Policy review says mining impacts on Pacific Northwest salmon underestimated

A science and policy review concludes that mining risks to salmon habitat have been underestimated across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska and British Columbia.

The report discusses the limitations on governance of mining operations and calls for greater transparency to prevent future damages.

The study was written by 23 scientists and policy analysts and published July 1 in the peer-reviewed journal “Science Advances.”

“Despite impact assessments that are intended to evaluate risk and inform mitigation, mines continue to harm salmonid-bearing watersheds via pathways such as toxic conta...