrote to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urging greater federal engagement in the review of British Columbia (B.C.) mines near the headwaters of world-class rivers shared by the U.S. and Canada, mines that threaten salmon and a way of life for Alaskans. 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. In the letter to Secretary Kerry, Alaska Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, and Representative Young request that Secretary Kerry “utilize all measures at your disposal to address this issue at the international level.” “This powerful statement underscores that Alaskans, regardless of political party, want Secretary Kerry to address B.C. mining with Canadian officials so that clean water and healthy salmon runs will support our economy for generations to come,” said Heather Hardcastle, campaign director for Salmon Beyond Borders. “The danger we’re facing here in Alaska is real and was reconfirmed by the recent B.C. Auditor General’s warning. We urge Secretary Kerry to stand up for American jobs and seek International Joint Commission (IJC) involvement in this matter so Americans have a say in the protection of our resources shared by the U.S. and Canada.” The congressional delegation letter comes following bilateral meetings last month between the U.S. and Canada, and a recent scathing report about provincial mining compliance and enforcement from the B.C. Auditor General. Nearly 20,000 letters requesting IJC involvement were delivered 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 jobs and economies that depend on this rugged transboundary region. "Recognition and action on this issue by the Alaska congressional delegation helps,” said Frederick Olsen, Jr., vice president of the Organized Village of Kasaan and chair of the United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group. “Secretary Kerry has a lot on his plate. He has ‘big fish to fry’ in our crazy world but we need him to look over at us. We want to prevent fish from frying in our waters due to B.C.’s mine waste. Our vital waters and ecosystems that nurture our unique traditional and customary way of life demand protection. We must work together with a long-term approach, starting with at least an IJC review.” “It’s good to see that our elected leaders identify this as a real problem, as it is definitely an international issue,” said Rob Sanderson Jr., 1st vice president of Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Today’s letter from the Alaska delegation comes on the heels of a letter from Washington Senators Cantwell and Murray to Secretary Kerry. Residents of Washington have been major supporters in establishing international protections for Alaskan waterways as, “the Alaska seafood industry supported 23,900 jobs and generated $1.34 billion in labor income in the Puget Sound region in 2013” according to the letter sent to the U.S. Department of State by Senators Cantwell and Murray. ### 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 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. CONTACT:
Heather Hardcastle, Campaign Director, Salmon Beyond Borders, heather@salmonstate.org, (907) 209-8486 Jill Weitz, Campaign Manager, Salmon Beyond Borders, jweitz@tu.org, (907) 957-9504 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE British Columbia Auditor General Issues Scathing Condemnation of Province’s Inability to Protect the Public from Mining Impacts Audit Validates Concerns About B.C. Mines, Alaskans Demand Enforceable Protections and Financial Guarantees (JUNEAU) The Auditor General of British Columbia issued on May 3, 2016 a strongly worded audit concluding that the British Columbia (B.C.) government’s “compliance and enforcement activities of the mining sector are inadequate to protect the province from significant environmental risks.” This audit validates Alaskans’ concerns about B.C.’s mining regulatory processes and lack of financial assurances that could have direct impacts on Alaska’s downstream billion-dollar industries and way of life. Alaskans continue to demand immediate action under the Boundary Waters Treaty and the review of large-scale B.C. developments in the Taku, Stikine, and Unuk watersheds straddling the U.S./Canada border. A review by the International Joint Commission (IJC) should proceed prior to the State of Alaska finalizing any agreement on transboundary waters with the Province of B.C. This audit confirms Alaskans’ view that B.C. is systemically unable and unwilling to address the risks mining poses to downstream renewable resources. The ongoing pollution at the Tulsequah Chief mine in the Taku watershed, the opening of Imperial Metals’ Red Chris mine in the Stikine watershed months after their Mount Polley mine disaster, and the approval of North America’s largest open-pit mine, Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell (KSM) in the Unuk watershed, 19 miles upstream from the border, are more than enough justification for Alaskans to demand immediate federal action. The press release from the Auditor General and the full report can be found at: http://www.bcauditor.com/pubs/2016/audit-compliance-and-enforcement-mining-sector 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 sustain our transboundary rivers, jobs and way of life. -###- January 26, 2016
CONTACT: Mark Jensen, Mayor, Petersburg Borough, mayorjensen@petersburgak.gov, (907) 518-0009 Cynthia Wallesz, Executive Director, United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters, usag.alaska@gmail.com, (208) 995-7400 Heather Hardcastle, Campaign Director, Salmon Beyond Borders, salmongal@mac.com, (907) 209-8486 Frederick Otilius Olsen, Jr., Vice President, Organized Village of Kasaan and Chair, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group, fred@kasaan.org, (907) 617-9941 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alaskans continue to demand international solution for B.C. mines that threaten Southeast Alaska Rivers Alaska takes first step with transboundary cooperation agreement with B.C.; International Joint Commission involvement and public review still needed JUNEAU, AK – Southeast Alaska leaders called the State of Alaska’s latest draft Statement of Cooperation (SOC) with British Columbia (B.C.) “an important first step,” intended to increase Alaska’s involvement in upstream B.C. mine review processes. The new version of the SOC specifically states that the document itself is not intended to substitute for involvement of the International Joint Commission (IJC). “We are encouraged to see the Walker administration has improved on the first draft of the SOC, particularly their recognition the SOC is limited in its ability to protect our waters and fisheries here in Alaska and in no way rejects federal government involvement through the Boundary Waters Treaty and the IJC. Leaving open the IJC option is the recognition we’ve been seeking,” said Petersburg mayor Mark Jensen. “Federal involvement through the Boundary Waters Treaty is the only way to provide for binding and enforceable regulations and financial assurances that B.C.’s industrial development in the watersheds of the transboundary rivers will not harm Alaska’s clean water and healthy fisheries that are the economic lifeblood of Petersburg and all of Southeast Alaska. We are definitely not an anti-mining community and recognize the need for a viable mining industry but, as with any resource development industry, it needs to be done correctly and safely.” Alaska tribal citizens and stakeholders continue to call on the U.S. Department of State to take action under the Boundary Waters Treaty to safeguard Alaska fisheries and way of life downstream from large-scale Canadian mining development, and call for a public review process before Alaska and B.C. finalize the SOC. “As a lifelong fisherman, I appreciate the State of Alaska working to ensure the clean water and healthy wild salmon runs of the Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers are protected. However, with Alaska bearing all the risk and none of the reward from this development, there is still much work to be done at the federal level in both countries to ensure the protections we need are secured and enforceable,” said Heather Hardcastle, campaign director of Salmon Beyond Borders. “We are hopeful Alaska's congressional delegation will help Alaskans by ensuring the federal governments become involved. This dual-track approach is the best way to ensure our downstream interests are protected.” The first draft of the SOC was made public in mid-November. About a dozen comments were submitted, including a letter written by the Salmon Beyond Borders campaign signed by over 100 organizations, businesses and individuals. A revised draft was distributed by the State on January 21. The document now addresses the risks of large tailings dams and recognizes the need for transparency. However, the SOC still needs significant improvement in areas such as financial assurances, best practices and public participation. “The new draft SOC is certainly better and we appreciate being asked to comment but it needs to provide financial assurances to Alaskans that we will be compensated for any damage to our water quality and fisheries,” said Cynthia Wallesz, executive director of United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters. “In the spirit of a transparent public process, we urge the Walker Administration to hold a formal comment period, including public hearings, so the final SOC language can be publicly vetted.” Ten or more large-scale mines are in various stages of review, development or operation in Northwest B.C. in or near the headwaters of the Taku, Stikine and Unuk Rivers. The Walker Administration’s engagement with B.C. comes in response to concerns raised by Southeast Alaskans across the social and political spectrum about the potential threats these mines pose to Alaska’s clean water and existing billion-dollar fisheries. This issue, so important to Southeast Alaskans, is starting to receive attention across the country, including recent coverage in theThe New York Times. "We thank Alaska's Governor for listening to the public. The edited SOC recognizes the scope of State and Provincial agreements is limited and we still need the International Joint Commission,” said Frederick Olsen, Jr., Vice President of the Organized Village of Kasaan and Chair of the United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group. “We need cooperation with the Federal governments and sovereign Tribal governments. Our international issue requires an international solution.” ### 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 atsalmonbeyondborders.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter.  December 10, 2015
CONTACT: Heather Hardcastle, (907) 209-8486 – Director, Salmon Beyond Borders Frederick Otilius Olsen Jr., (907) 617-9941 – Vice President, Organized Village of Kasaan and Chair, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group Cynthia Wallesz, (208) 995-7400 – Executive Director, United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Chris Zimmer, (907) 586-2166 – Alaska Campaign Director, Rivers Without Borders FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southeast Alaska leaders deliver letter to State of Alaska urging U.S. State Department engagement on transboundary mining issue JUNEAU, AK – Southeast Alaska leaders yesterday delivered a letter to Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Mallott urging them to join municipalities, Tribes, fishermen, the Alaska congressional delegation and thousands of Alaskans in asking the U.S. Department of State and the Canadian federal government to work together on stronger international safeguards for water quality, fisheries and communities in shared watersheds. The letter specifically recommends the State of Alaska seek such help before finalizing non-binding negotiations with the Province of British Columbia (B.C.). The letter delivered yesterday was signed by nearly 100 entities across Southeast Alaska and beyond, ranging from municipalities, Tribal citizens, commercial and sport fishermen, seafood processors, and sport fishing and tourism companies. The letter urges the Alaska governor to: “…wait to transmit or sign this Statement of Cooperation until Secretary Kerry has communicated to Canada’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs a request for action under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Of course, your help in securing that request is key to its success. An International Joint Commission reference for the transboundary region would engage the U.S. State Department, elevate the issue to the federal level in both countries, and provide opportunities to secure much needed federal resources.” “The large-scale British Columbia mining projects within the transboundary Taku, Stikine and Unuk river systems threaten Southeast Alaska’s booming fishing economy, pure watersheds, and the way of life for Southeast Alaskans,” said Cynthia Wallesz, Executive Director of United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters. “We are deeply concerned that Alaska bears too much risk from these mines and there are no binding financial guarantees to insure we will be compensated in a pollution event.” An international border runs through these critical watersheds and the presence of First Nations and Tribes requires that multiple sovereign nations be consulted. Thus, local agreements such as the recently renewed Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation (MOU) between Alaska and British Columbia signed by Governor Walker and Premier Clark on November 25th, and the associated, not-yet-finalized draft Statement of Cooperation on Protection of Transboundary Waters (SOC), are inadequate to comprehensively address this transboundary issue. “The MOU process simply cannot provide Alaska the protections it needs from risks associated with large-scale mining upstream in B.C.,” said Heather Hardcastle, director of Salmon Beyond Borders. “Finalizing negotiations under this MOU prior to obtaining U.S. federal involvement in this matter will likely preclude the meaningful federal engagement that is essential to protect these resources.” In addition to yesterday’s letter, thousands of Alaskans have requested the State of Alaska, Alaska’s congressional delegation and the U.S. State Department secure enforceable protections for the Taku, Stikine and Unuk watersheds through action under the Boundary Waters Treaty and with the involvement of the International Joint Commission (IJC). “It’s great to see so many communities, entities, and individuals joining with Alaska Tribes to help protect our ancestral lands and waters in the Southeast Alaska/Northwest B.C transboundary region,” said Frederick Olsen Jr., of the Organized Village of Kasaan and United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group. “As co-signers to this letter, we’re hopeful the State of Alaska will join us in requesting that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry refer the issue to the IJC before the Statement of Cooperation with B.C. is completed." Signers to the letter delivered yesterday are groups advocating for the application of the Boundary Waters Treaty, which has productively guided U.S.-Canada cooperation and allowed the IJC to provide solutions to transboundary water issues for over 100 years. “The Boundary Waters Treaty and its associated IJC is the best way for Alaska to address the threats to its water and salmon from mining in B.C. Alaska should use the most powerful tool in the toolbox instead of a weak MOU process,” said Chris Zimmer of Rivers Without Borders. “What’s more, it is essential that financial guarantees are developed that ensure Alaska is compensated for harm caused by pollution from upstream B.C. mines, and this requires international involvement and oversight.” Yesterday’s letter highlights the significance of this opportunity to engage both the U.S. and Canadian federal governments. The nearly unanimous support for action under the Boundary Waters Treaty among Alaskans, coupled with the new Canadian national leadership, provides the best prospect yet for real policy change in the transboundary region. Now is the time for the State of Alaska to seize this opportunity and partner with the U.S. and Canadian federal governments to protect and sustain the economies and way of life of those in the transboundary region for generations to come. ### Salmon Beyond Borders is a campaign driven by sport and commercial fishermen, community leaders, Tribal and First Nations members, tourism and recreation business owners, conservation organizations and concerned citizens united across the Alaska/British Columbia border to defend our transboundary salmon rivers from some of the largest proposed mines the world has ever seen. Visit us online at salmonbeyondborders.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter. November 25, 2015
Contact: Heather Hardcastle, 907.209.8486 – Director, Salmon Beyond Borders Frederick Otilius Olsen Jr. 907.617.9941 -Vice President, Organized Village of Kasaan, and Chair, United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group Dale Kelley 907.723.8765, Executive Director, Alaska Trollers Association Chris Zimmer 907.586.2166, Alaska Campaign Director, Rivers Without Borders FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Statement from Salmon Beyond Borders in Response to Today’s Signing of an MOU with British Columbia by Governor Walker JUNEAU, AK – Today, Salmon Beyond Borders expressed disappointment and dismay at Governor Walker’s announcement that he has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with B.C. Premier Christy Clark mere days after his administration asked members of his newly-formed Transboundary Rivers Citizens Advisory Work Group to provide comment on a Draft Statement of Cooperation associated with Transboundary mining. “It’s hard not to be feel blindsided by this news,” says Salmon Beyond Borders Director, Heather Hardcastle. “Tribes, municipal leaders, fishing groups and Alaskans across the political spectrum are right now working to respond and provide feedback to the State of Alaska on this very topic and we were given no warning by the administration that an MOU would be signed in advance." “What is the point in having a comment period if the administration takes action before we’ve had the opportunity to comment? Outrageous!” said Frederick Olsen Jr., of the Organized Village of Kasaan and United Tribal Transboundary Mining Work Group. “Governor Walker’s action today underscores our need for U.S. government involvement; we need them to live up to their responsibility to Alaska Tribes which the State of Alaska refuses to recognize." “Unfortunately this action by the State makes it clearer than ever that Alaskan’s concerns about impacts from an upstream mining district in B.C. must be addressed by our Federal governments. The Boundary Waters Treaty and International Joint Commission possess the necessary authorities to protect the waters, fisheries and communities of Southeast Alaska,” said Chris Zimmer of Rivers Without Borders. “We are very disappointed that the Governor is apparently ignoring the near consensus here in Southeast Alaska in support of federal involvement and an IJC.” “Regardless of any agreement they strike with the province of British Columbia, it remains our hope that the state will also work to secure legally binding agreements between the U.S. and Canada for the protection of our rivers. Neither the state or the residents of this region can bear the risk and expense of a catastrophic mining accident," said Dale Kelley, Executive Director of the Alaska Trollers Association. ### Salmon Beyond Borders is a growing community of 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 defend our transboundary salmon rivers from some of the largest proposed mines the world has ever seen. Visit us online at salmonbeyondborders.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter. |
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