Canadian coal mine update:

Schweitzer wants study of Flathead

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

Gov. Brian Schweitzer is asking the Canadians to do a baseline environmental assessment of the Canadian Flathead before commencing with coal mines in the region.

Schweitzer made the request in a letter to British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell last week.

"We support the concept of a comprehensive environmental and socio-economic baseline assessment of the transboundary region prior to new fossil fuel development," Schweitzer said in the Feb. 7 letter.

British Columbia gave a permit to the Cline Mining Corp. in November to do exploratory work in the Foisey Creek drainage about 31 miles north of the border. Foisey Creek is a tributary of the Canadian Flathead -known as the North Fork here in the U.S.

"It is important to recognize that we are not asking for any measure that we wouldn't apply also on our side of the border," Schweitzer said. "As you may know, the administration of President George W. Bush last October placed a moratorium on oil and gas drilling immediately south of Glacier National Park.

"An ongoing study of the effects of several drilling permits was terminated because the U.S. government recognized that the zone of impact was much larger than those specified well sites.

"The U.S. Bureau of Land management opted instead for a much broader, landscape-level assessment, to be initiated no sooner than 2007, which would guide future oil and gas exploration. My administration supports that decision."

A call to Campbell's spokesman was not immediately returned, but British Columbia officials claimed any mining project would come under the scrutiny of several Canadian environmental laws.

The Flathead River Basin Commission will also look at the latest Canadian mine prospect at its Feb. 22 meeting. At least one provincial official is expected to be there to give an update.

The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Central School Museum, 124 Second Avenue East, in downtown Kalispell.