Silvers and Gold: Examining the Risks of British Columbia’s Mining Industry to Alaskan Salmon

The salmon fishery in Southeast Alaska is unique, in that it is dependent not only on responsible harvesting in Alaska but also upon the protection of spawning and rearing habitat across the border in British Columbia, where mining is rapidly expanding. These mines produce waste that is toxic to salmon, and although the management of the waste is regulated, there is always a risk that contaminants may escape into nearby waterways. This paper investigates how effective the regulation of mine waste management in the province is and whether the current approach can reasonably ensure the health of salmon populations over the hundreds of years that these contaminants remain bioavailable. To answer this question, I outline the regulatory legislation and agencies governing tailings management in British Columbia, additionally investigating two cases of dangerous contaminant releases at Tulsequah Chief Mine and Mount Polley Mine. Through this analysis, I find an extensive history of neglectful management in the province, fostered by conflicting objectives of regulation, remote geography, the volatility of the metals market, and the nature of externalities, both spatial and temporal. I conclude with recommendations to reform tailings management in the province to better protect salmon populations.