The East Kootenays are home to some of the greatest natural diversity in the world. As residents of this incredible region, we care about the clean air, pristine water and abundant wildlife. We love our wild backcountry just the way it is. Lets keep it that way!

You can help. How? Click on one of the links on the right of the page to TAKE ACTION!

Organize your own Kitchen Table Letter Writing Party by clicking here. Or you can send an e-mail to info@cccbm.org, or call Sharon Switzer at 250.423.3860 for more information.

We can let our elected officials know their constituents are concerned. By writing a personalized letter and posing tough questions, officials will understand that votes, their own future, and the future of the land are at stake.

Below are facts about the area. In addition, here are some questions to ask directly to your officials. Government is elected to represent YOU. Let’s make sure they do.

Grizzly Bears /Wildlife

FACT: Our region is in the middle of the most important wildlife corridor in North America and home to the highest density of non-coastal grizzly bear population as well as the highest diversity of carnivores anywhere in North America.

QUESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT: How are you going to keep this special place wild if major new industrial activity is allowed to take place?

Water & Fish

FACT: Sediment and toxins from wells and roads and increased industrial traffic in our backcountry will muddy our rivers, impacting rare and sensitive fish habitat.

QUESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT: How are you going to ensure protection of this rare ecosystem? How do you plan to sustain water quality?

Lifestyle

FACT: The Elk River has already been highly impacted by mining and human development.

QUESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT: How are you going to protect this incredibly rare ecosystem from further damage?

FACT: The hunting and fishing industries are major contributors to the economic prosperity of our region.

QUESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT: How are we going to protect this priceless resource?

Climate Change Consistency

FACT: Many communities have signed the B.C. Climate Action Charter, and pledged to become carbon neutral by 2012. In the face of BP’s proposed CBM extraction plan, letting carbon-intensive development go forward would undermine this effort.

QUESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT: This is a contradictory position. While encouraging communities to join the B.C. Climate Action Charter, why is the government promoting and subsidizing oil and gas extraction that significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions?

The Elk and Flathead Valleys are a priceless natural resource worth protecting. Lets do everything we can to keep it wild!