From the Sunday, December 23, 2007 online edition of the Missoulian . . .

A Canadian scientist has concluded coal mine development north of Glacier National Park would spell migratory trouble for the big mammals that seasonally move through the region.

Researcher John Weaver presented his findings at a meeting last week in Kalispell.

“What really has become clear is the need to protect the Flathead for large and mid-sized carnivores,” responded Rich Moy. “Many of these species need secure habitat areas for survival and conductivity zones for moving from place to place across the border.”

Moy is chief of the state’s Water Management Bureau and chairs the Flathead Basin Commission, a multi-agency group convened 25 years ago by the state to monitor and protect the Flathead’s water quality.

Since its inception, the group has been concerned about possible upstream energy development and has opposed Canadian proposals to extract coal and coalbed methane from southeastern British Columbia.

On Thursday, they heard from Weaver, a scientist for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and Moy called the presentation “very important and compelling.”

Weaver, considered an internationally renowned wildlife biologist, has for years been studying the Canadian Flathead, just north of Glacier Park. The river drainage spills south across the border, forming the park’s western boundary before flowing into Flathead Lake.

Read the entire article . . .