Uncertainty Upstream Potential Threats from Tailings Facility Failures in Northern British Columbia

June 2015 BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council 1764 – 1959 Marine Drive North Vancouver, BC V7P 3G1 Canada

Photo by David Nunuk Cover photo: Taku Headwaters Cover photo credit: David Nunuk

GIS provided by Spatial Support Systems

All content is © BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council Table of Contents

Foreword...... 3

Executive Summary...... 4

Introduction...... 6

Primary GIS Analysis ...... 10

Summary of Findings ...... 11

Appendix I: Tailings Pond Facilities — Number and Type...... 14

Appendix II: Waterways, Watersheds, and Tailings Ponds...... 15

Appendix III: First Nations Communities and Tailings Ponds...... 18

Appendix IV: Settlements and Tailings Ponds...... 20

Appendix V: Anadromous Fish and Tailings Ponds...... 26

Appendix VI: Regional Detail Map Series...... 29

Endnotes...... 38

Page 1 Photo by David Nunuk

Page 2 Foreword

Many look to the landscapes of British Columbia and see vast, unoccupied lands rich with resources that are free for the taking . However, for First Nations in British Columbia, these lands have been occupied since time immemorial and their riches cannot be counted tree- by-tree, fish-by-fish, or stone-by-stone . Instead, the wealth of these landscapes can only be known through the relationships between the people, the lands, and the waters . It is because of the knowledge of these relationships that First Nations in British Columbia assume a responsibility in deciding how the lands and resources in British Columbia are to be used .

Unfortunately, capacity to participate as equal partners in decision-making is low among British Columbia’s more than 200 First Nations communities . However, lack of capacity can no longer be an excuse for governments and industry to exclude First Nations from the decision- making table . Nor can we as indigenous peoples afford to watch from the sidelines as others make decisions that will affect our communities, lands and resources both today and in the future .

Perhaps nothing better illustrates this than the catastrophic failure of the tailings dam at Mount Polley . Expected to last in perpetuity, the tailings dam breach released 25 million cubic metres of mine waste into the receiving environment . The disaster not only devastated communities living downstream but also triggered anxiety in government, industry experts, shareholders and, most especially, communities living downstream of major tailings facilities across the province as everyone wondered, “Could a similar event happen again?”

Following the investigation into the Mount Polley disaster by an expert panel, we now know that without significant changes to the current mining practices, in British Columbia alone we can expect two tailings dam failures every 10 years.

With this latest disaster occurring on August 4, 2014, the clock continues ticking down reminding us we no longer have the luxury of time . We do, however, have an opportunity to make lasting change and ensure that no community will ever face the same devastation experienced by the communities downstream of Mount Polley . This will demand a commitment to work together with government and industry in order to change past practices that can impact, sometimes irreversibly, the homes and livelihoods of First Nations .

Page 3 Executive Summary

Since the failure of the Mount Polley tailings facility in August, 2014, there has been increased awareness of the long-term risks from potential failures of tailings facilities to the fish, wildlife, and general ecology of downstream rivers and lakes and the communities that depend on them . This GIS-based analysis of northern British Columbia and southeast Alaska (starting at Mount Polley and extending north to the Yukon border) shows the streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands that would be impacted by a failure in existing tailings facilities, the special habitats for salmon and other fish and wildlife within the potentially impacted areas, and the First Nations communities and other cities and settlements that could be affected by future tailings failures .

The analysis includes 35 tailings ponds at 26 mine site locations in northern British Columbia (from Mount Polley to the Yukon border) . The mines encompassed in this area are listed in Appendix I and include Red Chris, Endako, Mount Milligan, Yellowjacket, and others .

A total of 8,678 kilometres of streams, rivers, and lakes lie downstream of the flow paths of contaminants that would result from failures in the 35 tailings ponds facilities within the selected area . Of this total, 3,275 kilometres are immediately downstream of these tailings facilities and 5,403 kilometres are further downstream where the contaminants could eventually reach .

Within the selected area, there are 33 First Nations communities in watersheds that could be impacted by failures in the 35 tailings facilities, including 17 (52%) that would be within watersheds impacted by immediate flow paths of contaminants . Additional First Nations communities further upstream of potential contaminant flow paths may also be affected because of impacts to migrating fish that could be impacted downstream of a tailings facility failure .

There are 208 additional cities and settlements within watersheds that would be impacted by downstream flow from failures of tailings facilities — 69 in watersheds that would receive immediate contaminant flows from failures in tailings facilities and 139 in watersheds that would receive eventual contaminant flows .

Page 4 The amount of identified important anadromous fish habitat potentially impacted by a failure of the 35 tailings ponds is significant . The total kilometres of habitat downstream of tailings pond facilities is listed by species, along with additional habitat upstream of potential contaminant flow paths (access requiring migrating through potential flow paths) . • Chinook Salmon: 2,575 km (10,238 additional km upstream of flow paths) • Chum Salmon: 1,229 km (1,207 additional km upstream of flow paths) • Coho Salmon: 2,184 km (6,123 additional km upstream of flow paths) • Pink Salmon: 1,512 km (2,015 additional km upstream of flow paths) • Sockeye Salmon: 2,735 km (5,910 additional km upstream of flow paths) • Steelhead: 1,229 km (3,085 additional km upstream of flow paths) Because mining activities take place on Indigenous peoples’ traditional lands and disproportionately impact Indigenous communities, the principle of free, prior and informed consent must be applied in advance of mining operations, from exploration through all phases of development, including post-closure . Project planning must engage and be led by the communities which are most connected with these landscapes .

A high priority should be placed on protecting entire river, lake, and wetland ecosystems from industrial activities and impacts . A renewed focus on establishing headwater to mouth watershed protected areas for river systems with full complements of migratory fish is needed to compensate for freshwater habitat and biodiversity lost and impaired in other watersheds . Protected areas should encompass watersheds and waterways to ensure that rivers remain unfragmented and hydrological flows remain unimpaired .

Mining companies and government entities should ensure that communities impacted by mining activity secure lasting, long-term economic benefits that enhance community health and sustainability . Communities and the public should be protected by funding mechanisms against unanticipated post mine-closure impacts or financial burdens for clean-up and remediation .

Page 5 Introduction

Northern British Columbia is one of the most visually stunning and ecologically vibrant regions in North America . From dramatic snow-capped mountains to lush river valleys and majestic lakes, this still largely pristine region harbors a rich variety of wildlife that has sustained indigenous peoples for thousands of years .

Rivers such as the Stikine, Nass, and Skeena — the origins of which form what is often called the Sacred Headwaters — as well as many others provide large networks of salmon and steelhead spawning habitat that have not been heavily altered, blocked, or degraded by human activities 1. These migratory fish provide sustenance and income for many northern First Nations communities and provide a healthy supply of fish for the major fisheries in southeast Alaska and coastal British Columbia .

These fish populations also constitute a critical food source for the grizzly bear and form an integral part of the biological food web . Anadromous fish like salmon and steelhead have been found to reallocate considerable amounts of sea-born nutrients to the inland aquatic communities upstream where they breed as well as to the terrestrial environments in those watersheds via predatory birds and mammals 2. And although the British Columbia interior has witnessed heavier industrial disturbance levels than northern regions of some provinces, the intricate networks of rivers and lakes throughout the region continue to provide critical spawning habitat for the well-known Fraser River salmon run .

Northern British Columbia is also increasingly being viewed as one of North America’s next great mining boom regions . The opening of numerous large mining projects as well as the construction of the Northwest Transmission Line, which was built primarily to provide energy for large industrial projects in northwestern British Columbia,3 has led to projections of as much as a 300 percent increase in mining output in northern British Columbia between 2011 and 2020 . This would make it the fastest expansion of mining output of any northern mineral region in all of Canada 4.

Indicative of this dichotomy in what defines northern British Columbia, the headwaters of the Stikine, Nass, and Skeena Rivers may be described as the ‘Golden Triangle’ by a mining executive or the ‘Sacred Headwaters’ by an ecologist or First Nations member .

Page 6 Tailings pond failure at Mount Polley Photo: Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

Page 7 The catastrophic failure of a tailings storage facility at Mount Polley in August, 2014, not only shocked citizens of nearby cities, settlements, and First Nations communities, it caught the attention of the entire nation . An independent review of the tailings dam breach found the incident occurred due to structural flaws and failure to detect a weak layer in the structure’s foundation 5. In response, the Government of British Columbia ordered all mining companies with tailings facilities to investigate whether similar foundation materials are present and moved to implement new requirements to establish independent review boards for tailings dams .6

Even with the implementation of stricter guidelines and more thorough reviews, however, there is simply no guarantee that another incident similar to Mount Polley will not occur in the future . In fact, an appendix in the official report on Mount Polley estimated that an average of two failures would occur per decade within the province 7. A catalogue of dangerous occurrences at mining operations across the province, released publicly by the Vancouver Sun, contained 49 occurrences documented between 2000 and 2012, including a breach of a dike, leaked tailings, and the discovery of sinkholes, among others 8. A major earthquake or other unpredictable environmental event could increase both the likelihood and severity of a future incident and make an existing disaster exponentially worse, both socially and ecologically .

The nature and extent of potential future tailings facility failures depends on the geology of the region and the magnitude of the failure . A synthesis of submissions to the Chief Inspector’s Orders found that of the 50 dams reviewed and classified by the time of publication, 29 were found to have either high, very high, or extreme potential for environmental and cultural value lossesi or populations at riskii upon failure 9.

The concentrations of toxins in many tailings ponds are highly deleterious to fish and aquatic life and can leave streams and rivers absent of most living creatures in extreme cases, such as a major breach of a tailings dam 10. This analysis focuses on potential threats to the cities and communities of northern British Columbia — both indigenous and non-indigenous — as well as spawning and migratory habitat of anadromous fish populations (salmon and steelhead) in the event of future tailings facility failures .

i Classifications of definitions pertaining to environmental and cultural values: High = Significant loss, restoration highly possible; Very high = Significant loss, restoration possible but impractical; Extreme = Major loss of critical habitat, restoration impossible. ii The population at risk is ordinarily located in the dam-breach inundation zone (e.g., as permanent residents); three consequence classes (high, very high, extreme) are proposed to allow for more detailed estimates of potential loss of life (to assist in decision-making if the appropriate analysis is carried out).

Page 8 It is not intended to imply that all of the tailings facilities analyzed will at some point fail; rather, it is meant to provide a comprehensive summary of potential threats from future tailings facility failures in Northern British Columbia, as well as act a cautionary exercise for future planning given the increase in interest and capacity for future mining operations throughout the region .

Strathnaver

Cinema Raush Valley

Greening Cottonwood Wells Moose River Beaver Pass House Heights Cottonwood Barkerville Cotwood Wingdam Stanley Baker Barlow Coldspring House Quesnel Lhtako Rich Bar Dene Gravelle Ferry

Australian Quesnel Forks

Alexandria Likely ?Esdilagh Hydraulic First Nation Gibraltar Castle Rock Marguerite Mount Polley

Macalister Quesnel River Horseﬂy

Hargreaves Xatśūll Twan Creek (Soda Creek) Miocene Pine Valley

Comer Williams Lake Sugarcane Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

Watersheds Immediately Impacted Hydrologic Flow Paths Below Tailings Storage Facilities First Nations’ Communities By Flows Originating From Tailings Tailings Storage Facilities and Storage Facilities Affected Wetlands and Lakes Medium / Large Cities First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts to Salmon Watersheds Potentially Impacted and Steelhead Habitat By Flows Originating From Tailings Settlements / Communities Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Storage Facilities Upstream From Impacts

Map 1: Full extent of eventual contaminant flow path from Mount Polley, as well as potential future flow paths in the event of a failure at Gibraltar or other mines upstream of Quesnel.

Page 9 Primary GIS Analysis

Yellowjacket Cassiar-McDame Taurus Gold

Table Mountain Cusac Fort Nelson

Juneau

Golden Bear

Red Chris Lawyers/Cheni

Shasta/Multinational B & Baker Mill Snip Kemess South

Johnny Mountain Eskay Creek Fort St. John Premier Gold Project

Red Mountain/Jumbo

Bullmoose Wolverine Coal Bell Mount Milligan Quinette Granisle Pinchi Lake Smithers Terrace

Prince Rupert Equity Silver Kitimat

! AREA! OF MAP DETAIL Endako Prince George

! Huckleberry

! Quesnel

! !

! ! Gibraltar Mount Polley

Data sources: BC ILMB, Geobase, Geogratis, SRTM, ESRI Map produced by: Rick Tingey, Spatial Support Systems, March 2015 Sources: Esri, GEBCO, NOAA, National Geographic, Delorme, NAVTEQ, Geonames.org, and other contributors Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGA, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

Map 2: The full extent of contaminant flow paths in the event of future tailings pond facility failures within Northern British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. Because definitions of Northern British Columbia vary depending on political, popular, or ecological context, this analysis encompassed a broad interpretation, beginning at Mount Polley to the south and ending at the Yukon border to the north.

Page 10 Summary of Findings

All figures are representative of the area analyzed and are estimates based on the best available GIS sources . For practical purposes and due to the fact that they are isolated from these waterways and watersheds, islands off the coast of British Columbia were not included .

Tailings Facilities Analyzed: • 35 tailings facilities at 26 mining operation sites were analyzed . • Commodities mined and status vary by mine and tailings facility . • Most sites featured one tailings facility, however some featured two or more . Potential Waterways Affected: • A total of 8,678 kilometres of creek, river, and lake habitat are downstream of tailings facilities . • 3,275 kilometres of habitat is immediately downstream (within same watershed of facility) . • 5,403 kilometres of habitat is further downstream (within watersheds downstream of watershed where the tailings facility is located) . Potential Watersheds Affected: • A total of 48 watersheds contain or are downstream of a tailings facility . • Tailings facilities occur in 19 distinct watersheds . • An additional 29 watersheds lie downstream of immediately affected watersheds . • 83% of potentially affected watersheds contain or are downstream of more than one facility . • 52% of potentially affected watersheds contain or are downstream of more than four or more facilities . • 29% of the watersheds within the entire analyzed region contain or are downstream of a tailings facility overall . Potential First Nations Communities Affected: • A total of 33 primary First Nations communities are in watersheds containing or downstream of tailings facilities . • 62% of primary First Nations communities within the entire analyzed region are in watersheds containing or downstream of tailings facilities overall . • Of communities in potentially affected watersheds, 94% are within 20 kilometres of a potential contaminant flow path . • An additional two communities — McLeod Lake First Nation and Williams Lake First Nation — are in other watersheds but are within 20 kilometres of a potential contaminant flow path . Potential Cities and Settlements Affected: • A total of 208 cities and settlements are in watersheds containing or downstream of tailings facilities . • Of cities and settlements in potentially affected watersheds, 82% are within 20 kilometres of a potential contaminant flow path . • Six out of the 10 largest population centres in the area analyzed are in watersheds featuring or downstream of tailings facilities, or are within 20 kilometres of a potential contaminant flow path (Fort St . John, Prince George, Quesnel, Smithers, Terrace, and Williams Lake) . Prince Rupert is also close to a potential contaminant flow path at 22 kilometres .

Page 11 Potentially Affected Andadromous Fish Species:

Chinook Salmon: • 2,575 kilometres of Chinook Salmon habitat is downstream of a tailings facility . • 10,238 kilometres of Chinook Salmon habitat would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . • 80% of Chinook Salmon overall habitat is either downstream of a tailings facility or would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . Chum Salmon: • 1,229 kilometres of Chum Salmon habitat is downstream of a tailings facility . • 1,207 kilometres of Chum Salmon habitat would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . • 47% of Chum Salmon overall habitat is either downstream of a tailings facility or would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . Coho Salmon: • 2,184 kilometres of Coho Salmon habitat is downstream of a tailings facility . • 6,132 kilometres of Coho Salmon habitat would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . • 58% of Coho Salmon overall habitat is either downstream of a tailings facility or would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path .

Page 12 Pink Salmon: • 1,512 kilometres of Pink Salmon habitat is downstream of a tailings facility . • 2,015 kilometres of Pink Salmon habitat would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . • 53% of Pink Salmon overall habitat is either downstream of a tailings facility or would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . Sockeye Salmon: • 2,735 kilometres of Sockeye Salmon habitat is downstream of a tailings facility . • 5,910 kilometres of Sockeye Salmon habitat would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . • 79% of Sockeye Salmon overall habitat is either downstream of a tailings facility or would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . Steelhead: • 1,229 kilometres of Steelhead habitat is downstream of a tailings facility . • 3,085 kilometres of Steelhead habitat would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path . • 66% of Steelhead overall habitat is either downstream of a tailings facility or would require migrating through a potential contaminant flow path .

Page 13 Appendix I: Tailings Pond Facilities — Number and Type

This analysis covers 35 tailings facilities at 26 mining operation sites . Most mining sites only feature one tailings facility . However, some sites feature more than one . Endako features the most with three tailings facilities . Many of the mines featured in this analysis feature compositions most often associated with acid rock drainage, including coal, copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) .

Mines and tailing facilities included in this analysis range from closed (non-operational but still containing contamination risks), to care and maintenance (open but inactive), to operating and under construction .

Table 1: Tailings Pond Facilities Featured

Mine Name Company Status Tailings Commodity Watershed Name Bell Glencore Canada Corporation Closed 1 Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Pb, Mo Babine Lake Bullmoose Teck Coal Closed 1 Metallurgical coal Murray River Cassiar-McDame Cassiar Jade Contracting Inc. Closed 1 Ab, Ch, Jd, Gs, Mg Middle Dease River Endako Thompson Creek Metals Operating 3 Mo Francois Lake Equity Silver Goldcorp Closed 1 Ag, Cu, Au, Sb, As Bulkley River Eskay Creek Barrick Gold Inc Closed 1 Au, Ag, Zn, Cu, Pb Unuk River Gibraltar Taseko Mines Ltd. Operating 1 Cu, Mo Narcosli Creek Golden Bear North American Metals Corporation Closed 1 Au, Ag, Cu, Sb Sheslay River Granisle Glencore Canada Corporation Closed 2 Cu, Ag, Au, Mo Babine Lake Huckleberry Huckleberry Mines Ltd. Operating 2 Cu, Mo, Ag, Au Upper Nechako Reservoir Johnny Mountain Skyline Gold Closed 1 Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn Lower Iskut River Kemess South AuRico Gold Inc. Closed 1 Cu, Au, Mo, Ag Firesteel River Lawyers/Cheni Cheni Resources Inc. Closed 1 Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Pb Toodoggone River Mount Milligan Thompson Creek Metals Operating 1 Au, Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn Nation River Mount Polley Imperial Metals Operating 1 Au, Ag, Cu Quesnel River Pinchi Lake Teck Closed 2 Hg Stuart Lake Premier Gold Project Boliden Closed 1 Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd Unuk River Quintette Teck Coal Care and Maintenance 2 Metallurgical coal Murray River Red Chris Red Chris Development Company Ltd. Construction 1 Cu, Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, Mo Upper Iskut River Red Mountain/Jumbo Ministry of Energy and Mines Closed 1 Au, Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu Kshwan River Shasta/Multinational B Sable Resources Ltd. Care and Maintenance 2 Au, Ag, Zn, Cu, Pb Toodoggone River & Baker Mill Snip Barrick Gold Inc Closed 1 Au, Ag, Zn, Cu, Pb Lower Iskut River Table Mountain/Cusac Cassiar Gold Corp Care and Maintenance 2 Au, Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu, Sb, Bi, Cd Dease Lake Taurus Gold Cassiar Gold Corp Closed 1 Au, Ag, Zn, Cu Middle Dease River Wolverine Coal Walter Energy Operating 1 Hard coking coal (HCC) Murray River Yellowjacket Yellow Jacket Resources Ltd. Care and Maintenance 2 Au Atlin Lake

Page 14 Appendix II: Waterways, Watersheds, and Tailings Ponds

The most immediately affected areas in the event of a tailings facility failure is the area directly below the impoundment and the creeks, rivers, lakes along the continued drainage route of the tailings and associated contaminants (referred in this analysis as a contaminant flow path) . Because impacts to downstream habitats are generally highest closer to the source of the contaminants, potential contaminant flow paths at both the drainage extent and broader watershed level were delineated into ‘immediate’ and ‘eventual’ based on the likely magnitude of contamination .

Overall, more than 3,200 kilometres of creek, river, and lake habitat are immediately downstream of tailings facilities in the area analyzed, while an additional 5,400 kilometres of waterways are further downstream (once the contamination reaches the next adjoining watershed) . In total, more than 8,600 kilometres of aquatic river and stream habitat are potentially at risk .

Table 2: Length of Potentially Affected Habitat in Immediate Watersheds and in Additional Watersheds Downstream

Habitat Length Immediate Watersheds 3274.9 Watersheds Downstream 5403.2 Total 8678.2

Due to the interconnected nature of aquatic health and wildlife within watersheds as well as the broad geographic range of human reliance on the streams, rivers, and lakes contained in them, threats from tailings facility failures cannot be looked at solely in terms of where the contaminants would flow directly .

Watersheds in which tailings ponds are embedded would typically experience the worst effects from contamination upon a tailings failure . However, adverse effects are expected in watersheds adjoining the immediately impacted watershed depending on the volume and extent of contamination and the specific hydrology of that region . Additionally, impacts from contamination in spawning habitat for populations of anadromous fish could impact the well being of communities and biodiversity that depend on them throughout their entire migratory range .

Page 15 Within the area analyzed, a total of 48 watersheds either contain or are downstream of tailings facilities . Nineteen distinct watersheds contain tailings facilities while an additional 29 watersheds lie downstream of tailings facilities . Nearly one in three watersheds (48 of 165) either contain or lie downstream of tailings pond facilities overall iii.

Ten watersheds contain more than one tailings pond facility, with Murray River (upstream of Fort St . John) containing the most with four . A total of 40 watersheds contain or are downstream of more than one tailings facility, while 25 watersheds contain or are downstream of four or more separate tailings pond facilities, with Twan Creek downstream of the most at nine (including Mount Polley) .

Table 3: Watersheds Containing or Downstream of Tailings Pond Facilities

Tailings Tailings Watershed Mine Names Mine Names Within Upstream Atlin Lake 2 Yellowjacket (2) Babine Lake 3 Bell, Granisle (2) Babine River 3 Bell, Granisle (2) Beaver River 4 Cassiar-McDame, Table Mountain/Cusac (2), Taurus Gold Bulkley River 1 Equity Silver Cheslatta River 2 Huckleberry (2) Coal River 4 Cassiar-McDame, Table Mountain/Cusac (2), Taurus Gold Cottonwood River 7 Endako (3), Huckleberry (2), Pinchi Lake (2) Dease Lake 2 Table Mountain/Cusac (2) Dease River 4 Cassiar-McDame, Table Mountain/Cusac (2), Taurus Gold Dunedin River 4 Cassiar-McDame, Table Mountain/Cusac (2), Taurus Gold Kemess South, Lawyers/Cheni, Mount Milligan, Shasta/Multinational B Finlay Arm 5 & Baker Mill (2) Finlay River 4 Kemess South, Lawyers/Cheni, Shasta/Multinational B & Baker Mill (2) Firesteel River 1 Kemess South Francois Lake 3 Endako (3) Inklin River 1 Golden Bear Iskut River 1 Red Chris Kalum River 4 Bell, Equity Silver, Granisle (2) Kispiox River 4 Bell, Equity Silver, Granisle (2) Kshwan River 1 Red Mountain/Jumbo 1 Premier Gold Project Liard River 4 Cassiar-McDame, Table Mountain/Cusac (2), Taurus Gold Lower Chilako River 7 Endako (3), Huckleberry (2), Pinchi Lake (2) Lower Iskut River 2 Johnny Mountain, Snip 1 Red Chris Lower Nechako Reservoir 2 Huckleberry (2)

iii Watersheds are based on British Columbia’s 1:50,000 Watershed Atlas. Available at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fish/watershed_atlas_maps/ (Accessed April 2015).

Page 16 Table 3 (continued): Watersheds Containing or Downstream of Tailings Pond Facilities

Tailings Tailings Watershed Mine Names Mine Names Within Upstream Bullmoose, Kemess South, Lawyers/Cheni, Mount Milligan, Quintette Lower Peace River 9 (2), Shasta/Multinational B & Baker Mill (2), Wolverine Coal Lower Skeena River 4 Bell, Equity Silver, Granisle (2) Lower Stikine River 3 Johnny Moutain, Red Chris, Snip Cassiar-McDame, Taurus Middle Dease River 2 2 Table Mountain/Cusac (2) Gold Bullmoose, Quintette (2), Murray River 4 Wolverine Coal Narcosli Creek 1 Gibraltar 8 Endako (3), Huckleberry (2), Mount Polley, Pinchi Lake (2) Nation River 1 Mount Milligan Nechako River 5 Endako (3), Huckleberry (2) Kemess South, Lawyers/Cheni, Mount Milligan, Shasta/Multinational B Parsnip Arm 5 & Baker Mill (2) Kemess South, Lawyers/Cheni, Mount Milligan, Shasta/Multinational B Peace Arm 5 & Baker Mill (2) Pine River 4 Bullmoose, Quintette (2), Wolverine Coal Quesnel River 1 Mount Polley Sheslay River 1 Golden Bear Stuart Lake 2 Pinchi Lake (2) Stuart River 2 Pinchi Lake (2) Tabor River 7 Endako (3), Huckleberry (2), Pinchi Lake (2) Lawyers/Cheni, Shasta/ Toodoggone River 3 Multinational B & Baker 1 Kemess South Mill (2) Tutshi River 2 Yellowjacket (2) Twan Creek 9 Endako (3), Gibraltar, Huckleberry (2), Mount Polley, Pinchi Lake (2) Eskay Creek, Premier Gold Unuk River 2 Project Upper Iskut River 1 Red Chris Upper Liard River 4 Cassiar-McDame, Table Mountain/Cusac (2), Taurus Gold Upper Nechako Reservoir 2 Huckleberry (2) Kemess South, Lawyers/Cheni, Mount Milligan, Shasta/Multinational B Upper Peace River 5 & Baker Mill (2)

Page 17 Appendix III: First Nations Communities and Tailings Ponds

First Nations throughout northern British Columbia are well aware of the impacts and threats from mining operations . In many cases, First Nations are provided few of the economic benefits from operations despite being among those most affected in the event of environmental threats and disasters .

Even in cases where Impact Benefit Agreements have been signed with First Nations closest to mines, the health and livelihood of communities further downstream can also be impacted from tailings failures despite receiving little economic benefit from a mine . Many communities are heavily reliant on fish as both a means for sustenance and for economic gain so that negative impacts to fisheries can be a major problem for the community .

Within the area analyzed, nearly two out of three primary First Nations communitiesiv (33 of 53) are located in a watershed either featuring or downstream of tailings pond facilities (17 in watersheds featuring facilities, 16 in watersheds downstream of facilities) . Of these communities, more than nine in ten (31 of 33) are within 20 kilometres of the potential contaminant flow path directly . An additional two First Nations communities (McLeod Lake and Williams Lake) are located in watersheds outside of potential contaminant flow paths but are still within 20 kilometres of a potential contaminant flow path .

iv First Nations communities are based on datasets provided by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Each First Nation point represents its office address as it is registered in Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) or Band Governance Management System (BGMS). When the First Nation office is located outside its associated reserve boundary, adjustments are made to relocate the point within the boundaries of the most populated site (First Nation reserve/settlement/village with the largest population out of all reserves/ settlements/ villages belonging to that First Nation) when applicable.

Page 18 Table 4: First Nations Communities and Watersheds

Tailings in Name Watershed Tailings Upstream Within 20-km Watershed ?Esdilagh First Nation Twan Creek 9 Yes Cheslatta Carrier Francois Lake 3 Yes Dease River Middle Dease River 2 2 Yes Gitanmaax Kispiox River 4 Yes Gitanyow Kispiox River 4 Yes Gitsegukla Kispiox River 4 Yes Gitwangak Kispiox River 4 Yes Hagwilget Village Bulkley River 1 Yes Iskut Upper Iskut River 1 Yes Kispiox Kispiox River 4 Yes Kitselas Kalum River 4 Yes Kitsumkalum Kalum River 4 Yes Kwadacha Toodoggone River 3 1 Yes Lake Babine Francois Lake 3 Yes Lheidli T'enneh Tabor River 7 Yes Lhtako Dene Narcosli Creek 1 8 Yes Moricetown Bulkley River 1 Yes Nadleh Whut’en Nechako River 5 Yes Nak'azdli Stuart Lake 2 Yes Nee-Tahi-Buhn Francois Lake 3 Yes Saik'uz Nechako River 5 Yes Saulteau Upper Peace River 5 No Sik-e-dakh (Glen Vowell) Kispiox River 4 Yes Skin Tyee Francois Lake 3 Yes Stellat'en Francois Lake 3 Yes Taku River Tlingit Atlin Lake 2 Yes Tl'azt'en Stuart Lake 2 Yes Tsay Keh Dene Finlay Arm 5 Yes Ts'il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake) Francois Lake 3 Yes West Moberly Upper Peace River 5 No Wet'suwet'en Francois Lake 3 Yes Xatśūll (Soda Creek) Twan Creek 9 Yes Yekooche Stuart Lake 2 Yes

Page 19 Appendix IV: Settlements and Tailings Ponds

In addition to First Nations communities, more than 200 settlements throughout northern British Columbia are at risk of a potential tailings storage facility failure . Settlements included in this analysis range from medium-sized cities to unincorporated areas with relatively small populations .

Within the area analyzed, 208 additional settlements are located in a watershed in which a tailings facility is embedded or in adjoining downstream watersheds (69 in watersheds in which tailings are embedded, 139 in adjoining watersheds downstream of facilities) . Of these settlements, more than four in five (170 of 208) are within 20 kilometres of the direct potential contaminant flow path . At least 21 additional settlements (including Fort St . John and Williams Lake) are located in watersheds outside of potential contaminant flow paths but are still within 20 kilometres of a potential contaminant flow path .

Of the ten largest population centres within this analysis, two are in a watershed featuring tailings pond facilities (Smithers and Quesnel), two are in watersheds downstream of tailings pond facilities (Prince George and Terrace), and two are located in watersheds outside of potential contaminant flow paths but are still within 20 kilometres of a potential contaminant flow path (Fort St . John and Williams Lake) . Additionally, Prince Rupert is also close to a potential contaminant flow path at 22 kilometres .

Table 5: Settlements and Watersheds

Tailings in Name Watershed Tailings Upstream Within 20-km Watershed Alexandria Narcosli Creek 1 8 Yes Amsbury Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Anyox Kshwan River 1 1 Yes Atlin Atlin Lake 2 Yes Australian Narcosli Creek 1 8 Yes Baldonnel Upper Peace River 5 Yes Baldy Hughes Tabor River 7 Yes Barlow Quesnel River 1 Yes Barrett Bulkley River 1 Yes Basford Tabor River 7 Yes Bear Flat Upper Peace River 5 Yes Beaver Pass House Cottonwood River 7 No Beaverley Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Beryl Prairie Upper Peace River 5 Yes Blessing's Grave Cottonwood River 7 No Bond Pine River 4 Yes Bonnet Hill Tabor River 7 Yes

Page 20 Table 5 (continued): Settlements and Watersheds

Tailings in Name Watershed Tailings Upstream Within 20-km Watershed Braeside Nechako River 5 Yes Briar Ridge Lower Peace River 9 No Bridge Tabor River 7 Yes Buckhorn Tabor River 7 Yes Bulkley Canyon Bulkley River 1 Yes Cassiar Townsite Middle Dease River 2 2 Yes Castle Rock Twan Creek 9 Yes Cedarvale Kalum River 4 Yes Charella Garden Tabor River 7 Yes Cheslatta Cheslatta River 2 Yes Chetwynd Pine River 4 No Cinema Cottonwood River 7 No Clayhurst Lower Peace River 9 Yes Clemretta Francois Lake 3 Yes Coldspring House Cottonwood River 7 Yes Colebank Cottonwood River 7 Yes College Heights Tabor River 7 Yes Colleymount Francois Lake 3 Yes Cottonwood Cottonwood River 7 Yes Cotwood Cottonwood River 7 Yes Crysdale Tabor River 7 Yes Danskin Francois Lake 3 Yes Davidson Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Dawson Creek Lower Peace River 9 No Dokie Pine River 4 No Dokie Siding Pine River 4 No Donald Landing Babine Lake 3 Yes Dorreen Kalum River 4 Yes Dunkley Cottonwood River 7 No East Pine Pine River 4 Yes Encombe Francois Lake 3 Yes Endako Francois Lake 3 Yes Engen Nechako River 5 Yes Engineer Tutshi River 2 Yes Evelyn Bulkley River 1 Yes Exstew Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Finmoore Nechako River 5 Yes Fireside Upper Liard River 4 Yes Flatrock Lower Peace River 9 Yes Foreman Tabor River 7 Yes

Page 21 Table 5 (continued): Settlements and Watersheds

Tailings in Name Watershed Tailings Upstream Within 20-km Watershed Fort Babine Babine Lake 3 Yes Fort Fraser Nechako River 5 Yes Foss Pine River 4 Yes Fraser Tutshi River 2 No Fraserview Tabor River 7 Yes Glenannan Francois Lake 3 Yes Glentanna Bulkley River 1 Yes Goodlow Lower Peace River 9 No Grand Haven Upper Peace River 5 Yes Granisle Babine Lake 3 Yes Grassy Plains Francois Lake 3 Yes Gravelle Ferry Quesnel River 1 Yes Greening Cottonwood River 7 Yes Groundbirch Murray River 4 Yes Gundy Lower Peace River 9 No Halliday Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Hargreaves Twan Creek 9 No Hart Highlands Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Hasler Flat Pine River 4 No Haysport Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Hixon Cottonwood River 7 Yes Houston Bulkley River 1 Yes Houston District Bulkley River 1 Yes Municipality Huble Tabor River 7 Yes Hudson Hope Upper Peace River 5 Yes Hulatt Nechako River 5 Yes Huntington Bulkley River 1 Yes Hutchison Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Hydraulic Quesnel River 1 Yes Hyland Ranch Sheslay River 1 No Iracard Lower Peace River 9 No Isle Pierre Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Kilkerran Lower Peace River 9 No Kitsault Kshwan River 1 1 No Kitselas Kalum River 4 Yes Knockholt Bulkley River 1 Yes Kwinitsa Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Lejac Francois Lake 3 Yes Lemoray Pine River 4 No

Page 22 Table 5 (continued): Settlements and Watersheds

Tailings in Name Watershed Tailings Upstream Within 20-km Watershed Liard Forest Coal River 4 No Likely Quesnel River 1 Yes Log Cabin Tutshi River 2 No Lone Prairie Murray River 4 Yes Lower Post Upper Liard River 4 Yes Macalister Twan Creek 9 Yes Mackenzie Parsnip Arm 5 Yes Mapes Nechako River 5 Yes Marguerite Twan Creek 9 Yes Marilla Upper Nechako Reservoir 2 Yes McCall Nechako River 5 Yes McDame Middle Dease River 2 2 Yes McDonalds Landing Francois Lake 3 Yes Miocene Twan Creek 9 No Miworth Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Monias Pine River 4 Yes Moose Heights Cottonwood River 7 Yes Nechako Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Nichol Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Nichols Tabor River 7 Yes Noralee Francois Lake 3 Yes North Bulkley Bulkley River 1 Yes North Nechako Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Nulki Nechako River 5 Yes Old Fort Babine Lake 3 Yes Old Remo Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Pacific Kalum River 4 Yes Palling Francois Lake 3 Yes Pendleton Bay Babine Lake 3 Yes Perow Bulkley River 1 Yes Pinchi Stuart Lake 2 Yes Pine Valley Pine River 4 No Pinegrove Cottonwood River 7 No Pineview Tabor River 7 Yes Pitman Kalum River 4 Yes Port Essington Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Porter Landing Dease Lake 2 No Pouce Coupe Lower Peace River 9 No Premier Unuk River 2 Yes Prince George Tabor River 7 Yes

Page 23 Table 5 (continued): Settlements and Watersheds

Tailings in Name Watershed Tailings Upstream Within 20-km Watershed Punchaw Lower Chilako River 7 No Quartz Mining Camp Middle Dease River 2 2 Yes Quesnel Quesnel River 1 Yes Quesnel Forks Quesnel River 1 Yes Quick Bulkley River 1 Yes Red Rock Tabor River 7 Yes Refuge d'oiseaux de la Nechako River 5 Yes rivière Nechako Ritchie Kalum River 4 Yes Rolla Lower Peace River 9 No Rosswood Kalum River 4 No Rupert Tutshi River 2 Yes Salvus Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Savory Francois Lake 3 Yes Scotia Bay Atlin Lake 2 Yes Seven Mile Corner Lower Peace River 9 No Shady Valley Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Shames Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Shelley Tabor River 7 Yes Sheraton Francois Lake 3 Yes Sheslay Sheslay River 1 Yes Skeena Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Smithers Bulkley River 1 Yes Smithers Landing Babine Lake 3 Yes South Dawson Lower Peace River 9 No South Fort George Tabor River 7 Yes Southbank Francois Lake 3 Yes Stanley Cottonwood River 7 No Stewart Kshwan River 1 1 Yes Stoner Tabor River 7 Yes Strathnaver Cottonwood River 7 Yes Streatham Upper Nechako Reservoir 2 Yes Sundance Pine River 4 Yes Surprise Atlin Lake 2 Yes Tabor Tabor River 7 Yes Taku Tutshi River 2 Yes Taylor Lower Peace River 9 Yes Teko Lower Peace River 9 Yes Telachick Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Telkwa Bulkley River 1 Yes Terrace Kalum River 4 Yes

Page 24 Table 5 (continued): Settlements and Watersheds

Tailings in Name Watershed Tailings Upstream Within 20-km Watershed Thornhill Kalum River 4 Yes Thunderbird Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Tibbets Francois Lake 3 Yes Tintagel Francois Lake 3 Yes Tomslake Lower Peace River 9 No Topley Bulkley River 1 Yes Topley Landing Babine Lake 3 Yes Tulsequah Inklin River 1 Yes Tumbler Ridge Murray River 4 Yes Tupper Lower Peace River 9 No Twidwell Bend Pine River 4 No Two Mile Bulkley River 1 Yes Tyee Lower Skeena River 4 Yes Urquhart Lower Peace River 9 No Usk Kalum River 4 Yes Valley View Lower Peace River 9 Yes Vanderhoof Nechako River 5 Yes Vanway Tabor River 7 Yes W.A.C. Bennett Dam Peace Arm 5 Yes Wabi Pine River 4 Yes Watson Francois Lake 3 Yes Wedgwood Lower Chilako River 7 Yes Weneez Nechako River 5 Yes White Pass Tutshi River 2 No Wiley Bulkley River 1 Yes Willowvale Nechako River 5 Yes Wingdam Cottonwood River 7 No Wistaria Upper Nechako Reservoir 2 Yes Woodcock Kalum River 4 Yes Woodmere Bulkley River 1 Yes Woodpecker Cottonwood River 7 Yes Worth Upper Peace River 5 Yes

Page 25 Appendix V: Anadromous Fish and Tailings Ponds

Perhaps no subset of species stands the most to lose from potential tailings pond failures than anadromous fish species — primarily various salmon species and steelhead within this geographic range . These migratory species are not only threatened by habitat loss and overfishing, particularly to the south, but they can also be extremely sensitive to contamination .

Copper, a common feature in acid rock drainage (which can occur even without a failure of a tailings facility), can be acutely toxic to adult salmon and steelhead in concentrations in the range of 50 parts per billion,11 while concentrations much lower can reduce the sense of smell, which guides salmon to their spawning grounds, and increase exposure and vulnerability to predators among juveniles 12.

These anadromous fish species are also important to humans (both as subsistence and economic drivers) as well as the broader ecosystem at large (food for bears and other predators and redistributing nutrients into waterways) .

Due to the diversity of spawning grounds among each of the six anadromous fish analyzed, each species features different percentages of their migratory range potentially affected by contaminant flow paths . Additionally, there is a considerable amount of migratory habitat and spawning grounds further upstream of these potential contaminant flow paths . In these stretches of habitat there is no tailings pond facility immediately upstream; however, access to this habitat requires traversing through potential contaminant flow paths further downstream and thus fish spawning in these regions may still be affected .

For instance, 2,575 kilometres of Chinook Salmon habitat lie directly downstream of a tailings pond facility, yet an additional 10,238 kilometres of Chinook Salmon habitat would require traversing through those 2,575 kilometres in order to get there . These two habitats account for an estimated 80 percent of its overall range within the area analyzed .

Page 26 Table 6: Chinook Salmon Habitat

Habitat Length (km) % Downstream of Tailings 2574.98 16 Upstream of Flow Path 10238.20 64 Unaffected Habitat 3218.78 20

Total Potentially Affected 12813.18 80 Total Habitat 16031.96 100

Table 7: Chum Salmon Habitat

Habitat Length (km) % Downstream of Tailings 1228.87 24 Upstream of Flow Path 1206.93 23 Unaffected Habitat 2778.40 53

Total Potentially Affected 2435.80 47 Total Habitat 5214.20 100

Table 8: Coho Salmon Habitat

Habitat Length (km) % Downstream of Tailings 2183.71 15 Upstream of Flow Path 6132.14 42 Unaffected Habitat 6135.81 42

Total Potentially Affected 8315.84 58 Total Habitat 14451.65 100

Page 27 Table 9: Pink Salmon Habitat Habitat Length (km) % Downstream of Tailings 1511.89 23 Upstream of Flow Path 2014.83 30 Unaffected Habitat 3152.71 47

Total Potentially Affected 3526.72 53 Total Habitat 6679.43 100

Table 10: Sockeye Salmon Habitat Habitat Length (km) % Downstream of Tailings 2735.32 25 Upstream of Flow Path 5909.74 54 Unaffected Habitat 2271.87 21

Total Potentially Affected 8645.06 79 Total Habitat 10916.93 100

Table 11: Steelhead Habitat Habitat Length (km) % Downstream of Tailings 1229.43 19 Upstream of Flow Path 3085.18 47 Unaffected Habitat 2185.65 34

Total Potentially Affected 4314.62 66 Total Habitat 6500.27 100

Page 28 Appendix VI: Regional Detail Map Series

Maps 3 through 11 provide a higher level of regional detail from the main analysis map and include labeled names of watersheds, First Nations communities, and smaller cities and settlements.

Pavey

Log Cabin Fraser White Pass

Surprise Skagway Engineer Tutshi River Atlin

TakuYellowjacket River Tlingit

Haines Atlin Lake

Dease Lake

Tulsequah

Inklin River Porter Landing

Juneau Sheslay River

Dease Lake

Cariboo Meadows B R TI SI H C O L U M B AI (C A N A D A ) Golden

Bear Telegraph Creek

A L S A K A (U S A ) Tahltan Glenora Iskut

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

Medium / Large Cities Watersheds Potentially Impacted By Flows Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities Settlements / Communities Hydrologic Flow Paths Below Tailings Storage First Nations’ Communities Facilities and Affected Wetlands and Lakes

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 3

Page 29 YUKON TERRITORY Lower Post

Upper Liard River Beaver River Fireside Cassiar-McDame Dease River Nelson Forks

TaurusDease River Gold Liard River

Cassiar McDame

Table Mountain Cusac Dunedin River

Middle Coal River Dease River

Magnum Mine Boulder City

Red Chris

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 4

Page 30 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Fort Nelson

Steamboat

Kahntah

Prophet River

Trutch

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 5

Page 31 B R TI SI H C O L U M B AI (C A N A D A )

A L S A K A (U S A )

Upper Iskut River

Iskut River

Petersburg Snip

Johnny Mountain Lower Iskut River Eskay Wrangell Creek Unuk River

Granduc Premier Gold Project

Stewart Red Mountain/Jumbo Kshwan River

Ketchikan Anyox

Arrandale

Mill Bay

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 6

Page 32 Hyland Post Lawyers/Cheni Toodoggone River Ware

Kwadacha

Finlay River Shasta/Multinational B & Baker Mill Firesteel River Kemess South McEvoy Flats Tsay Keh Dene

Ingenika Mine

Kuldo

Old Hogem Babine River Bulkley House Germansen Landing

Finlay

Kitsault Arm Takla Lake Kispiox River West Landing Kispiox Sik-e-dakh Gitanyow (Glen Vowell) Nation River New Aiyansh Hazelton Fort Babine Gitanmaax Hagwilget Gitwinksihlkw Babine Lake Laxgalt'sap Gitwangak Bulkley River Bell Cedarvale Gitsegukla Moricetown Smithers Landing Granisle

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 7

Page 33 BRITISH COLUMBIA BRITISH COLUMBIA

Sikanni Chief

ALBERTA ALBERTA

Pink Mountain

Boring Ranch Altona Peejay

Buick Wonowon Beatton Ranch Blueberry River Doig River

Simpson Ranch Rose Prairie Montney Lexau Ranch Halfway River Bear Flat

Fort St.Flatrock John Attachie Upper Peace River Worth Monias Hudson Hope Peace Arm W.A.C. Bennett Dam Willow Valley Saulteau Bond Dawson Creek Foss West Moberly South Dawson Chetwynd Lower Gundy Pine Valley Lone Prairie Peace River Upper Cutbank Lemoray Murray River Parsnip Arm Azu Ski Village Pine River Mackenzie Bullmoose Wolverine Coal

Tumbler Ridge Mount Milligan Quinette McLeod Lake

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 8

Page 34 Port Simpson Lax Kw'alaams

Georgetown Mills Metlakatla

Kwinitsa Prince Rupert Tyee Tow Hill Hunts Inlet Port Essington Old Massett Village Council Delkatla Lewis Island Masset Lower Skeena River Sewall

Port Clements Gitxaala Juskatla Tlell

Lawnhill

Skidegate

Sandspit Queen Charlotte Moresby Camp

Sewell Inlet

Tasu

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 9

Page 35 Granisle Rosswood Granisle Kalum River Pinchi Lake Smithers Topley Landing Grand Rapids Telkwa Babine Lake Tl'azt'en Terrace Bulkley River Kitsumkalum Yekooche Shames Fort St. James Kitselas North Bulkley Palling Nak'azdli Houston Wet'suwet'en Stuart Lake Salvus DuBose Ts’il Kaz Koh Lower Equity Silver (Burns Lake) Skeena Lake Babine Burns River EndakoNadleh Whut’en Lake Fort Fraser Kitimat Francois Lake Skin Tyee Cheslatta Carrier Stellat'en Haisla Nee-Tahi-Buhn Endako Nechako River Weewanie Upper Nechako Reservoir Cheslatta River Marilla Huckleberry Hartley Bay Kemano Lower Gitga'at Nechako Reservoir

Butedale

Lhoosk'uz Dene

Ulkatcho Kimsquit

Kitasoo Ulkatcho

Nuxalk

Heiltsuk

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 10

Page 36 Anzac

Stuart River

Salmon Valley Sinclair Mills Vanderhoof Lheidli T'enneh

Nechako Saik'uz Mapes Prince George Nechako River Lower Chilako Tabor River River

Punchaw Hixon McBride

Strathnaver

Blackwater Cottonwood River

Barkerville Cottonwood

Stanley Quesnel Barlow Nazko Lhtako Dene Gibraltar Narcosli Creek

?Esdilagh Quesnel River Mount Polley

Xatśūll Twan Creek (Soda Creek)

Watersheds Immediately Impacted By Flows Tailings Storage Facilities Originating From Tailings Storage Facilities

First Nations’ Reserves Immediate Impacts To Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Highways Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Upstream From Impacts

Map 11

Page 37 Endnotes

1 . Lee, P ., M . Hanneman, J . Gysbers, and R . Cheng . 2010 . Cumulative access in Canada’s forest ecozones . Global Forest Watch Canada, Edmonton, AB . 2 . Wilson, M .F ., S .M . Gende, and B .H . Marston . 1998 . Fishes and the forest: Expanding perspectives on fish- wildlife interactions . BioScience 48: 455-462 . 3 . BC Hydro . 2011 . Investing For the Future: Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) Project . BC Hydro, Vancouver, BC . 4 . Rhéaume, G ., and M . Caron-Vuotari . 2013 . The Future of Mining in Canada’s North . The Conference Board of Canada, Ottawa, ON . 5 . Independent Expert Engineering Investigation and Review Panel . 2015 . Report on Mount Polley Tailings Storage Facility Breach . Province of British Columbia, Victoria, BC . 6 . Province of British Columbia . 2015 . Government takes action on Independent Panel Recommendations . Province of British Columbia, Victoria, BC . 7 . Independent Expert Engineering Investigation and Review Panel . 2015 . APPENDIX I: Report on Mount Polley Tailings Storage Facility Breach . Province of British Columbia, Victoria, BC . 8 . Vancouver Sun, The . 2014 . 49 Dangerous Occurrences at B .C . Mines . The Vancouver Sun, Vancouver, BC . Available at: http://www .scribd .com/doc/237701788/49-Dangerous-Occurrences-at-B-C-Mines (Accessed April 2015) . 9 . Hatch Ltd . 2015 . Synthesis and Analysis of Submissions to the Chief Inspector’s Orders For Project Management, Engagement and Geotechnical Review of Dam Safety Inspections in BC . Prepared for the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines . Hatch Ltd ., Vancouver, BC . 10 .Kimmel, W .G . 1983 . The impact of acid mine drainage on the stream ecosystem . Pennsylvania Coal: Resources, Technology, and Utilization . Pennsylvania Academic Science Publications: 424-437 . 11 .Chapman, G ., and D . Stevens . 1978 . Acutely lethal levels of cadmium, copper, and zinc to adult male coho salmon and steelhead . Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 107(6):837–840 . 12 .McIntyre, J .K ., D .H . Baldwin, D .A . Beauchamp, and N .L . Scholz .2012 . Low-level copper exposures increase visibility and vulnerability of juvenile coho salmon to cutthroat trout predators . Ecological Applications 22:1460–1471 .

Page 38

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