Last Thursday, June 25, the third and final public meeting about the Glacier/Howser River Diversion Project (IPP) was held in Invermere. The meeting and rally attracted 120 residents. Two meetings were also held in the West Kootenay last week—with the Kaslo meeting attracting more than a thousand people.

“It was very emotional, and a good-sized turn out considering it was Grad night,” said Ron Clarke, president of Wildsight’s Invermere branch. “I don’t recall a single person speaking in the project’s favour.”

The project in question is, of course, the controversial Glacier/Howser independent power scheme, which, as planned, is not a classic “run-of-the-river” project but an actual diversion of the lower reaches of five West Kootenay creeks. It would also include punching 92 kilometres of new roads and transmission lines across protected areas in the Purcells to Invermere. Affected areas would include Stockdale and Horsethief creek drainages and their old growth forests.

Invermere, Golden and area residents turned out at 5:30 to go on the record as opposed to the project. They rallied through downtown Invermere, carrying signs and chanting “Our rivers, our power, our choice.” At 7 pm they moved inside the Invermere Community Centre for the open house meeting, hosted by project proponent Axor Power Inc. (“Purcell Green Power”), and the BC Environmental Assessment Office.

“During the meeting, the audience universally condemned the proponent and government representatives for their often oblique and evasive responses to heartfelt questions and criticism,” Clarke said. “From a 14-year old girl, reduced to tears by wondering what would be left of her wilderness, to an elderly man pleading for the salvation of his natural places, the comments were polite but heartfelt.”

The controversial Glacier Howser River Diversion Proposal was rejected by the Province last year, but Axor reapplied this year and has made it to the second round, an Environmental Assessment (EA).

Clarke’s main concern, and that of several other groups, such as the Council of Canadians, is the seemingly undemocratic process of the environmental assessment. “There was a feeling of frustration,” he said, “that the open house was really just window dressing. After all, Bill 30 has removed any power from regional districts, and we know from observing over time that once a project hits the EA office, it’s practically a slam dunk in favour of the proponent.”

Trevor Hamre, president of the Golden branch of the Council of Canadians said the main sentiment he heard expressed was: “Our rivers are not for sale.” He hoped the message would get through, and noted that there is still time to comment in writing about the proposal to the BC Environmental Assessment Office. (The deadline for submissions is July 27—you can e-mail them to Glacier.Howser@gov.bc.ca; Attention, Garry Alexander.)

Clarke said he had to laugh when Hamre asked an Axor representative, “What will it cost to get you to go away?”

“This project is not green, it’s not needed, and it’s not wanted,” Clarke said. “That’s the message we sent in Invermere and the message that people sent in Kaslo and in Meadow Creek. Now we’ll see if the government responds in a meaningful way. I certainly hope they do.”

About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada’s Columbia and southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca.

Contact:
Ron Clarke, Wildsight Invermere branch president
403-660-6343 cell 250-342-3039 h. • rvclarke@shaw.ca

In a recent article in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice says that Americans have raised the issue of future development in the Flathead to UNESCO as well as the proposed national park. It appears there is some confusion about where the concerns surrounding the future of the Flathead are coming from, and exactly what those concerns are.

The fact of the matter is that it is not “the Americans” who have brought this issue to UNESCO, it is a coalition of eleven leading environmental organisations, 8 of them Canadian, that have petitioned the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to designate the Waterton-Glacier World Heritage site as “In Danger.”

Our concerns are that British Columbia’s land use plans prioritize mining and energy development in the headwaters of a World Heritage river. Our petition makes no mention of the proposed national park expansion.

I grew up in the East Kootenay and I am not an American. I will be attending the World Heritage Committee meetings in Seville Spain from June 22nd to 30th as the Canadian representative of the eleven environmental groups who have submitted this petition.

You can find more information on the petition and follow this story as it develops at www.savewatertonglacier.com

Ryland Nelson

 The Board of Directors of Trans Canada Trail (TCT) applauded the initiative of the BC and Alberta governments to support a new recreational trail running from Fernie, BC to Banff, Alberta. The new trail, when developed, will form an important part of the Trans Canada Trail and will finally close a 250-kilometre gap on the Trail between the two provinces.

“This is one of the most spectacular sections of the Rocky Mountains and will be a major tourist draw,” said Deborah Apps, TCT President and CEO. “This will be a destination trail and one of the major highlights on the Trans Canada Trail. We look forward to working with the BC and Alberta government representatives, provincial and local trail groups, and Elk Valley Coal and Tembec which have land use rights in the area, to help move forward with this trail as quickly as possible.”

Building a recreational trail through this area has been a goal of local trail groups and Trans Canada Trail for almost a decade. There have been extensive discussions over the years with the two governments, landowners and the coal company about the feasibility of the Trans Canada Trail going through the area.

Last July, a group of 40 people including senior BC tourism officials, coal company managers, Trans Canada Trail staff, Trails BC and Alberta TrailNet officials and other trail stakeholders took part in a 4-day cycling trip across the Rockies to explore the area and consider a possible route for the Trail. The arduous trek began in Elkford, crossed Elk Pass then ascended through Kananaskis Country to Banff.

Al Skucas, President of Trails BC and the organizer of the trip, said it was a real success in building support for the Fernie to Banff trail. “This trip confirmed to all the participants the importance of determining a route for the Trans Canada Trail through the area, given its magnificent landscape and breathtaking views.”

Peter Barr, President of Alberta TrailNet, said, “The announcement is a cause for celebration not only for the trail groups and communities that are involved today but for the many Canadians and international visitors who will use this trail in the future. We hope to see a world class cycling trail, suitable for families and friends who want to connect with nature and share one of the most spectacular experiences of a lifetime.”

The Fernie Gateway Project is a collaborative partnership between the Rocky Mountain Grizzly Centre, the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, the Fernie Derrick Society and the City of Fernie.

The goal of this joint venture is to create an attraction-type facility, that houses the Phase I home of the Rocky Mountain Grizzly Centre to further the goals and objectives of scientific research and interpretive programs; a permanent location for the historical wooden oil derrick with an upgraded and enhanced interpretive display; provides a welcoming atmosphere which will enhance the visitor experience with upgraded and expanded Visitor Information Facilities and Visitor Services programs, in an effort to increase tourism visitations and enhance the eastern gateway to the City of Fernie, the East Kootenay and British Columbia.
The final product will be an outstanding landmark that characterizes the entrance to the Fernie, and a draw for the traveling public, and a center of excellence for grizzly research and interpretive educational programming, and a positive demonstration of the Fine Balance that can be achieved between nature and the environment, and development and industry.

The Fernie Gateway Project was officially launched on May 30 with a preview of the project concept drawings by design architect Nic Vale of Lablonde Partnership.  The Lablonde Partnership designed the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site facility at Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump in Fort McLeod, Alberta, as well as the Tourism Alberta Visitor Centre at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Thank you to all who came out to support the project launch. A project of this magnitude would not be possible without the generous support of the community.   One of the fundraising proponents of the evening was the unveiling of the Gateway Project Landscape Mural with various landscape elements available for sponsorship.  BP Energy Canada sponsored the oil derrick and Elk River elements, while the IGS Group sponsored the Black Bear, and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored the Grizzly Bear.  Other sponsored elements include two hikers, and two coal cars. There are still a number of elements available for sponsorship. Interested individuals are asked to call the Fernie Chamber of Commerce for more information.
The May 30 event was made possible by the generous support of Park Place Lodge, Packhorses Creek Outfitters, Red Tree Lodge and Restaurant, Island Lake Lodge and the Old Elevator Restaurant and Charlie Russell.
The silent auction, which includes 4 unique and exciting items, will close on Thursday, June 11 at 3:30 p.m.  For more information about how you can bid on these items, call the Fernie Chamber of Commerce.
A special thank you to renowned Grizzly expert Charlie Russell for his passion and commitment to the Grizzly Bear and to this project.
The May 30 event raised $13,400.
The Fernie Gateway Project is hosting a public reception and information session on Thursday, June 11 at 3 p.m. at the Fernie Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Centre for anyone interested in viewing the project concept design drawings and learning more about this exciting and worthwhile project

For more information, please contact the Fernie Chamber of Commerce at 250-423-6868.
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More information contact Project Coordinators:
Lynn Flokstra, Manager Fernie Chamber of Commerce 250-423-6868
Bernie Palmer, Executive Director Rocky Mountain Grizzly Centre 250-423-6693

The Flathead Coalition announced today that its internal evaluation of BP-Canada Energy Company’s environmental science demonstrates bias toward understating the likely environmental impact of its proposed Mist Mountain CBM project.

The Mist Mountain CBM project is being planned by BP-Canada for the Crowsnest Coalfield area that spans the Elk River and Flathead River hydrologic divide.  The B.C. government granted tenure last December for the Elk Valley portions of the coalfield.  BP says it plans to start exploratory drilling in early 2010, though it may commence sooner.

“The problem with BP’s science can be stated matter of factly,” said David Hadden, president of the bi-national Flathead Coalition.  “BP’s science will not establish baseline environmental conditions over the project area, it actually has missed important Canadian Species At Risk Act-listed and U.S. Endangered Species Act-listed species, does not take in to consideration the potential impacts on internationally significant Waterton and Glacier parks, both World Heritage Sites, and fails to address cumulative effects from a sprawling network of industrial activity.  BP’s inadequate science program will inevitably lead them to underestimate the short and long-term impacts of their large-scale project to the fish, wildlife and water of the region.”

According to Hadden, these shortcomings are in addition to the unscientific practice of the province that allows companies to conduct their own environmental evaluation and assessment.

“The provincial government’s policy is akin to letting the fox examine the hen house before a raid,” said Hadden.   “The practice leads to inherent scientific bias that leads in turn to missed information and eventually and likely to greater environmental harm.  Any high school graduate knows that science must control for bias. B.C. policy widely misses the mark.”

Perhaps most serious, according to Hadden, is the government’s refusal to join with Montana and the U.S. government scientists to conduct joint science in this transboundary region.

“The International Joint Commission has established along the entire Canadian - U.S. line the priority and need for bi-national fact finding for projects affecting international watersheds.  The B.C. government is missing its responsibility in this regard,” cited Hadden.

The Mist Mountain Project has been controversial in both the Elk and Flathead Valleys because of perceived and likely adverse environmental impacts to water quality and wildlife.

The Flathead Coalition has monitored energy and mining proposals in the transboundary Flathead since 1975.