The B.C. and Alaska governments signed a co-operation agreement Wednesday over mines that could affect trans-boundary rivers, and includes a promise to develop a joint water-quality monitoring program.
The agreement comes as pressure to address environmental concerns from Alaskan fishing, environmental, First Nation and community groups increased after the failure of Imperial Metal’s Mount Polley mining waste dam last year.
The groups are concerned that proposed mines on the B.C. side of the border, such as the $5.4-billion KSM gold-copper-silver mine and the existing Red Chris mine, could leach potentially toxic metals into watersheds that would harm salmon — the economic and cultural backbone of many Alaskan communities.
Gordon Hoekstra – Vancouver Sun – November 25, 2015.
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