| Plans to Reopen Mine Opposed | 03 March 05 |
 B.C. based environmental groups have joined the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in criticizing the January 2005 preliminary federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans decision to approve the Tulsequah Chief mine in northern B.C., citing that the project is "not likely" to pose an environmental risk."Try to imagine building a 160-kilometre road into a pristine wilderness watershed, the construction of over 200 water crossings, and the operation of a contaminating mine on the banks of a salmon-rich river without any significant environmental impacts," said Transboundary Watershed Alliance (TWA) spokesman David MacKinnon. TWA joins the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, whose traditional territory would be affected by the project in opposing the mine. In a February 22, 2005 news conference, the First Nation demanded that Ottawa rescind its approval of the Tulsequah Chief Mine project. John Ward, spokesperson for the First Nation, told an Ottawa news conference the federal government's recent approval of the mining project is misguided and inappropriate. "We want to see sustainability, not just for our people, but for all the other interests in our traditional territory. Right now we need to see this process halted until that good work is done." While making the announcement, Ward was flanked by famed anthropologist Wade Davis and ecologist Daniel Botkin. He said he has support of thousands of other environmentalists as well, including Robert Kennedy Jr. who submitted assessment comments to Canada's Environment Minister. Redfern Ventures Ltd. of Toronto is attempting to reopen an old mining property called Tulsequah Chief, about 100 kilometres south of Atlin, B.C. and 64 kilometres northeast of Juneau, Alaska. The company has already received approval from the B.C. government but the project has faced delays in receiving approval at the federal level. View the Vancouver Sun February 15, 2005 article (DOC) View the February 22, 2005 CBC North article on the Taku River Tligit news conference View the Transboundary Watershed Alliance Backgrounder and Update on the Taku Watershed View the Transboundary Watershed Alliance Timeline for the Tulsequah Chief Mine View Robert Kennedy Jr.'s assessment letter to the Environment Minister (PDF) View the February 26, 2005 Globe & Mail article Sources: Vancouver Sun, Transboundary Watershed Alliance, CBC North |
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