WA Wild Coordinates Letter in Support of Permanent Protection of the Skagit Headwaters

Washington Wild coordinated a comment letter undersigned by 187 conservation, recreation and wildlife organizations as well as U.S. Tribes, Canadian First Nations, local businesses, elected officials, and other concerned interests representing Washington State to express  gratitude to British Columbia Premier John Horgan for his leadership in the agreement that was finalized on January 19, 2022, which surrendered the mineral tenures in the area known as the Skagit “donut hole” and to find a solution to permanently protect the Skagit Headwaters. 

An international coalition cheered a major victory today: A settlement to halt mining in the Skagit Headwaters. In 2019, Imperial Metals Corporation filed a permit to begin mining in the “donut hole” of the unprotected Canadian headwaters of the Skagit River. Today — after a nearly three-year decision process — the British Columbia government, Imperial Metals, and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC) announced a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that stipulates the return of all mining and related rights in the Silver Daisy area of the Canadian Skagit Headwaters held by Imperial Metals back to the Province of British Columbia.  

The international coalition coordinated by Washington Wild grew to nearly 300 Tribes, First Nations, elected officials, local businesses, and conservation, recreation, and wildlife organizations united in their opposition to Imperial Metals’ proposal to pursue a mining permit at the source of the Skagit River, which flows through Washington State before reaching the Puget Sound.