The state of Alaska has taken the rare step of asking the Canadian government for greater involvement in the approval and regulation of a controversial mine in northwestern British Columbia amid growing concern that the project could threaten American rivers and fish.

Alaska's Department of Natural Resources outlined its request in a letter this week to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, which has been reviewing the proposed KSM gold and copper mine, owned by Seabridge Gold Inc. The project has already been approved by B.C.

"The state of Alaska has important obligations to our citizens relating to the protection of fish, wildlife, waters and lands that we hold in trust," says the state's letter, signed by three senior bureaucrats.

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They request in the letter that the state beadvertisement

The KSM project would be located near the Unuk River system, which also flows into Alaska, though its tailings facility would be in the Nass River watershed, which empties into the Pacific Ocean in B.C.

While the tailings facility won't be located near the Unuk, treated effluent is expected to be discharged into the river.

Critics of the KSM mine in Alaska have called for the Canadian Environment Minister to refer the project to a more detailed process known as a panel review, which was used to evaluate the failed New Prosperity mine in central B.C. before the federal government rejected it.

In its letter, the state of Alaska does not take a position on whether a panel review is necessary.

"This letter includes the state's request that you carefully consider the