Washington Wild Signs Onto Letter Urging Gov. Inslee to act on threats from British Columbia mining pollution
Photo Credit: Wilderness Committee
Washington Wild joined a dozen organizations to sign onto a letter coordinated by Conservation Northwest sent to Governor Inslee regarding mining in British Columbia. The letter asks Inslee to call on BC’s provincial government in Victoria to better regulate mines that threaten Washington rivers, downstream fish, wildlife, and communities.
Proposed mining projects near multiple transboundary rivers that originate in BC and flow into Washington State — including the iconic Skagit River — currently lack proper oversight. Past projects in B.C. have had significant economic, cultural, and environmental impacts downstream in Washington, and planned projects pose a similar threat.
According to the Government of BC, there are 33 mineral exploration projects underway within about 60 miles of the Washington border. The most urgent threat is to the Similkameen Valley.
Advanced Proposals to expand mining and waste storage at the massive Copper Mountain Mine, near Princeton, BC, would exacerbate pollution problems and heighten the risk of a catastrophic event. Considering that the Similkameen flows into the Okanogan River at Oroville, these are urgent threats to Washington people, environment, and resources.
Read the full letter below.
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