(The following press release contains the full text of the letter sent by U.S. Senator Max Baucus to B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell on March 10, 2005 addressing trans-boundary water quality concerns in the Flathead Basin. See this entry for a related news article.)
Baucus Extends Olive Branch to BC Premier Following Fernie Trip
Senator Invites Canadians To The Table To Work Together On Coal Mine Dispute
-For Immediate Release-
Contact Barrett Kaiser (406) 670 -04541
*Eds - Montana Senator Max Baucus sent the following letter today to the
Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell. The Senator is also trying
to reach the premier via telephone.
March 10, 2005
Honorable Gordon Campbell
Premier, Province of British Columbia
P.O. Box 9041, Station Provincial Government
Victoria, British Columbia V8W9EI
Canada
Dear Premier Campbell:
As you may know, the Flathead Basin Commission (FBC) recently asked that I assist them in building a solid base of information on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border that can be used to guide resource-management decisions in and around the Flathead Basin. To that end, the FBC has asked me to contact the United States Department of State (State Department) and make two formal requests: 1) that the International Joint Commission (IJC) conduct a baseline assessment of the Flathead Basin in British Columbia and, 2) that the IJC facilitate a process to implement the IJC's third recommendation in its 1988 report to governments entitled, Impacts of a Proposed Coal Mine in the Flathead River Basin.
Before I take formal action on the requests made of me, I would first appreciate your guidance and input. My highest interest is to ensure that we find mutually beneficial solutions that serve the best interests of the Flathead Basin in both Canada and the U.S., including our crown jewels Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Parks. Our actions should also enhance recreation, tourism and economic development values on both sides of the border.
Specifically, the FBC has asked me to urge the U.S. Department of State, along with External Affairs Canada, to request that the IJC:
1. Create a bi-national board to prepare a comprehensive baseline assessment of the trans-boundary Flathead Basin shared by Montana and British Columbia that would guide future land and water management and development decisions, and also serve as a means to predict future impacts caused by specific projects.
2. Facilitate a process to implement the IJC's third recommendation in its 1988 report on the Flathead Basin in British Columbia. The outcome of this process should provide economic opportunities for both British Columbia and Montana, while at the same time protect the amenities within the Flathead River Basin of British Columbia and the integrity of Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in the United States.
I am inclined to forward the Commission's recommendation to appropriate agencies in both our countries. These are reasonable requests based on past international precedent.
In 1985, the IJC commissioned bi-national professional teams of Canadians and Americans to assess the impacts of a proposed coalmine in the Flathead River Basin of British Columbia. In 1988, after much review, the IJC unanimously recommended to the U.S. and Canada that "the governments consider, with the appropriate jurisdictions, opportunities for defining and implementing compatible, equitable and sustainable development activities and management strategies in the upper Flathead River basin." This is the third recommendation in the 1988 IJC Report on the Flathead Basin.
Since 1988, all five Montana governors have pursued the implementation of the above IJC recommendation in concert with British Columbia, but without success.
Additionally, the FBC has informed me that British Columbia government officials have acknowledged in several recent instances that they lack fundamental baseline data about impacts to fish, wildlife and waters from coalfield development. The FBC believes that gathering such data is essential before any development is initiated.
However, despite this lack of fundamental data, it has been brought to my attention that road construction and excavation recently began in the Foisey Creek headwaters of the North Fork of the Flathead Valley, in preparation for exploratory coal mining. Additionally, it is my understanding that the Province of British Columbia has announced its intention to initiate additional new coal mining in the federal Dominion Coal Block, which includes more than 15,000 acres in the Flathead Valley.
Premier Campbell, in September of 2003, you and former Montana Governor Judy Martz signed an Environmental Cooperation Arrangement that calls for "the Province of British Columbia and State of Montana undertake to establish the British Columbia/Montana Environmental Cooperation Initiative to identify, coordinate and promote mutual efforts to ensure the protection, conservation and enhancement of our shared environment for the benefit of current and future generations."
In the spirit of the agreement you signed with Governor Martz and despite the fact that there appears to be imminent resource development activity in the Flathead Basin, I ask that you work together with me and all other interested parties in seeking the information and data that would lead to activities that benefit both our countries and protect both of our precious natural resources.
Premier Campbell I look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance your guidance on this matter.
Please feel free to contact me directly at my office in Washington, DC.
My best personal regards,
I am sincerely,
Max Baucus
cc: Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer