Public Event in Juneau Oct. 16 About How BC Mines Could Harm Southeast Alaska’s Fishing and Tourism Jobs

Please join us at Juneau’s Silverbow Restaurant on October 16, 2013, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to learn more about a mining frenzy in northern British Columbia that could threaten Alaska fisheries and tourism jobs.As many as 10 new large-scale mines are undergoing exploration in the mineral-rich region that borders Southeast Alaska. Five of these Canadian mineral projects are located in trans-boundary watersheds of key salmon rivers including the Stikine, the Taku, and the Unuk. These mines could produce water pollution that may harm Southeast Alaska fishing and tourism industries while offering few, if any, economic benefits to the region.

The project farthest along in the development process and one that could cause substantial environmental damage is Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell mine (KSM,) located in the headwaters of the Unuk River. The 80-mile-long Unuk produces one of Southeast Alaska’s largest king salmon runs and flows into Misty Fjords National Monument near Ketchikan, a popular attraction for many of the region’s one million annual visitors.

At the Silverbow event on Oct. 16, Rivers Without Borders  and Trout Unlimited will hold a informational meeting for the public specifically about the KSM project. We will give a short presentation followed by a Q&A session with the audience. The opportunity to submit public comments to Canadian regulators will also be available. The Canadian government’s environmental assessment process of KSM closes to public comment on Oct. 21 so it is critical that Alaskans raise their voices and express their concerns now!

Also at the event, Juneau photographer Chris Miller’s exhibit, “The Taku: A River Divided” will be on display. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

We hope to see you there!

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