The Rocky Mountains are one of the most iconic and biologically significant mountain ranges in the world. Stretching almost 5,000 kilometres from northern British Columbia to the arid reaches of the US Southwest, these spectacular mountains support a vast array of species and provide an essential corridor to maintain genetic diversity for grizzly bears throughout … Continued
Even though Lake Koocanusa is more than a hundred kilometres downstream of Teck’s coal mines in the Rocky Mountains, selenium pollution flowing from the mines is a real danger to fish who call the reservoir home. The still waters of the 145km long reservoir that runs from B.C. into Montana allow even low concentrations of … Continued
Teck’s Castle coal mine will have a federal environmental assessment, Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced today. That’s good news for fish, bears and other wildlife in BC’s southern Rockies! The Minister ordered the assessment after Wildsight and other conservation groups, First Nations, U.S. governments and hundreds of people like you requested a full federal … Continued
Teck’s Castle coal mine expansion will take down a mountain in the BC Rockies over decades and will become Canada’s largest coal mine by production. But under Canada’s environmental assessment rules, the mine apparently doesn’t qualify for a federal environmental assessment because it’s too small! How can a massive coal mine with a well known … Continued
In the Elk Valley, mountain-top removal coal mines dig up millions of tonnes of coal every year. When people ask questions about how these coal mines add to climate change, Teck is always quick to point out that the mines produce steelmaking coal, not the dirty kind of coal that’s burned to generate electricity. But … Continued
Just downstream of Teck’s 50-square-kilometre Fording River coal mine, cutthroat trout swim in heavily polluted waters. This isolated population of trout, federally listed as a species at risk, recently collapsed, with more than 90% of adult fish gone in just two years. Now, Teck has applied to expand the Fording River mine onto Castle Mountain, … Continued
Mention the Elk Valley and lush green rainforests, rivers and streams, and craggy limestone peaks come to mind. Wildlife in abundance roam the landscape, from iconic grizzly bears and elk to the much sought-after westslope cutthroat trout found in the Elk River. A decision about the future of the Elk Valley is in the early … Continued
Everything has a breaking point. The trout population of the upper Fording River, who have long suffered toxic water pollution from Teck’s Elk Valley coal mines, not to mention destruction of their habitat, have finally reached their breaking point. Of the adult westslope cutthroat trout in this 60km stretch of river, 90% are gone in … Continued
Here in BC, it’s obvious that we care about our environment—and we like to think that our laws reflect how we feel. But when it comes to mining, the sad truth is that our laws to protect the environment and our communities are outdated, weak or sometimes just not enforced. There’s a saying that BC … Continued
Teck Coal had a plan to deal with Elk Valley water pollution problems, but the plan hasn’t worked. Is BC going to let Teck delay for years or will they finally stand up and enforce permits that limit water pollution? Without real changes to mining practices, the future is bleak for fish and rivers.
