News Release
Governor Martz Expresses Environmental Concerns in Flathead
5/7/2004
Kris Goss
406-444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
Development Plan
HELENA - Governor Judy Martz today requested both the International
Joint
Commission and Premier Gordon Campbell of British Columbia to carefully
consider the environmental impacts stemming from Canadian plans to open
a
coal mine and begin coal bed methane development in the Flathead River
Basin. Governor Martz asked the International Joint Commission, the
body
that governs waterways that flow between the United States and Canada,
to
review the cumulative impact of the activated Sage Creek Mine and
proposed
coal bed methane drilling in the Flathead River Drainage of British
Columbia
and Montana. Governor Martz notified Premier Campbell of this request
and
asked that he defer the projects until the assessment can be completed.
The full text of the letters to Premier Campbell and the International
Joint
Commission is attached.
*************************************
May 13, 2004
The Honorable Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC
CANADA V8V 1X4
Dear Premier Campbell:
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take this opportunity to
notify you that I have requested the International Joint Commission
(IJC)
assess the cumulative impact of the activated Sage Creek coal mine and
proposed coal bed methane drilling in the Flathead drainage of British
Columbia and Montana.
I think this request meets the spirit of cooperation outlined in the
Environmental Cooperation Arrangement that we co-signed last September
at
the Western Governors Association/Western Premiers meeting that I
hosted at
Big Sky, Montana.
As you recall, it states that we are "to identify, coordinate an promote
mutual efforts to ensure the protection, conservation and enhancement
of our
shared environment for the benefit of current and future generations."
The
governments of the United States, and Montana have been working toward
that
end in the Flathead drainage since 1910 when Glacier National Park was
established.
Specifically, I ask that the IJC examine the affects on water quality,
water
uses, and many special designations throughout the region. As a result,
I am
humbly requesting that you defer permitting these projects until after
the
IJC has had an opportunity to complete its review and assessment.
The Flathead River Basin in the United States has received more
protection
for its natural amenities than any other area in the continental United
States. The river encompasses Glacier National Park, has been
designated as
a wild and scenic river, is home to a number of federally listed
endangered
species, has been selected as a World Heritage Site Biosphere Reserve,
and
is the crown jewel of the Waterton Lakes/Glacier International Peace
Park
that celebrates the good will between Canada and the United States.
As you know, the North Fork of the Flathead River has been classified to
have very high water quality value and is protected with a strict
non-degradation standard under the state of Montana law. The river
holds a
diverse and abundant predator and prey species that is unmatched almost
anywhere in North America. A number of these species reproduce and spend
their summers in the British Columbia portion of the Flathead and then
migrate across the border to winter in the United States.
It is important to note that the IJC invoked Article IV of the 1909
Boundary
Waters Treaty in its decision to recommend against the proposed Cabin
Creek
coal mine. Article IV states "that waters flowing across the boundary
shall
not be polluted on either side to the injury of health and property of
the
other." This recommendation was based on the projected impacts that the
Cabin Creek coal mine would have on the waters, fishery and the many
special
designations on our side of the border.
As you know, I am a strong believer in the sovereignty of governments
and
that each government must do what is in its best interest in developing
and
using its resources. But, I also believe that these activities cannot
impact
other governments' preservation strategies, natural resources and
way-of-life.
In summary, I would hope that you would defer actions on these projects
and
grant my request to work with us and the IJC in assessing the potential
cumulative impacts of these new projects at the international border and
downstream in the United States
At you convenience, I would be happy to meet with you on this important
issue. If you have any questions, please contact Rich Moy at
406-444-6633.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
JUDY MARTZ
Governor
c:
Senator Conrad Burns
Senator Max Baucus
Representative Rehberg
Dennis Schornack, U.S. Co-chair, International Joint Commission
Bud Clinch, Director, DNRC
Flathead Basin Commission
*******************************
May 13, 2004
The Rt. Honorable Herb Gray, P.C.,C.C., O.C.
Chair, Canadian Section
International Joint Commission
2324 Laurier Avenue W., 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON KiP6K6
The Honorable Dennis L. Schornack
Chair, United States Section
International Joint Commission
1250 23rd Street N.W. Suite 1oo
Washington, DC 20037
Dear Honorable Herb Gray and Dennis Schornack:
Please accept this as a formal request for the International Joint
Commission (IJC) to assess the cumulative impact of the activated Sage
Creek
coal mine and proposed coal bed methane drilling in the Flathead
drainage of
British Columbia. Specifically, I ask that the IJC examine the affects
on
water quality, water uses, and many special designations throughout the
region.
The proposed coal mine would be located six miles north of the
international
border, near the Flathead River. The proposed coal bed methane field
would
encompass the Flathead River and its riparian corridor roughly 18 miles
north of the border. For your information, I have enclosed a letter
asking
Premier Gordon Campbell of British Columbia to defer permitting these
projects until the IJC has had an opportunity to complete a cumulative
impact assessment of them.
As you will recall from your 1988 report, the Flathead River Basin in
the
United States has received more protection for its natural amenities
than
any other area in the continental United States. The river encompasses
Glacier National Park, has been designated as a wild and scenic river,
is
home to a number of federally listed endangered species, has been
selected
as a World Heritage Site Biosphere Reserve, and is the crown jewel of
the
Waterton Lakes/Glacier International Peace Park that celebrates the good
will between Canada and the United States.
As you know, the North Fork of the Flathead River has been classified to
have very high water quality value and is protected with a strict
non-degradation standard under the state of Montana law.
The river holds a diverse and abundant predator and prey species that is
unmatched almost anywhere in North America. A number of these species
reproduce and spend their summers in the British Columbia portion of the
Flathead and then migrate across the border to winter in the United
States.
In 1988, you invoked Article IV of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty in
your
decision to recommend against the proposed Cabin Creek coal mine. You
further recommended that "the mine not receive regulatory approval in
the
future until it can be demonstrated that: the potential trans-boundary
impacts identified in the report of the Flathead River International
Study
Board have been determined with reasonable certainty and would
constitute a
level of risk acceptable to both governments; and that the potential
impacts
on the sport fish populations and habitat in the Flathead River system
would
not occur or could be fully mitigated in an effective and assured
manner".
Since both of these projects propose a great concern to the United
States
and its many amenities and designations, I am requesting that the IJC
assess
the cumulative impacts on the area's environmental well-being. It is my
hope that a comprehensive analysis on the water quality, water
quantity, and
wildlife habitats of the Flathead drainage both at the international
border
and downstream.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Rich
Moy at
406-444-6633. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
JUDY MARTZ
Governor
c:
Premier Campbell
Senator Baucus
Senator Burns
Representative Rehberg
Bud Clinch, Director, Montana DNRC
Flathead Basin Commission
# # #
Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
