Unspoiled Taku River Valley discussions on land use

Not much news about this process - at least, I know little about it. So, I thought it wouldn't hurt to give it a little more exposure. This may not be the best explanation but feel free to add, in the Comments section, links to an article you would recommend.

Gold glitters in B.C.'s last intact watershed
By Tom Fletcher - BC Local News

Published: November 29, 2009 1:00 PM

Negotiations are under way to set land use rules for B.C.’s last pristine coastal watershed, the remote Taku River valley near the Alaska and Yukon borders.
In talks similar to those that established the so-called Great Bear Rainforest agreement on B.C.'s central and northern coast three years ago, the Taku River Tlingit First Nation is moving beyond court challenges over mining to a plan that would share the resources and tourism potential of their vast traditional territory.

Photo of Taku River Valley


UPDATE Dec. 28, 2012: Yukon's free entry mineral staking rules in jeopardy
Court of Appeal says mining claims can have serious impacts on aboriginal title


UPDATE - NEWS RELEASE from Taku River Klingit First Nation

Taku River Tlingit Joint Clan Forum Rejects Proposed Tulsequah Chief Project

 

November 28, 2012:  The Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN), faced with significant concerns about the state of Chieftain Metals’ proposal and negotiations, held a Joint Clan meeting on November 18, 2012 where the Joint Clan Forum rejected the proposed Tulsequah Chief Project.

The Joint Clan Mandate instructs TRTFN Leadership to "take all steps necessary to ensure that the Tulsequah Chief project, as currently proposed, is not developed on Taku River Tlingit Territory.”

The consensus decision was made based on numerous shortcomings, including Chieftain’s failure to maintain a water treatment plant to manage pollution from the original mine site, and its failure to provide a workable feasibility study.

Frustration at the Joint Clan meeting was high while citizens questioned how they could possibly consider approving the proposed project in the face of so little certainty on the requirements of responsible development on Taku River Tlingit Territory.

The Joint Clan Forum has no confidence, based on the steps taken to date, that the mine could be built or operated in an acceptable manner, and believes there is a serious risk of the project collapsing part way though, leaving an even more damaging legacy for TRTFN lands and waters than is already being perpetuated by the original abandoned mine.

Other concerns include the manner in which Chieftain’s proposed project has been approved by the BC government without the full and informed participation of the TRTFN, and in the absence of full plans on which to base their decisions.

As a responsible government, and as land owners, the TRTFN must ensure its time and resources are directed to financially viable and environmentally responsible projects.  The currently proposed Tulsequah Chief Project does not meet these minimum requirements.