Flathead watershed protected from mineral exploitation

[Alyeska]

The Missoulian

excerpt:
The deal to protect the North Fork of the Flathead from mining and energy exploration got final approval on Tuesday at a gathering in Washington, D.C., with Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester and Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer.

In addition to confirming that The Nature Conservancy and Nature Conservancy of Canada will contribute $9.4 million to reimburse mining company expenses, the gathering also announced plans for Canadian legislation to permanently protect the area.

British Columbia government representatives pledged to enact new mineral and coal land reserve regulations, a Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan, and other guidelines that restrict mining and energy development in the Flathead watershed.

I am estatic about this. I used to live in the Flathead valley (not the same location in the article) and our watershed is primarily Glacier Park and the North Fork which is from the Canadian wildnerness location. The wild life in that region is incredible. And the quality of water we get out of the North Fork is also very good. Its extensively used for irrigation and it affects our lakes. After doing some hiking in the North Fork itself I've come to appreciate the environment up there.

Recent mineral exploration by mining firms on the Canadian side have been a serious concern to those of us living in North Western Montana. We don't have a history of mining or coal and we have an appreciation for the wilderness as it is. We have Glacier Park and the Great Bear Wilderness right there to enjoy. I am absolutely thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement with Canada on this issue. It will protect a vast area and secure things for our future.

[General Trelane (Retired)]

We Canadians have not had a good track record regarding mining and its toxic effluent in that region. While this article is good news, I'd keep my fingers crossed until the pledges actually become law.

[Aaron]

We Canadians have not had a good track record regarding mining and its toxic effluent in that region. While this article is good news, I'd keep my fingers crossed until the pledges actually become law.

Any chance of more info? I'm from B.C. and always saw us as more environmentally aware then other Provinces.

[General Trelane (Retired)]

Any chance of more info?

Certainly. My comment was actually off the cuff and based on remembrances of outcries from Washington residents and municipalities concerned with pollutants in the Columbia River originating from BC mining operations. This made national headlines back in the late '80s and early '90s (if memory serves). A little google-fu reveals that Teck Cominco's smelter at Trail, BC, is the big culprit. The CBC article A Century of Slag provides a summary of the problem though it is a little dated (being from 2003). A more recent 2008 Lexpert article Cross-Border Environmental Litigation provides interesting follow-up to the legal ramifications of this case.

While googling, it also became clear that BC has a big problem with pollution (particularly river acidification) from abandoned mines, but they are trying to remediate those (to varying degrees of success).

I'm from B.C. and always saw us as more environmentally aware then [sic] other Provinces.

And I'm from Alberta and always saw us as less environmentally aware than other provinces.

[Aaron]

Certainly. My comment was actually off the cuff and based on remembrances of outcries from Washington residents and municipalities concerned with pollutants in the Columbia River originating from BC mining operations. This made national headlines back in the late '80s and early '90s (if memory serves). A little google-fu reveals that Teck Cominco's smelter at Trail, BC, is the big culprit. The CBC article A Century of Slag provides a summary of the problem though it is a little dated (being from 2003). A more recent 2008 Lexpert article Cross-Border Environmental Litigation provides interesting follow-up to the legal ramifications of this case.

While googling, it also became clear that BC has a big problem with pollution (particularly river acidification) from abandoned mines, but they are trying to remediate those (to varying degrees of success).

Jesus, what a fucking disaster. Though it makes the issues here with folks being against a new local uranium mine make more sense to me.

And I'm from Alberta and always saw us as less environmentally aware than other provinces.