11.19.18

Sullivan Encouraged by B.C. Govt’s Efforts to Finally Clean Up & Close Tulsequah Chief Mine

ANCHORAGE, AK – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement in response to news that the British Columbia (B.C.) government will begin taking steps to clean up and permanently close the Tulsequah Chief Mine, which is located 40 miles northeast of Juneau.

“I am encouraged to see the B.C. government taking a more active role in the long overdue clean-up of the Tulsequah Chief mine,” said Senator Sullivan. “The announcement that the government intends to move forward and develop a remediation plan is a step in the right direction. As voices on both sides of the border have been asking for years, it’s time for the B.C. government, the state of Alaska, Alaska Native and First Nations communities work together to remove this and other looming threats over our rivers, fisheries, and communities’ health and wellbeing.”

SEN. SULLIVAN’S WORK TO ADDRESS TRANSBOUNDARY MINING ISSUE:

  • In November 2017 the Alaska Delegation sent a letter to then-Secretary Rex Tillerson urging the State Department to prioritize transboundary watersheds, bringing this important issue to the Cabinet level. That letter has been followed by sustained efforts on behalf of the Delegations to engage with their Canadian counterparts and work towards accountability for mining projects that may affect transboundary watersheds. Specifically, the Alaska Delegation has repeatedly stressed the need for binding protections, joint water quality monitoring, and financial assurances to ensure mine operators in British Columbia will be held accountable for any impacts to transboundary water quality that might threaten Alaskan livelihoods or subsistence.
  • In February 2018, Senator Sullivan and former Lt. Governor Mallott traveled to Ottawa, Canada, to meet with senior officials in the Canadian government to discuss the transboundary mining issues impacting Southeast Alaska.
  • In August 2018, Senator Sullivan and former Lt. Governor Mallott followed up with a letter to the Minister of Environment Catherine McKenna and Minister of International Trade James Carr, thanking the Canadians for their attention to transboundary mining issues, while continuing to stress several key areas of concern that require attention.
  • In October 2018, the Alaska Congressional Delegation and Governor Bill Walker joined together to urge the Secretary of State to discuss the risks posed by transboundary mining activity during upcoming bilateral meetings between the United States and Canada. In the letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, they expressed Alaska’s priorities for strong and continued engagement between the State Department and the Canadian Government on the management of mining activity affecting Alaska and British Columbia’s transboundary waters.

 

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