Early this morning, John Frederick posted some useful observations concerning the just-announced call by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office for public comment on the proposed Lodgepole Coal Mine Project. Here are his comments, lightly edited for content. (I love it when someone else does my work for me).
For the last five years or so people have asked me what can they do about the proposed Cline Mining Corporation project in the Flathead of British Columbia, which originally was to be located at the site of an earlier mine project we called the Cabin Creek Mine in the U.S. and more properly known as Sage Creek Coal in Canada. In 1989, the earlier mine at this location at Howell and Cabin Creek was rejected by the International Joint Commission as being unsuitable. Next, Cline moved and started exploration on a mountain top with the idea of removing the mountain top to obtain the coal for their proposed Lodgepole Coal Mine Project. However, Foisey Creek flows down this mountain and any silt finding its way into the creek (for instance from the especially-heavy spring run-off) will go into the North Fork of the Flathead River which is known in British Columbia as the Flathead River.
Now is your chance to write to the British Columbia Office of Environmental Assessment. Be certain to carefully read the announcement. You must give reasons why this mine is bad, not just that you don't like it, or your letter may be ignored. See the Flathead Coalition and NFPA websites for more background.