Transboundary Water Analysis Halted, Despite Concerns Among Local Tribes and Fishermen

 

Written by: Emma L.

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2021/03/02/southeast-tribes-and-fishermen-angry-over-halt-to-alaska-canada-water-analysis/

            Beginning in 2019, the USGS Alaska Science Center started collecting water quality, sediment, and biological sampling on the Alsek, Taku, Stikine, Unuk, and Salmon Rivers, which begin in Canada and flow into southeast Alaska. They also started collecting samples annually at the Canada-Alaska border crossings of the Taku, Stikine, and the Unuk Rivers. The purpose of this sampling and research is to study the effects mining in Canada has on the water quality downstream in Alaska. All of these rivers support customary, traditional, recreational, and commercial salmon fisheries, which contribute to about $1 billion annually. These transboundary watersheds are within the traditional lands of several Alaska Native tribes as well as the First Nations people, and salmon have been an integral part of their cultures and the livelihoods of their communities throughout this region for thousands of years.

            Now, Alaskan residents are at risk of water pollution, as Alaska officials and authorities in British Columbia announced they have finished and discontinued their data collection on transboundary watersheds. This is despite of concerns from fishing and tribal interests that the efforts don’t go far enough. Their final report culminated only 2 years of data collected from water, sediment, and fish, and showed that the waters met quality standards on Alaska’s side of the border. There are many naturally occurring minerals found in the water in the region, however the report said there were times when the heavy metal content was way over the limit. The state of Alaska and British Columbia released a joint statement saying “given the existence of other sampling programs planned by state, federal, or provincial agencies throughout the transboundary region, there is no need to continue the joint program”.

            Local tribes, fishermen, and scientists argue, however, that the governments have not done enough to ensure adequate water quality. The United Fishermen of Alaska, an organization that represents commercial fishing interests, says the state is not taking its responsibility seriously enough. The Taku and Stikine Rivers are significant salmon-producing rivers and provide an important food source for southeast Alaskan residents. The impacts mining can have on water is significant: acid mine drainage, metal contamination, and increased sediment levels, just to name a few. This can cause severe illness (and even death) in people if the water or salmon is ingested. United Fishermen Executive Director Frances Leach stated “We made every attempt possible to engage the state of Alaska on this issue, and the fact that they arrived at these premature conclusions is a disservice to Alaskans and the fishing communities of Southeast Alaska. We need our federal delegation to elevate this issue to the highest levels”. Some scientists who study the watersheds have claimed that several years of studies is not enough to properly measure the quality of the water. Chris Sergeant, freshwater ecologist at the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station, states that “you can’t measure a given site once or twice a year for 2 years and claim that you know the baseline watershed health of that area”.

            Senators from Alaska, Montana, Washington, and Idaho also want to see more oversight and accountability for transboundary water quality from British Columbia. Eight senators from these states sent a letter to British Columbia Premier John Horgan urging “closer monitoring of transboundary water quality and how mining practices can negatively impact downstream U.S. residents”. The letter also called for British Columbia to adopt standards of oversight and accountability similar to that which is required in the U.S. The senators wrote that “Congress has also directed the U.S. Geological Survey to enter into a formal partnership with local Tribes and other agencies to develop a long-term water quality strategy to address contamination risks in transboundary rivers shared by British Columbia and Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montana”.

            Although action has been taken to urge Alaska and Canada to continue sampling and research, this is an ongoing issue. Research is still halted, and the water is still at risk of contamination. Heather Hardcastle, campaign adviser for Salmon Beyond Borders, states that “We not only have pollution in Montana and Idaho from British Columbia mines, yet they’re continuing to approve expanded mines in the regions that affects Montana, Idaho, and they’re approving all these gold and copper mines near the headwaters that affect Washington and Alaska”.

 

Sources: 

Hohenstatt, Ben. “8 Senators Send Letter Urging More Transboundary Water Quality Oversight from British Columbia.” Juneau Empire, Juneau Empire, 14 June 2019, www.juneauempire.com/news/8-senators-send-letter-urging-more-transboundary-water-quality-oversight-from-british-columbia/.

Pollution Issues, www.pollutionissues.com/Li-Na/Mining.html#:~:text=Water%2Dpollution%20problems%20caused%20by,haulage%20roads%2C%20or%20tailings%20ponds.

Press, The Associated. “Tribes, Fishermen Slam Halt to Alaska-Canada Water Analysis.” Indian Country Today, Indian Country Today, 5 Mar. 2021, indiancountrytoday.com/news/tribes-fishermen-slam-halt-to-alaska-canada-water-analysis.

USGS Transboundary River Monitoring in Southeast Alaska, www.usgs.gov/centers/asc/science/usgs-transboundary-river-monitoring-southeast-alaska?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.