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Canadian Feds issue draft mine approval after backroom dealing
webmaster : Jan 6.2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2005
Alaskan Salmon Impacts Ignored
Canada’s federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) yesterday released a draft report recommending approval of the Tulsequah Chief mine and road project. Ignoring extensive information to the contrary, including data from Canadian departments, DFO concludes that construction of a 100 mile road into the watershed and operation of an acid-generating mine on the bank of the salmon-rich Tulsequah River “is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.” A 45 day public comment period will run through February 18.
“Canada has decided to ignore local, state and federal concerns about damages to fisheries and water quality by recommending approval. Apparently significant environmental effects impacting the people of Juneau don’t show up on their radar,” said Chris Zimmer of the Transboundary Watershed Alliance. “They also continue to show their contempt for Alaskans by refusing to come to Juneau to publicly explain this politically motivated recommendation.”
There was little new scientific information or analysis in the draft screening report. In contrast to the US process, important details regarding the tailings pond, road, discharge pond and other issues will be dealt with in a permitting process after Redfern receives its DFO approval. The recommended approval is largely based on the decision by DFO officials to ignore their own Minister’s conclusion in 2004 that “DFO understands that its Fisheries Act and CEAA reviews would be best served by considering potential environmental effects of extended use of the road after mine site closure.” Instead, DFO officials assume the road will be decommissioned, even though the Project Approval Certificate issued by British Columbia in 2002 leaves the door open for the road to exist in perpetuity.
“DFO clearly rolled over after political pressure from Redfern and BC. DFO officials even cut a backroom deal with Redfern officials to speed the approval process at the same time DFO was refusing requests for their officials to come and meet face-to-face with the Mayor and citizens of Juneau,” said Zimmer.
Documents obtained under the Canadian Access to Information request show that top DFO officials held secret meetings with the President of Redfern, a top BC official and a lobbyist on May 31, 2004. Immediately after the meeting, a top official from DFO sent instructions to his staff to accelerate the environmental assessment of the controversial Tulsequah Chief mine with Chandler and the lobbyist receiving assurances that subsequent Fisheries Act authorizations would be granted “immediately thereafter.”
“It’s clear that when Alaskan interests came up against Redfern’s interests, DFO sided 100% with the mining company,” said Zimmer. “They have completely forgotten their legislated duty to protect fisheries, and instead cut a backroom deal to protect Redfern, a mining company, from the threat wild salmon pose to their bottom line.”
CONTACT: Chris Zimmer, Transboundary Watershed Alliance, 907/586-4905
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