As I look east from Southeast Alaska, I see a picturesque, untouched landscape of mountains – Canada. A British Columbia development map shows a shocking number of mining developments just beyond view. The watersheds that support B.C.’s mining industry support our fishing communities and way of life. Being downstream is not the ideal position. Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott hosted officials from British Columbia last week, which included B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett, a decision-maker for B.C. mine development projects. As a representative of United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters (USAG), I was invited to meet Minister Bennett and asked, “How would our fishing fleet be financially compensated if we experience financial losses due to real or perceived water quality issues?” Minister Bennett replied, “I don’t know.” This doesn’t make me feel better about being downstream.
We need assurance our waters will be protected and that if something happens here, Alaskans will be compensated. No dollar amount would make up for severe habitat losses but we need assurances in place. We now understand this is an international issue and the federal governments of America and Canada need to be engaged. If you’re concerned about our water quality, please write our federal delegation: U.S. Rep. Don Young and U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. Letters from us will help them talk with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to make the assurances with Canada we need. Feel free to email me with questions at [email protected].
Cynthia Wallesz, Executive Director
United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters