The Wrangell Borough Assembly recently passed a resolution calling for a pause in mine development in the British Columbia/Alaska transboundary region until a binding international agreement on watershed protections is developed that would ensure upstream mining operations in British Columbia do not harm fisheries or water quality in the Taku, Unuk and Stikine rivers.
But there is one mining-related activity that B.C. should be aggressively pursuing — shutting down and cleaning up the abandoned Tulsequah Chief mine in the Taku watershed.
The B.C. government has made some progress toward ending the threat of the Tulsequah Chief, which has been leaching acid mine drainage and toxic heavy metals since 1957. In August 2020, the province issued a draft mine remediation plan and began taking some steps to assume responsibility for the cleanup and closure.
But the plan still isn’t final and it’s unknown how cleanup, closure and long-term monitoring will be funded.
Taku salmon are an important Southeast Alaska resource. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has recommended that the Taku chinook be listed as a salmon stock of concern. Changing ocean conditions driven by climate change seem to be the main cause. This makes it all the more important for us to protect water quality and salmon habitat in the freshwater.
Alaskans must remain vigilant and ensure B.C. follows through on its responsibilities and commitments to stop the Tulsequah Chief’s acid mine drainage and fully close down the site. We need to keep the pressure up and ensure that the province adopts the best standards for cleanup and closure, provides clear timelines, obtains funding and provides Alaskans a seat at the table.
The Tulsequah Chief working group established by British Columbia has given the Alaska Department of Natural Resources what is probably best described as observer status, but there is no participation by Alaska tribes, fishermen or local communities. That is not acceptable.
The Tulsequah Chief has been a source of controversy and international opposition for more than two decades. B.C. has taken some encouraging steps toward ending this, but we’re not close to done. It took many years of work and concern from tribes, fishermen, local, state and federal governments, and others, to put B.C. on the path to shutting down the Tulsequah Chief. We need to keep this up to hold the provincial government accountable.
Chris Zimmer, of Juneau
Alaska Campaign director
Rivers Without Borders
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