Aboriginal groups on both sides of the Canada – US border are celebrating after Imperial Metals caved to pressure.
Imperial surrendered its claims in a BC watershed because of serious backlash towards attempts to acquire mineral exploration and development permits.
A 24-million-dollar deal has been reached between the BC Government and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission to return all of their mineral rights in the Silverdaisy Watershed, also known as the Skagit River Donut Hole.
Environmental groups in Washington State and BC say the 58 square kilometer watershed is a critical corridor for salmon, steelhead and bull trout, and a habitat for grizzly bears and the endangered spotted owl.
According to Victoria, officials will begin First Nations consultations on the future of the site soon.
One group that would like to be part of the consultations is the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, who applauded the decision by imperial.
The Union joined the others three years ago in raising their collective voices against what they saw as destructive mining practices by Imperial that would have devastated the Skagit Valley.
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