Say No To Cline Coal Mining Project in the Flathead

Hello Friends,

The Elk Valley's history is deeply rooted in the coal mining process and today remains a large part of our economy and tax base. As more people discovered the natural beauty of our valley, tourist dollars began shaping a new look to the sleepy little mining town of Fernie. Condo developments, resort lodges, vacation property development sprouted up and continue to sprout up. Outfitters began operating successful tourist based business that rely on the natural beauty of the area and visitors have responded positively to them. This is a special part of the world, our water is clean, our forests diverse and wildlife is abundant throughout the area, there are few places like it left in the world and it should be treated as such.

The development of our land for recreational property has certainly scarred the landscape of the Elk Valley and will continue to as more dollars flood in from out of province. But with proper care and attention many of these developments could minimize their environmental impact through ecological building options and land use integrity (ie. wildlife corridors etc.) This is something we can visibly monitor and must improve on as a community as we strive towards becoming a more sustainable eco-tourist based economy.

One of the greatest threats our environment currently faces is the extraction of coal and coal bed methane from the upper part of the Elk and Flathead Rivers. Current provincial legislation allows wastewater created from coal bed methane extraction to be released back into the environment. Within this salty wastewater there are traces of both cyanide and ammonia which could have devastating effects on our fishery and personal health.

The Cline mining project in the Flathead will degredate an area of extreme and unique beauty. Areas like these should not be subject to the monetary aspirations of company's who have no interest in our community or the preservation of wildlife. The project will affect the Flathead valley as well as the Wigwam and Lodgepole area due to an open pit mining process and increased traffic from large mining vehicles. And this is no small project, this is a 20 year extraction plan!!!For those of you who have been to this area with us, I would ask you to visit www.wildsight.ca for further information and links on how to voice your concerns regarding this and other issues affecting our area.

"Till taught by pain, men know not water's worth"--Byron