Fortune Minerals Back in the Spotlight as Protests Target Coal Mine Planned in BC's Sacred Headwaters

HAZELTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 23, 2012) - Last week, junior mining company Fortune Minerals was the target of another public protest in response to its controversial plan to build an open-pit coal mine on Mt Klappan in the heart of an area of British Columbia known as the Sacred Headwaters.

Five protesters gained entry to the "Hard Assets" mining investors' conference in San Francisco carrying a large banner that read, "A Risky Investment: Fortune Minerals. Don't fund social conflict on First Nations Land."

"Our community will be severely impacted as this area is where our cultural activities take place. This project will destroy a way of life for our people if it goes ahead and we have said as a community that it's never going to happen, we will do anything we have to in order to stop this development!" said Iskut Band Chief, Marie Quock.

Quock says Fortune's claims that it is working with the Tahltan First Nation, on whose traditional territory the coal mine is located, are false. In 2006, members of the Tahltan blockaded the main access road. Thirteen Tahltan elders were arrested, putting a stop to Fortune Mineral's exploration program on Mt Klappan.

In September the Tahltan Central Council issued a press release stating, "We want to make it clear that the Klappan area is one of the most sacred and important areas for the Tahltan people. It is a place of tremendous cultural, spiritual, and social importance. It is not an area that the Tahltan people have expressed interest to see developed."

Fortune's mine plan is controversial because Mount Klappan sits at the centre of the Sacred Headwaters, where three of North America's most valuable wild salmon rivers - the Skeena, Stikine and Nass - all originate. Tahltan families have long relied on the area's moose, caribou, and wild salmon for sustenance.

The Sacred Headwaters is also the site of another controversial proposal: a Royal Dutch Shell plan to drill for coalbed methane. In 2008, the B.C. government placed a moratorium on gas drilling after strong opposition from the Tahltan and downstream communities who are opposed to development in this sensitive area.

"We are confident that neither Shell's project nor Fortune Minerals' will go forward," said Shannon McPhail, executive director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition. "We depend on the Sacred Headwaters to help sustain our $110 million wild salmon economy on the Skeena and we're prepared to do what it takes to ensure this important place isn't damaged."

PHOTO AVAILABLE: http://skeenawatershed.com/news/article/fortune_minerals_back_in_the_spotlight_as_protests_target_bc_coal_mine_plan

Contact Information

Marie Quock Chief Iskut Band Council (250) 234-3111

Annita McPhee President Tahltan Central Council (604) 754-9974

Shannon McPhail Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition (250) 842-2494

Defend Our Coast: Pipeline Politics In BC

 I just finished doing media relations work for the Defend Our Coast rallies in Victoria and across BC. Turnout was phenomenal and so was the media coverage.

Here are three stories that I'm really proud to have pitched as part of that work. I think they reflect the depth and breadth of pipeline opposition in BC:

The campaign: Heavy oil weighs in - Pipeline opposition is firming up as parties jockey for position ahead of B.C. election (Vancouver Sun)

Thousands expected to attend legislature pipeline protest Monday (Victoria Times Colonist)

A radio interview with CKNW's The Bill Good Show, featuring Rick Zaleski and Art Sterritt, Executive Director of the Coastal First Nations.

Did you take part in the Defend Our Coast rallies? Share your stories!

 

 

Cover Story: Guardians of the Great Bear Rainforest

I've been waiting for the Fall edition of Input Magazine, and today it's finally out. Input is the official magazine of the Real Estate Institute of BC, and this edition is devoted entirely to pipelines and oil tankers in British Columbia, specifically the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline.

I've been eager to see this edition because an article I wrote with the Gitga'at First Nation, including photos from my recent trip to Hartley Bay, is the cover story, alongside other great articles by economist Robyn Allen, and Opposition House Leader and MP for Skeena - Bulkley Valley, Nathan Cullen.

Enbridge also has a corporate fluff piece in the magazine, extolling the various safety technologies they say would protect our rivers and coastline from a spill, but not surprisingly it glosses over any hint of risk, misrepresents Aboriginal support for the pipeline in BC, and inflates long-term job numbers for the project.

The magazine does a fairly good job of exploring the pipeline and tanker issue, though I would have liked to see more critical coverage of pipeline safety earlier in the magazine. Nonetheless, it's great to see so many voices represented in a single issue, and of course nothing beats beautiful pictures from the Great Bear Rainforest and British Columbia's Pacific North Coast.

You can see our article here, or download the full magazine here. Let me know what you think!

Guardians of the Great Bear Rainforest

I just got back from an incredible trip to Hartley Bay, in the Great Bear Rainforest, home of the Gitga'at Nation. I was there to witness the first territorial patrols of the Gitga'at Guardian, a brand new patrol boat that will be an incredible asset to the Gitga'at as they formalize their authority over the access and use of their territorial lands and waters, encompassing some 7500 square kilometers.

As British Columbians, we should be thankful that such a beautiful place is being watched over by the Gitga’at people, and that they are continuing the commitment of their ancestors to protecting the food chain for future generations - especially in the face of threats like the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tankers project.

The Guardian program provides regular training for members in marine safety, conflict resolution and environmental monitoring. On a typical patrol, the Guardians might record and report suspicious fishing violations to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for follow-up and enforcement, photograph and record whale sightings and sample for environmental contaminants in their shellfish harvesting areas. The program is built on traditional-use knowledge and modern scientific methods to ensure the conservation and sustainability of the Gitga’at food supply.

These are some photos I took on one of the patrols (including the site of the sinking of the Queen of the North), but I was mostly shooting HD video (coming soon), including beautiful shots of Steller Sea Lions and Humpback whales, as well as the Gitga'at Guardians in action.

Media Round-Up: BC Is Not For Sale

That's the message that rang through loud and clear this morning at a standing-room only press conference I helped organize in Vancouver.

Former BC Liberal Leader and Federal Minister of the Environment, David Anderson, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, were joined by municipal and conservation leaders in taking aim at the ill-fated Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, a project they say Premier Christy Clark needs to oppose outright, rather than negotiating conditions that would leave British Columbians at risk of a catastrophic oil spill.

Early TV coverage (watch evening news tonight - GlobalBC, CTV, CBC, CityTV):

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip promises that First Nations will oppose the project at all levels, including through the review panel, the courts, and if need be, on the land:

Summary of print coverage with lot's of syndicated pick-up via The Canadian Press and Postmedia across Canada e.g. Global and Metro News:

Enbridge pipeline not in Canada's best interest: former environment minister Vancouver Sun, The Province, Montreal Gazette - ‎July 30, 2012 Both Clark and opponents of the pipeline agree Alberta stands to gain the lion's share of economic benefits while BC takes on most of the environmental risks. But Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, who heads the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, says Clark needs to ...

BC Premier urged to reject Enbridge and its 'cowboy culture' Globe and Mail - ‎July 30, 2012 Meanwhile, native leader Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, vowed blockades and mass protests against the pipeline, if it receives regulatory approval to proceed. “Our people are prepared to go to the wall against this...

Christy Clark 'missing the point' on Enbridge, opponents say Vancouver Sun - ‎July 30, 2012 First Nations, municipal leaders, conservationists and former BC Liberal leader David Anderson will hold a press conference today denouncing Premier Christy Clark's stance on Enbridge as “missing the point.” Clark's “focus on pipeline money” will be ...

Former environment minister slams Enbridge pipeline plan Globe and Mail - ‎July 30, 2012 Former Environment Minister David Anderson says the BC coast is too fragile for the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to go ahead. Anderson believes Enbridge should not be allowed to construct the pipeline. Subscribe now and get The Globe and Mail the ...

BC Enbridge pipeline critics say money not the issue CBC.ca - ‎July 30, 2012 "Premier Clark is right that we need to stand up to Alberta's aggressive oil agenda, but selling our coast and rivers out from under us is not the way to do it," Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said at a news conference in ...

BC "not for sale" to Enbridge Northern Gateway, say aboriginal and former ... The Vancouver Observer - ‎July 30, 2012 Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. Photo source: Union of BC Indian Chiefs video. The head of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said that selling BC's coast and rivers is not the way Premier Clark should be fighting against ...

Green groups want Premier Clark to 'just say no' News1130 - ‎July 30, 2012 VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Environmental groups want Christy Clark to stop making the Enbridge pipeline about money and just say no to it. They are concerned even if the premier has conditions over safety met, that it still won't make the pipeline safe.

Environmental groups on Enbridge: Just Say No CKNW News Talk 980 - ‎July 30, 2012 That's what several groups holding a morning news conference are telling the Premier when it comes to the proposed Enbridge Gateway pipeline. Josh Paterson with the Westcoast Environmental Law Association says Premier Christy Clark is missing the point ...

More to come.

Education In Action

Students in my Environmental Legislation course at Kwantlen Polytechnic University were recently featured in the Langley Advance newspaper for their efforts to raise awareness about Styrofoam and their advocacy for a province-wide "take back" regulation - all part of a classroom policy project. Part of the course included learning about public engagement and how to write effective press releases. Less than an hour after sending their press release, this group got a call from a local reporter. The students were pleasantly surprised to see their classroom work generate real life outside interest and dialogue about an environmental issue - pretty cool!

Media Round-Up: Oil Spill In The Great Bear Rainforest

Global TV BC (May 3, 2012)

Fuel Slick Raising Concern‎ Opinion250 News (blog) - 6 hours ago By 250 News Hartley Bay, BC- The leadership of the Gitga'at Nation held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss what they see as a failure of the federal government to respond appropriately to an unfolding maritime oil spill in the Great Bear ...

Northern BC oil spill: Coast Guard's alleged 'gone fishing' response sparks ... The Vancouver Observer - ‎14 hours ago‎ Coast Guard staff sent to assess a Northern BC oil spill were caught on video fishing from their boat—a response the Gitga'at Nation says is "disgraceful". An oil spill reported in the Grenville Channel near Hartley Bay, BC this week has the local ...

BC First Nation calls for government action on historic wreck leaking fuel Global Toronto, Global Edmonton, GlobalNews.ca, Global Montreal, 680 News, Global Winnipeg, The Tyee and others - ‎May 2, 2012‎ The Gitga'at Nation of Hartley Bay announced Tuesday that a commercial pilot has reported a fuel slick about 60 metres wide and between 3.2 and eight kilometres long in Grenville Channel, south of Prince Rupert. The area is the final resting place of ...

Cullen says government should be embarassed by Grenville Channel spill Prince Rupert Northern View - ‎May 3, 2012‎ As reported yesterday, members of the Gitga'at Nation of Hartley Bay reported a fuel slick five miles long and 200 feet wide in the waters of Grenville Channel. Today the Coast Guard, who sent a ship from Prince Rupert to respond, said they would be ...

B.C. wreck still leaking fuel: First Nation MetroNews Canada - ‎May 2, 2012‎ The Gitga'at Nation of Hartley Bay announced Tuesday that a commercial pilot has reported a fuel slick about 60 metres wide and between 3.2 and eight kilometres long in Grenville Channel, south of Prince Rupert. The area is the final resting place of ...

Hartley Bay oil spill - a tanker in a tea cup? Opinion250 News (blog) - ‎6 hours ago‎ As Arnold Clifton, from the Gitga'at First Nation, has said, the fuel from the wreck is “still burping stuff up” (Postmedia News, May 3). So, after 66 years, the heavy oil from the US army transport ship has never been cleaned up, other than a couple ...

Shipwreck leaking fuel alarms BC First Nation CBC.ca - ‎May 2, 2012‎ The Gitga'at Nation of Hartley Bay announced Tuesday that a commercial pilot has reported a fuel slick about 60 metres wide and between 3.2 and eight kilometres long in Grenville Channel, south of Prince Rupert. The area is the final resting place of ...

Natives on BC coast haunted by threat from sunken Second World War ship Vancouver Sun - ‎May 2, 2012‎ "I want to see them clean this mess up," Arnold Clifton, chief councillor of the Gitga'at Nation, said in an interview Wednesday. "It's getting pretty bad again." The US transport ship, Brigadier General MG Zalinski, is thought to have carried 700 ...

Coast Guard to hire divers to patch and inspect wreck off BC Coast Globe and Mail - ‎May 2, 2012‎ “It's been ongoing for a while now,” said Arthur Clifton, a fisherman and a councillor with the Gitga'at Nation in Hartley Bay. “It's a big worry – with our shellfish and everything else.” The wreck is in the Grenville Channel, about 40 kilometres ...

Gitga'at Report Oil Spill in Grenville Channel CFTKTV - ‎May 3, 2012‎ The Gitga'at Nation is reporting a large oil spill in Grenville Channel, near Hartley Bay. They estimate the spill as between two and five miles long and 200 feet wide -- and they say the location is near the proposed tanker route for the Enbridge ...

Oil slick from old warship Windsor Star - ‎9 hours ago‎ The Gitga'at First Nation say previous pleas to deal with the wreck were ignored. "We could be looking at serious environmental impacts, including threats to our traditional shellfish harvesting areas," said Arnold Clifton, Gitga'at chief councillor.

Maritime spill deepens opposition to oil tankers bunkerworld (subscription) - ‎16 hours ago‎ In Canada, the leadership of the Gitga'at Nation held an emergency meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss what they consider to be "a failure of the federal government to respond appropriately to an unfolding maritime oil spill in the Great Bear...

BC Coast Oil Spill Points Up Enbridge Pipeline Danger Environment News Service - ‎17 hours ago‎ HARTLEY BAY, British Columbia, Canada, May 3, 2012 (ENS) - The Gitga'at Nation of Hartley Bay has reported an oil spill between two and five miles long in the Grenville Channel, not far from the tanker route for the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway...

Oil slick emerges off BC from long-sunk ship Vancouver Sun, The Province, Ottawa Citizen, Calgary Herald - ‎May 2, 2012‎ The Gitga'at First Nation say previous pleas to deal with the wreck were ignored. "We could be looking at serious environmental impacts, including threats to our traditional shellfish harvesting areas," said Arnold Clifton, Gitga'at chief councillor.

1946 shipwreck haunts Hartley Bay with oil, bombs Victoria Times Colonist - ‎May 3, 2012‎ The slick has sent shivers of apprehension through the Gitga'at First Nation of Hartley Bay, who say previous pleas to deal with the wreck were ignored. "We could be looking at serious environmental impacts, including threats to our traditional ...

Old wreck threatens BC's North Coast Castanet.net - ‎May 2, 2012‎ The Gitga'at Nation of Hartley Bay announced Tuesday that a commercial pilot has reported a fuel slick about 60 metres wide and between 3.2 and eight kilometres long in Grenville Channel, south of Prince Rupert. The area is the final resting place of ...