Alaska’s only congressional representative is insisting on that the government of America be more proactive on the watersheds that cross borders that run through Southeast Alaska.
The United States and Canada share many watersheds in Alaska as well as those in the Lower 48. In 1909, both countries reached an agreement to collaborate and share the management of their watersheds via the Boundary Waters Treaty, which is managed through the International Joint Commission. However, while the commission has over a dozen permanent boards to monitor specific watershed issues throughout northwestern United States, it doesn’t have a standing board for Southeast Alaska.
In a press conference on Monday Rep. Mary Peltola has announced her support for creation of an international watershed body that would bring together all stakeholders from Southeast Alaska, British Columbia as well as British Columbia and the U.S. and Canadian federal governments. This would be a significant step toward satisfying the long-standing demands of municipal and tribal governments across Southeast Alaska for a more transparent and cooperative watershed management since exploration for minerals in B.C. expands along major transboundary rivers.
KSK’s Sage Smiley spoke to Peltola about the reasons she voted for a formal international system. She explains that it is due to the widespread support of Southeast tribes and tribal communities.
Listen:
You can read a transcript of this interview (the text has been lightly edited to improve the clarity):
Sage SmileyTo first, let me say that you’ve announced that you support an international watershed organization. So far as I know this is a first in Alaska’s delegation to Congress which is why you decided to endorse an international watershed board in Southeast Alaska specifically?
Mary PeltolaWell I believe that the people of Southeast Alaska have been asking for this since a while – as both Native community as well as the non-Natives have been asking for accountability and oversight of transboundary water issues for more than a decade, or more. This is why I believed it was imperative to declare my complete support for this project since there is such broad support for this in Southeast Alaska. I’ve not met anyone in Alaskans who don’t the support of having the commission overseeing it. This is something Congressman Don Young supported. I’m not sure what kind of the front he was on that but Congressman Young did vote in favor of this.
Sage SmileyWhy do you think this is important to you? What could this accomplish that isn’t already done through the mere existence of IJC (International Joint Commission) for instance?
Mary Peltola There are councils for watersheds that exist in different states of the country with borders with Canada I believe there are watershed councils that are located in Idaho and Montana I believe there are more. It’s not an official process for having an transboundary watershed group like this. Therefore, we must make sure that I am confident that there exists the political will among people of the Southeast however we have to ensure that the people in positions of policy and elected positions know that there’s a political will and then see that translate into the elected or appointed official the same type of political will.
Sage SmileyThis isn’t the only region that has transboundary watersheds within Alaska What is the reason Southeast especially for specific support by an international body for watersheds?
Mary PeltolaBecause the community has so an abundance of political will within the fishing communities, as well as among fishermen and the those who are involved themselves. It is truly an issue that is driven by stakeholder groups; this has been a grassroots endeavor for quite a while. This is why I am responding to those who are from Southeast Alaska who have been waiting for this for a long time.
Sage SmileyThere’s no limit to the amount there is that the members from Congress or anyone else — including local governments of boroughs within Southeast Alaska — can do to address this issue. But what happens next? If you’re in favor of this group — What happens next? What else to help those living in Southeast Alaska do to continue in support of this process?
Mary PeltolaI consider it our responsibility, as Alaskans to let the world know that our livelihoods and communities are in danger. It is also important to ensure that our neighbors include us in their decision-making in Canada. At present, they’re not taking us into consideration and aren’t engaged in a meaningful debate. There are some responses which suggest they are open however, they then diminish and disappear. In my opinion, it’s crucial to communicate directly to State Department, the United States State Department to assist us. They’ve not been proactive regardless of the administration we’re under. And I’m going to communicate my support for the Watershed Board strongly to our State Department and Canadian federal and provincial counterparts. It is true that the Boundary Waters Treaty was signed in 1909, and the procedure has been recognized in international legal terms for over a century. However, we’re not seeing it being implemented into Southeast Alaska at the ground or at the surface.
Sage SmileyIs any other information you’d like to say about the support you have for this extra procedure to include Alaskans and those who live who live across the border from Canada in this watershed management procedure?
Mary PeltolaI simply want to be clear that I think that the support for this is highly strong across all stakeholder groups in Southeast Alaska. We’re all together as Alaskans on this issue and when we do reach a consensus on a broad basis and we can work with one another and working to ensure that our waters are protected as well as our watersheds. As Alaskans are, there’s no thing more significant to us that our watersheds and ecosystems. And we’re ready to defend our watersheds and ensure that they’re safeguarded across the border when there are issues that could impact us on the other side. We’re a very unifying front and we would like to make progress on this issue collectively.
Sage SmileyThank all of you for your comments with me today I truly would like to thank you for it.
Mary PeltolaThank You, Sage.
