Public action urged to protect critical Alaska salmon river

摘要

Acitizen task force formed by several Alaskan Legislature members is raising concerns about a B.C. mine's potential effect on a critical U.S. salmon fishery. Owners of the Tulsequah Chief mine site are seeking road access and Canadian permits to resume operation of the mine, which closed in 1957 but has since leaked toxic runoff into its namesake river. Alaskan sport and commercial fishermen, processors, and others fear the company's proposed barging operations in advance of building a 100-mile inland access road to the site will harm the fishery. The legislative Taku Task Force's findings have enforced those fears and raised additional concerns about the mine itself. Issues include sediment runoff and toxic spills from the access road, pollution from the mine and its tailings dump, habitat damage from river barging, and a lack of Alaskan agency oversight.