NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010ENV0047-000910 July 30, 2010

Ministry of Environment

 

UN WORLD HERITAGE GROUP CONGRATULATES B.C. AND MONTANA

 

VICTORIA – British Columbia, the State of Montana and First Nations are jointly being congratulated today by a UN agency for their work toward protecting the Flathead River Basin by removing mining, and oil and gas development from that area.

 

Environment Minister Barry Penner says that a decision today from the World Heritage Committee (WHC) confirms the B.C. government is taking the right steps in the Flathead River Basin to ensure environmental protection of the adjacent Waterton-Glacier World Heritage Site.

 

“We welcome the acknowledgement from the UNESCO committee of the environmental leadership shown by our government in removing mining, and oil and gas development from the B.C. Flathead River Basin,” said Penner. “These measures will protect the area’s wildlife, habitat and ecosystems, and maintain the area as a world-class destination for traditional outdoor sport and recreation.”

 

Contrary to the request of interest groups, the committee did not conclude that it was necessary to expand or establish a national park in the area to protect the heritage site or the environmental values in the region.

 

“The memorandum of understanding our government signed with Montana in February is already delivering co-operation on trans-boundary management of the Flathead River Basin as recognized today by the WHC,” said Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations Naomi Yamamoto.

 

“We will continue to collaborate with our partners to protect the environmental values of the Flathead watershed,” Yamamoto said.

 

In February 2010, B.C. signed the memorandum of understanding and co-operation with Montana that committed to remove mining, oil and gas and coal development as permissible land uses in the Flathead River Basin in both B.C. and Montana. The arrangement also included provisions to co-operate on environmental assessments, wildlife management, information sharing, climate action and energy. An order was signed in February by Penner prohibiting approval of mining projects, and the B.C. government has already moved to prohibit oil and gas development in the B.C. portion of the Flathead River Basin.

 

 

The MOU is available online at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/igrs/news/BCMTCleanEnergyEnvir.html

 

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Media Contact:

Suntanu Dalal Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 387-9745

 

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