I support HJR 9 - Canadian Mines on Transboundary Rivers
Dear Members of the House Fisheries Committee, Please add my support for HJR 9 - Canadian Mines on Transboundary Rivers- calling for federal oversight for transboundary mines, which threaten our rivers, salmon, fishing, and tourism businesses. British Columbia says that these mines can be developed responsibly, but reports by the Office of the Auditor General in British Columbia in 2011 and 2016 found that is not the case. The recent Mt. Polley disaster and the continuing illegal discharge of acid mine drainage from the Tulsequah Chief Mine are evidence that BC is either incapable or unwilling to take the steps necessary to protect our interests. Federal involvement is necessary to create enforceable standards requiring that these mines protect our rivers. BC states that federal involvement is unnecessary, because these exploratory projects may never achieve fruition. BC is literally betting the bank that they do go into production by doing everything possible to see that these mines are developed. A news release last month by the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines outlines the “Government actions to renew B.C. as a leader in mining.” These actions include: • Extending tax credits to B.C. mines. • Counting community engagement as a deductible expense under the Exploration Tax Credit Program. • Streamlining the Major Mines Permitting Office to improve the coordination of major mine permits across government. • Providing Geoscience BC with $10 million in funding over two years to support further its work in encouraging mineral, coal, and oil and gas exploration investment in the province. This is in addition to the more than $60 million government has provided them since 2005. It is clear that it is full steam ahead for developing the transboundary mines. While the Memo of Understanding and Cooperation is a good start, Alaskans need more than unenforceable agreements. Federal resources and expertise must be used to protect our jobs and way of life. Thank you, Rep. Ortiz, Rep. Stutes and the rest of the House Fisheries Committee for your hard work.
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