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    © January 15,2021 Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council

    Mining in Alaska Toolkit

    A Publication of the Yukon River Intertribal Watershed Council with support provided by the Lannan Foundation

    A Publication of the Yukon River Intertribal Watershed Council with support provided by the Lannan Foundation

    A Publication of the Yukon River Inter-ribal Watershed Council with support provided by the Lannan Foundation

                                                 Overview of the YRITWC’s Mining Program

    ​

    The YRITWC Mining Program is built on these directives
    •    Directive 2015 in Minto, AK: To establish a mining watchdog position … to guide water and soil sampling, with a focus on creating informational tools, grounded in Traditional Knowledge
    •    Directive 2017 in Carcross, Yukon, CA: Gather Information About Mining and Other Discharges into the Watershed and Assess Potential Impacts to Human and Fish Health


    Goals of the Mining Program include:
    1.    To create user-friendly tools to inform local and regional decision-making regarding mining
    2.    To partner with, and empower, communities to collect accurate, trustworthy mining contaminant data that has potential to impact human and ecosystem health
    3.    To work with relevant stakeholders, including the mining industry, and others to promote responsible development and clean-up of mine related waste and equipment

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    In the state of Alaska, mining is a significant portion of the economy, contributing almost $100 million to the state of Alaska’s revenue every year. 

    In particular, the Yukon River Watershed bears both the risks and opportunities of mining. The risks, in potential threats to water quality and the landscape. The opportunities, in potential revenues and employment locally. In the Yukon River Watershed, most of the mining activity folks experience will be either exploration or placer mining. There are a few hard rock mines in the watershed, such as Fort Knox, that both produce significantly more revenue but bear more environmental risk. As of 2013, there are about 265 placer mines in the state of Alaska and 6 operating large mines (ISER).


    The Yukon River Watershed Council developed this toolkit in order to aid communities in the Yukon River understand what rights they have and navigate legal and social systems in asserting those rights. 

    Download a PDF here

    Mining in AK Toolkit.pdf
    Mining in AK Toolkit.pdf

    Mining in my Area

    Utilizing the Mining Map tool, users can find mining impacts in their area

    GIS.PNG
    Mining Map

    Environmental Impacts

    Using the documents in the Environmental Impacts section, users can understand the environmental risks of different types of mining

    Sand Sifting
    Placer Mining
    Loader
    Hard Rock Mining

    Mining Policy

    Using the documents in the Mining Policy section, users can understand the policies designed to protect their resources in Alaska and the best ways to assert those rights

    Flow Chart
    Policy Flowchart
    Cold Mountians
    Water Quality Impacts
    Fish Pail
    Fish Habitat Impacts
    Lily Pads
    Wetlands + WOTUS
    US government building
    Federal Lands
    Arctic Landscape
    State Lands
    Worker with Glasses
    Industry Engagement
    Blueprinting
    NEPA Review
    Reflection in a Pond
    Reclamation
    Red Leaves
    Transboundary

    Case Studies

    Using lessons from two case studies and some general tips, users can engage in more effective advocacy

    Tractors
    Red Dog Mine
    Dry Woods
    Birch Creek vs Mining
    Shore
    Norton Sound
    Lecture on Religion
    Public Comment

    Glossary

    Short Definitions of key terms to help users understand the toolkit

    trans-la-tion
    Glossary