Coal, oil & gas development banned in Canadian Flathead

Local environmentalists applauded the British Columbian government on Tuesday as it took a 'significant" step in protecting wilderness lands along Glacier National Park's northern boundary.

All types of mining and oil and gas development "will not be permitted" in British Columbia's portion of the Flathead Valley, the province's lieutenant governor announced Feb. 9.

"A new partnership with Montana will sustain the environmental values in the Flathead River Basin in a manner consistent with current forestry, recreation, guide outfitting and trapping uses," Lt. Gov. Steven Point said. "Mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction will not be permitted in British Columbia's Flathead Valley."

Gov. Brian Schweitzer responded on Tuesday by saying he will sign a comprehensive memorandum of understanding with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell next week in Vancouver that calls for halting ongoing exploration work and prohibiting future development.

Schweitzer said the agreement was the result of five years of negotiations aimed at limiting development in the area just north of Glacier National Park that drains into the North Fork of the Flathead River. He credited the breakthrough to "a bold move by Premier Campbell."

"We've agreed there will be no gold mining, no coalbed methane and no coal mining in the Flathead on the Canadian side," Schweitzer said.

Companies with money already invested in leases or exploration could be compensated through the Canadian and U.S. governments, Schweitzer said, but details remain to be worked out.

"I can say of all of the things I've managed to accomplish, there's none I'm more proud of," Schweitzer said.