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7th March 2019
EDITOR
Did you know coal mining isn't just a thing of the past in BC? As I write this, active mines are polluting rivers in the Elk Valley.

And did you know our government is currently considering allowing new mines and the expansion of existing polluting coal mining operations?

The Elk Valley, located in Ktunaxa ?amak?is (Territory) in BC’s southern Rocky Mountains is home to vibrant, biodiverse and critically important wildlife landscapes. The larger region includes the spectacular Flathead Valley, which provides critical habitat for grizzly bears, moose and wolverines.

And right now, the Elk Valley coal operations of global giant Teck Resources are releasing toxic waste into local drinking water and world class fly fishing streams.

This waste will continue to leach hazardous substances like selenium into rivers for centuries. This is causing birth defects in birds like the American dipper and deformities in westslope cutthroat trout, a federally-listed species of concern.

Instead of putting a halt to mining operations until these pollution problems are brought under control for the long term, the BC government continues to give mining companies a free pass. What’s more, there are proposals for new mines and mine expansions being reviewed as we speak!

This is unacceptable. Please let the BC government know you expect no new mines or mine expansions in the Elk Valley until pollution is brought under control.


Say no to new coal mines
https://sierraclub.bc.ca/no-new-coal-mines/?utm_source=Sierra+Club+BC+Email+Subscribers&utm_campaign=f5a7e01919-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_28_11_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bfb6e7f3fb-f5a7e01919-96840285

BC’s Auditor General recently found a decade of neglect in compliance and enforcement within the Ministry of Energy and Mines and significant deficiencies within the Ministry of Environment that have made their efforts inadequate to protect the province from significant environmental risks.

The extractive Wild West mentality of unlimited resource exploitation surges on today. But right now, we have a chance to keep it from expanding even further.

Please help protect community drinking water, fish and birds for generations to come.

Send a letter today calling for no new mines in the Elk Valley.

Together we can stand up for water in the face of global mining corporation interests.

In solidarity,

Mark Worthing

Conservation and Climate Campaigner
Sierra Club BC

PS. No matter where you live in BC, we all depend on clean water and healthy watersheds. Please show you expect our government to make responsible decisions to protect river systems in our province. Please sign now