From the Thursday, May 26, 2005 online edition of the Globe and Mail . . .
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been asked to have the International Joint Commission review a Canadian company's proposal to mine millions of tonnes of coal in British Columbia's Flathead Valley.
In a letter to Ms. Rice, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer says the proposed mine, together with possible coal bed methane gas projects in the area, could pollute the Flathead River, which runs south into Montana in a region known for its wild and scenic parks.
"We believe that discharges from new coal mining and coal bed methane activities . . . pose grave threats to the integrity of the trans-boundary Flathead River, Flathead Lake, and to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the world's first Peace Park," Mr. Schweitzer said in the letter sent on Tuesday.
"To ensure the long-term integrity of this international treasure, and to work toward dispute prevention, the State of Montana urges you to refer the trans-boundary Flathead issue to the International Joint Commission."
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