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The Deadline for Comments has past but still send in those emails as the final decision has not been made. |
Send your emails to: Premier Gordon Campbell: premier@gov.bc.ca Minister John Baird: bairdj@parl.gc.ca Suggested Comments |
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bp exploration deferred until 2009 
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The Flathead Basin Commission applaudes British Columbia for recognizing the unique ecologial values of the Canadian Flathead and what they have done to help protect it. 
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British Petroleum's Mist Mountain Project is at the headwaters of the Flathead Basin
and throughout the Elk Valley.
While
bp said they were taking the Flathead off the plan, the threat remains. Neither the Elk or Flathead watersheds are safe.
The Mist Mountain Project is moving forward and the public comment period offically ends April 21. Overview Maps Mist Mountaian Project Large map. General area. This a general overlay of the project on the Flathead Watershed. |
A mountain top removal coal mine in the Elk Valley. |
 If tenure is granted for bp's CBM proposal hundreds of miles of roads will likely be built. |
Suggested comments to Minister of Environment John Baird:
- Ask the Minister to assess the potential impacts associated with bp's CBM proposal under the Canadian Environmental Assessement Act. - Ask the Minister to obtain 5 years of baseline data PRIOR to any CBM and/or mining activities. - Ask the Minister to prohibit CBM activities and mining in core areas essential for carnivores and fish. - Ask the Minister to prohibit CBM and mining until it can be conclusively demonstrated that polluted waters from such operations will not enter U.S. waters. |
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Fernie City Council passed the following resolution in regards to the ongoing BP tenure referral in the Crowsnest Coalfield, which spans the Elk and Flathead watersheds. The resolution is a powerfully worded expression of the local opposition to BP's proposed Mist Mountain coalbed methane project by our neighbors in British Columbia.
The passage of this resolution followed one of the largest public protests in the history of Fernie last Saturday. Over 300 people marched on the streets of Fernie (to put this in perspective the population of Fernie is roughly 5,000 people) as part of a BP good-bye demonstration. To view video footage of the protest go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uZ8CFgRR5U It is quite impressive. Due to strong pressure from Senator Baucus, BP America stated in writing on April 2nd that the referral process does not include the Flathead Watershed; however, statements from BP Canada officials have repeatedly expressed BP's continued interest in the Flathead. Just as importantly, BP has failed to acknowledge the environmental sensitivities of the North Fork of the Flathead and Glacier National Park. Hopefully the strong opposition of British Columbians and Montanans regarding the harmful impacts of coalbed methane in both the Elk and Flathead watersheds will force BP and the Province of British Columbia to abandon this project in its entirety.
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The City of Fernie and Fernie residents rally against BP's proposed Mist Mountain Project
April 14, 2008 Whereas: The people of Fernie have expressed their overwhelming objection to the granting of tenure to BP Canada for the exploration of Coal Bed Methane in the Crowsnest Coalfield and; Whereas BP Canada has not demonstrated a willingness to work with the community in a transparent manner nor fully engage in meaningful dialogue and has ignored repeated requests from representatives of the City to engage the community more pro-actively and; Whereas there are considerable unknowns with respect to the short-term and long-term impacts on the environment, the economy and the human community of the Elk Valley and that the Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas has indicated that Coal Bed Gas development has never been conducted in a rugged, mountainous, geologically fractured environment such as the Crowsnest Coalfield and; Whereas the City of Fernie feels that Coal Bed Gas development is inconsistent with the leadership position of the Province with respect to the environment and climate change and will impact the Fernie area's ability to grow the tourism economy and support the Province's stated objectives of doubling tourism revenue by 2015; Therefore, be it resolved that the City of Fernie express its opposition to the granting of tenure to BP Canada and the Province of British Columbia be requested to deny tenure to BP Canada for the exploration of Coal Bed Methane in the Crowsnest Coalfield and; Be it further resolved that: Should the Province disregard the objections of the City of Fernie and its citizens that BP Canada be instructed to consult with the City of Fernie and the citizens of Fernie and interested parties to agree to appropriate terms and conditions for all phases of Coal Bed Gas exploration and development in the Crowsnest Coalfield. |
| *Tenure will give British Petroleum the right to start its CBM exploratory operations. |
| © 2008 Flathead Basin Commission |
