Protecting SE Alaska Transboundary Waters

The State of Alaska and British Columbia held a Transboundary Open House on June 25, 2024.Representatives from both governments provided updates and interacted with the public on issues related to environmental protection and mining in Southeast Alaska. Stations were set up to address the following topics:

The State of Alaska engages in the review of large hard rock mining projects that have the potential to affect Alaska’s interests that depend on transboundary rivers. Generally, mining activities in northwest British Columbia do not require State of Alaska approval, because the proposed activities would occur outside of Alaska. However, if the activities could potentially affect downstream water quality, fish habitat, or fishery resources, the State of Alaska participates in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process administered by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). For more information on the EA process and the EAO, please visit http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/ea_process.html

Some mining projects proposed in British Columbia also require federal environmental review administered by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA). For more information on the federal environmental review processes and the CEAA, please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments

Transboundary Bilateral Working Group

The State of Alaska and the Province of British Columbia maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Statement of Cooperation (SOC) for the protection of transboundary waters. Per the MOU and SOC, a Bilateral Working Group (BWG) was established consisting of the commissioners of the Alaska Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Fish and Game (ADF&G), and Natural Resources (DNR) and the deputy ministers of the British Columbia Ministries of Energy, Mines, and Low-Carbon Innovation (EMLI) and Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV).

BWG Meeting Summaries

BWG Transboundary Waters Newsletter

BWG Public Meeting Presentations

Water Quality Monitoring

Through the SOC, the State of Alaska and Province of British Columbia established a Technical Working Group on Monitoring (TWG-M) comprised of agency and ministry experts tasked with developing recommendations for the BWG regarding the scope, elements, and funding of a defined coordinated monitoring effort. In 2017, the BWG approved a Project Description and Two-year Workplan for a Joint Water Quality Monitoring Program for Transboundary Waters (see attachments in SOC, link above). The TWG-M produced the following reports based on their work.

B.C. Mining Projects

Mine projects proposed or operating in British Columbia that the State of Alaska has reviewed or is in the process of reviewing can be found on the B.C Transboundary site.

British Columbia has created a website dedicated to providing information and updates on the Tulsequah Chief Mine.

Alaska and British Columbia created an interactive map of transboundary mines.

Permitting

In addition to the EA process, which concludes with the issuance of an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC), a mine project proposed in British Columbia must also complete a rigorous permitting processes. Permits must be obtained by a project proponent, pursuant to the Environmental Management Act and the Mines Act, before construction or operations may begin.

British Columbia’s Authorization Management System provides access to all waste discharge authorization documents issued under the Environmental Management Act.

Additional Information

State of Alaska agencies have developed the following information related to transboundary mine projects.

Interactive Transboundary Map (beta)
Reciprocal Procedures
Communication Plan
Informational presentation regarding the State of Alaska’s engagement with British Columbia for reviewing mine projects proposed in transboundary watersheds