Mining Threatens Salmon Rivers in BC-Alaska

On November twelfth, we delve into the pressing matter of transboundary rivers shared between British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, focusing on the escalating concerns over mining impacts. These vital rivers, like the Stikine, are crucial for local ecosystems and communities, particularly for salmon. Indigenous tribes and Alaskan residents are advocating for robust protections to safeguard against pollution from upstream mining operations.These expansive, braided rivers, including the Taku, Stikine, Unuk, and Salmon Rivers, are among the last pristine salmon rivers worldwide. They flow from British Columbia into the Tongass National Forest. Indigenous nations, such as the Tlingit and Tahltan, have long cared for these vast, glaciated river valleys, an area equivalent to Portugal.As glaciers melt, scientists anticipate the emergence of thousands of miles of new cold, clear water, potentially benefiting salmon habitat. However, this potential advantage is jeopardized by mining companies in British Columbia, which are rapidly expanding operations. These companies are rebranding the region as The Golden Triangle and are collaborating with the Canadian government to industrialize these shared river valleys.There are currently over one hundred Canadian gold mine projects in this region, many with massive earthen mine waste dams, being explored or operated. This mining boom is being expedited by the Canadian government without the full consent of all communities connected to these lands. The primary beneficiaries, as one CEO admitted, are the investors, not necessarily the local people or the environment.The unique scents of these sweet waters guide salmon back to their birth streams to lay eggs. Newly hatched salmon imprint these scents before migrating to sea, and years later, this memory, along with the earths magnetic field, helps them navigate thousands of miles back home. However, this intricate process is threatened by potential permanent mine contamination, such as acid rock drainage, which could disrupt the salmons ability to return. DNN | The Daily News Now! The world’s first global local news network. Every city. Every story. AI powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.