USA: Celebrate a win for clean water! | Southeast Alaska Conservation Council

----- Forwarded message ----

From: Shannon Donahue, Chilkat Watershed Organizer <info@seacc.org>
Date: Mon, May 4, 2020, 9:28 AM
Subject: Celebrate a win for clean water!
To: 

Liz, The U.S. Supreme Court recently made a decision on County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund that has positive implications all the way up here in the Chilkat Valley, and across the U.S. The decision validates provisions in the Clean Water Act that prohibit polluters from discharging wastewater into the ground if it will have the same effect as dumping straight into our surface waters. This is good news for everyone in the U.S. who depends on clean water — all of us!  In the Chilkat Valley, Constantine Metals has been conducting exploration activities for a proposed mine at the headwaters of the Chilkat Watershed, threatening one of Southeast Alaska's strongest coho and sockeye salmon runs and the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home of the world's largest seasonal bald eagle population. Everyone in the Chilkat Valley depends on the health of this river for subsistence, clean water, and our cultures. Click here to learn more about the proposed mine and how to protect the Chilkat. Last year, SEACC and our partners successfully challenged Constantine's waste management permit, which would allow them to discharge their wastewater into the ground near creeks that flow into the Chilkat, polluting our watershed. The Supreme Court's decision validates our challenge, and will likely cause the Department of Environmental Conservation to suspend or revoke the permit.   In the future, we will need your help as Constantine attempts to take additional steps toward developing the Palmer Mine, but today, let's celebrate! Clean water means healthy watersheds and healthy communities.  We'd like to thank Earthjustice for their hard work pursuing this case. We also extend our gratitude to Chilkat Indian Village, Lynn Canal Conservation, Takshanuk Watershed Council, Rivers without Borders, Alaska Clean Water Advocacy, and all of our allies who have participated in the public process to protect the Chilkat Watershed. We'd also like to personally thank you for supporting our work! Sincerely, Shannon Donahue Upper Lynn Canal Organizer Do you like what you're seeing? Help us protect the Chilkat Watershed and Southeast Alaska with a donation! Thank you for supporting watershed conservation. Support SEACC - Become a member today!          Stay connected with SEACC - Follow us on social media Southeast Alaska Conservation Council · 2207 Jordan Ave, Juneau, AK 99801, United States You can also keep up with Southeast Alaska Conservation Council on Facebook. Created with NationBuilder, software for leaders.