Juneau -- Calling it the right thing to do, Senate President Drue Pearce (R-Anchorage) sponsored a resolution urging Governor Tony Knowles to withdraw his request for a referral of the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia to the International Joint Commission (IJC), which mediates border disputes between the U.S. and Canada. The resolution, moved by the Senate Resources Committee Wednesday, further expresses Alaska's support for the environmentally responsible development of the project.

"Involving the International Joint Commission in the Tulsequah Chief Mine simply delays an economic development project that is going through extensive environmental review," said Senator Pearce. "I think some state agencies are advocating for the IJC referral to stop the project."

The British Columbia government found that after more than four years of public comment and review by numerous permitting agencies, there were no overwhelming environmental concerns that could not be adequately addressed in the subsequent individual permitting process.

"The Canadian government has been open and cooperative throughout the permitting process. In fact, our Alaska agencies are in nearly daily contact with their counterparts in British Columbia," said Pearce. "I believe Alaska should urge responsible development of the Tulsequah Chief Mine and carefully monitor its progress. I also believe Alaska should work within Canada's permitting process and not try to impose our process. We would expect the same courtesy."

The permitting process used for the Tulsequah Chief Mine has been developed over several years. Although different than Alaska's system, Canada's process is considered by their government to be the best, most effective, and most stringent ever used in their country. Also, unlike Alaska's system, Canada's process requires ongoing environmental monitoring after permits are granted. It has been internationally touted as how environmental permitting should be handled, and is considered by many to be at least as thorough as the Alaska/U.S. permitting system.

The Tulsequah Chief Mine is located approximately 20 miles east of Juneau. Even though the Tulsequah river basin has been an active mining area since the 1920's, the Tulsequah River and downstream environs of the Taku River have produced healthy runs of salmon and continue to do so today. Environmental extremists from Alaska and other states have mounted a coordinated campaign with a budget exceeding $600 thousand. Their ultimate goal has been to stop the Tulsequah Chief Mine as well as place a moratorium on any and all future development within the Taku watershed.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 next moves to the Senate Rules Committee.

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= Drue Pearce, 92 K