From the Thursday, July 26, 2007 online edition of the Flathead Beacon . . .
I live almost equally between the Flathead Valley of Montana and the East Kootenays of British Columbia, and have been involved in conservation efforts in the Kootenays for more than 30 years. Consequently, I was bitterly amused to read a recent letter to the Flathead Beacon’s editor carrying on about the potential impact coalbed methane extraction in British Columbia might have on Montana. I am not particularly in favor of either coalbed methane operations or additional mines in the South Country – if for no other reason than that they provide no real benefit to the local communities at this time.
However, recent letter writers and their fellow travelers need a reality check. Yet again this year, the Libby dam reservoir is going to be drawn down to the detriment of British Columbia’s wildlife and fisheries, habitat, upstream reservoirs and the lifestyle of residents of the East Kootenays. Sort of like what many Montanans are worried about happening in reverse, isn't it? And what, precisely, have they done in advocacy to stop that from happening? Where are these letter writers and fellow travelers when Montana issues like the Kookanusa reservoir negatively impact British Columbia? Or does it only matter when Montana is at risk, and to hell with those people to the north?
Read the entire article . . .