In the pristine mountain streams of southern British Columbia and northern Montana, a region known for its ruggedness and natural beauty, there is a concerning phenomenon unfolding. Over the years, fish with deformed skulls and twisted spines have been discovered, leading many scientists to attribute these abnormal sightings and declines in fish populations to the presence of five massive open-pit coal mines operated by Teck Resources, a multinational mining company based in Canada.
The environmental concerns surrounding these mines are primarily linked to the presence of selenium, a chemical waste product of mining operations. When this waste leaches into the mountain rivers that flow through Indigenous land and into U.S. waterways, it can have devastating effects on aquatic life. Selenium, while a naturally occurring trace element, can accumulate in fish and birds, leading to reproductive issues, deformities, and even death. The full extent of the risk to human health from consuming contaminated fish is not yet fully understood.
Teck Resources has consistently contested regulatory standards regarding safe levels of selenium in waterways. The differing limits between countries and even between different types of water bodies further complicate oversight efforts. This ongoing dispute has led to a legal battle in Montana and Idaho, where environmentalists are challenging the state’s levels set for Lake Koocanusa in 2020. The question of whether these levels pose a hazard to aquatic life has sparked a war of words among regulators, tribal nations, and scientists opposed to Teck’s operations.
In a letter published in the journal Science in 2020, a group of scientists drew attention to the issue of cross-boundary pollution from Canadian mines like Teck’s and criticized the lack of transparent, independent, and peer-reviewed science in the mine assessment and permitting processes. They called on the Canadian and U.S. governments to engage in bilateral negotiations through the International Joint Commission. While previous appeals have not been heeded, President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau have pledged to reach an agreement by summer 2022 to address water pollution in the Elk-Kootenay watershed.
Teck continues to challenge the Montana standard for selenium levels, which is more restrictive compared to U.S. standards. The company maintains that selenium concentrations in Lake Koocanusa are safe and have remained stable since 2012. However, scientists in Montana dispute Teck’s assessments and assert that selenium levels in the lake have not decreased. The debate over the more restrictive Montana standard has also sparked controversy among Republican-led lawmakers and state agency officials.
The pollution caused by the mines stems from the leaching of selenium into waterways through waste rock when it rains or snow melts. The Fording and Elk Rivers in British Columbia, near the mines, have experienced extremely high selenium levels at times, leading to significant impacts on fish populations, such as the decline of genetically pure cutthroat trout in the Fording River. In 2021, Teck was fined a record $60 million under Canada’s Fisheries Act for selenium release into the Fording River.
Unlike other environmental disasters that result in visibly dead fish, the effects of selenium poisoning are more insidious. Fish mortality occurs during the larval stage, leading to reduced population numbers. Deformities in reproductive organs contribute to lower reproduction rates, making the contaminant difficult to detect. This “invisible contaminant” hampers the ability of fish to thrive and hatch eggs successfully.
The presence of chemical pollution related to mining in the rivers violates the 1909 International Boundary Waters Treaty, according to U.S. and tribal officials. Tribal leaders argue that such pollution may also breach their treaty rights from 1855, which guarantee the right to fish in “usual and accustomed places.” They are calling for the International Joint Commission to study the issue and provide recommendations for cleanup. Yet, the government of British Columbia has opposed efforts to address the situation, further exacerbating tensions between the two regions.
One of the fundamental challenges in addressing this issue lies in British Columbia’s approach to regulation. The province largely allows industries, including mining companies, to self-monitor and provide evidence produced by their own scientists. Critics argue that this self-regulation allows companies like Teck to run unchecked and avoid taking responsibility for the environmental consequences of their operations.
Teck Resources, recognizing the gravity of the situation, has invested significant amounts of money in wastewater treatment near the mines and plans further investments to improve water quality. However, environmentalists and scientists remain skeptical of the effectiveness of these measures and the long-term prospects for reducing selenium contamination in the rivers.
Coal mining has been a significant part of the Canadian province’s history for over a century. The shift to open-pit mining in the 1980s, particularly the cross-valley fill method, has allowed for the extraction of high-grade metallurgical coal essential for steel manufacturing. However, this method, similar to mountaintop-removal techniques employed in other regions, has detrimental environmental impacts. The use of explosive charges in blasting releases pollutants such as cadmium, sulfates, and nitrates into the environment.
Teck’s open-pit coal mines produce millions of metric tons of coal annually, contributing significantly to the local economy and employment rates. However, an analysis conducted by the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce highlights the need for a balance between economic benefits and environmental considerations. Critics argue that British Columbia and Canada have failed to regulate Teck adequately, allowing the corporation to operate without taking full responsibility for the consequences of its actions.
Scientists are deeply concerned that these existing mines will continue to pollute the rivers for centuries, posing significant risks to the ecosystem and local communities. The urgency to address this issue grows as plans for expanding existing mines and opening new ones are being pursued. Experts argue that immediate action is necessary to prevent irreparable damage and safeguard the health of the waterways.
Overall, the battle over selenium pollution from Teck’s coal mines in southern British Columbia and northern Montana is a complex and ongoing struggle involving scientists, regulators, tribal nations, and the mining company itself. The dispute over safe levels, regulatory oversight, and the long-term consequences of mining operations underscores the need for comprehensive bilateral negotiations between Canada and the United States. Environmentalists and concerned stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome of these negotiations and hoping for concrete actions to protect the health and integrity of the affected waterways.
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