LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. –
Canada and the United States will examine the downstream impacts of pollution from coal mining in British Columbia.
Indigenous groups and government agencies south of the border have pushed for Canada to address pollution from coal mining flowing downstream into Montana and Idaho.
The work is carried out within the framework of the International Joint Commission.
“We have been dealing with Elk River water pollution spilling into the Kootenai River and our Native fishing grounds and land uses for over a decade,” said Tom McDonald, chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The Canadian government initially declined to participate in any investigation.
However, under pressure from American senators and officials, Canada eventually agreed to review coal mining.
“The United States government has supported the IJC's involvement throughout. The delay was on Canada’s side,” said Kathryn Teneese, chairwoman of the Ktunaxa National Council.
Indigenous nations and communities on both sides of the border are calling for a review of pollution from coal mining.
Groups living near or downstream of coal mines say they have been negatively impacted by pollution.
Fisheries in particular were hit hard.
“It impacts fishing. The small fish get hit first, they lose their ability to reproduce,” McDonald said.
“You see these deformed fish in the system. So if it continues to sink and big fish eat small fish, selenium will persist in the environment.”
The pollution comes from the Elk Valley Mines in B.C
The mines are owned by Teck Resources, which is currently selling the operation to Glencore, a Swiss mining company.
“Teck is committed to continuing to work with tribes, communities and governments to protect water health and share data, and we have made significant progress in implementing the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan, which is successfully improving water quality in the region,” said Teck said in a statement.
A team of researchers will soon begin studying pollution in British Columbia, Montana and Idaho before coming up with recommendations on how to deal with the contamination.
Researchers won't know the full extent of the damage until the investigation is complete.