Sacred Headwaters: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Drainage basin and source of three rivers}} |
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[[Image:Sacredheadwaters.jpg|frame|Sacred Headwaters (Brian Huntington photo)]] |
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{{Infobox landform |
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[[Image:Sacredheadwatersmap.jpg|frame|Map showing British Columbia's Sacred Headwaters, the source of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers]] |
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| water = yes |
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| name = Sacred Headwaters |
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| native_name = {{native name|tht|Klabona}} |
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| type = [[Drainage basin]] |
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| photo = Sacredheadwaters.jpg |
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| photo_width = 260px |
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| photo_caption = Sacred Headwaters |
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| map_image = Sacredheadwatersmap.jpg |
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| map_caption = Location in British Columbia |
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| location = [[Kitimat-Stikine Regional District|Kitimat-Stikine RD]] and [[Stikine Region]], British Columbia |
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| coordinates = {{Coord|57|13|00|N|129|01|00|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
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The '''Sacred Headwaters''' is a large [[subalpine]] [[drainage basin]] centred around [[Klappan Mountain]] of the [[Klappan Range]] in northern [[British Columbia]]. It is the source of three wild salmon rivers: the [[Skeena River]], [[Nass River]], and [[Stikine River]]. It is also referred to as the Klappan Valley, although the Klappan—a tributary of the Stikine River—is only one of the area's watersheds. Local [[Tahltan people]] call the area {{lang|tht|Klabona}}, which is loosely translated as "headwaters". |
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==Ecology== |
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The '''Sacred Headwaters''' is the name given to a subalpine basin in northern [[British Columbia]] that is the [[Source (river or stream)|source]] of three wild salmon rivers: the [[Skeena River]], [[Nass River]] and [[Stikine River]]. It is also referred to as the Klappan Valley, although the Klappan—a tributary of the Stikine River—is only one of the area's watersheds. Local [[Tahltan]] people call the area "Klabona", which is loosely translated as "headwaters." |
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The area has a significant population of [[grizzly bear]]s, [[Dall's Sheep|stone sheep]], [[caribou]], [[wolf|wolves]], and [[mountain goat]]s.<ref name="fsj">{{cite web|url=https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/tasb/slrp/plan33.html|title=Fort St. James Land and Resource Management Plan|year=1999|access-date=2009-03-27}}</ref> [[Salmon]] swim over 400 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean to spawn in the upper reaches of the river.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} |
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The area has a significant population of [[grizzly bear]]s, [[Dall's Sheep|stone sheep]], [[caribou]], [[wolf|wolves]], and [[goat]]s.<ref name="fsj">{{cite web|url=http://ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca/slrp/lrmp/princegeorge/fort_stjames/plan/436.htm|title=Fort St. James Land and Resource Management Plan|date=1999|accessdate=2009-03-27}} {{Dead link|date=November 2011|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> [[Salmon]] swim over 400 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean to spawn in the upper reaches of the river.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} |
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==Industrial development== |
==Industrial development== |
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The Sacred Headwaters is rich in mineral and energy resources, particularly coal and [[coalbed methane]]. Several industrial development projects |
The Sacred Headwaters is rich in mineral and energy resources, particularly coal and [[coalbed methane]]. Several industrial development projects were planned for the area, including [[Fortune Minerals]]' open-pit Klappan Coal Mine<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rescan.com/projectsMtKlappan.asp |title=Klappan Coal mine}}</ref> and [[Royal Dutch Shell]]'s [[Klappan Coalbed Methane Project]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shell.com/home/content/ca-en/about_shell/what_we_do/exploration_production/klappan/dir_klappan.html |title=Klappan Coalbed Methane project}}</ref> Shell Canada in 2009 conducted several environmental baseline studies within the Klappan tenure area.<ref name="shell">{{cite web|url=http://www.shell.com/home/content/ca-en/about_shell/what_we_do/exploration_production/klappan/klappan_environment.html |
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|title=Shell Canada – Protect the Klappan Environment}}</ref> |
|title=Shell Canada – Protect the Klappan Environment}}</ref> The British Columbia [[Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources]] estimates the Klappan coal deposit could contain as much as {{convert|8.1|Tcuft|km3}} of coalbed methane gas.<ref>[http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/PubDocs/bcdocs/372769/coalbed_potential2003.pdf A Summary of Coalbed Methane Potential in British Columbia], Barry Ryan, BC Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia (no date).</ref> |
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==Klappan |
===Klappan Coal Mine=== |
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[[Fortune Coal Limited]] (FCL) entered on 13 July 2011 into an unincorporated [[joint venture]] with [[Posco Canada]] (POSCAN). The venture, an 80–20 split, was based on mineral rights held by FCL and finances provided by POSCAN. FCL was 100% controlled by [[Fortune Minerals Limited]], an Ontario-based company that traded on the [[TSX Venture Exchange]]. POSCAN, which contributed $30 million to the project, was a subsidiary of one of the world's largest steel producers,<ref name=arctos/> and had strong ties to the [[Government of South Korea]].<ref name=busweek>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130928231856/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=27714872 " Company Overview of POSCO Canada Ltd." on Business Week]</ref> The financial resources of the FML were not sufficient to bring any of its properties into commercial production as of 2012. The Klappan project was estimated to need $789 million to begin production, and to generate substantially less than 1,000 jobs.<ref name=fmlar2012>[http://www.fortuneminerals.com/files/Dec%2031%202012%20AIF%20FINAL_v002_f80r4n.pdf Fortune Minerals 2012 Annual Information Form]</ref> FML called this the "Arctos Anthracite Project".<ref name=arctos>[http://www.fortuneminerals.com/Projects/Arctos-/Arctos-Anthracite-Project/default.aspx "Arctos Anthracite Project" web page.]</ref> |
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{{Main|Klappan Coalbed Methane Project}} |
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The Klappan Coalbed Methane Project is a proposal by [[Shell Canada]] to develop a [[coalbed methane]] methane project in the area known as the Sacred Headwaters. In 2004, the British Columbia government granted [[Royal Dutch Shell]] (which is now a parent company of Shell Canada) a 400,000 hectare (4,000 km<sup>2</sup>) tenure for coalbed methane development. It is accessed by road via the abandoned BC Rail grade, which intersects [[British Columbia Highway 37]] south of [[Iskut, British Columbia|Iskut]]. As of Summer 2008, Shell's project is in the exploration phase. Shell drilled three exploratory wells in 2004 and is preparing to drill an additional 14 wells in 2008, 8 of which are proposed for the headwaters of the Skeena River.{{update needed|2012|01|09}} If developed, Shell's project will entail a network of gas wells connected by roads and pipelines, as well as a pipeline to deliver the gas to market. Shell has disclosed neither how many wells will be necessary to make the project economically viable nor route options for the delivery pipeline. The Klappan Coalbed Methane Project has been met with opposition by both [[First Nation]]s groups and [[Non-governmental organizations]]. The [[Pembina Institute]], an [[environmentalist]] think-tank, released a report on the potential impacts of the Klappan Coalbed Methane Project on wild salmon, calling it a "risky experiment" as commercial coalbed methane production has never been attempted in a salmon-bearing watershed.<ref name="salmon pi">{{cite web|url=http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/cbmandsalmon-fs.pdf|title=Coalbed Methane & Salmon|publisher=Pembina Institute|accessdate=2009-03-27}}</ref> |
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The [[government of British Columbia]], in whose jurisdiction the mineral rights are held, planned on 20 September 2013 to dispatch a minister to deal with the First Nations' blockade of the project.<ref name=cbcbc>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-minister-to-visit-first-nation-blockade-1.1861990 CBC.ca: "B.C. minister to visit First Nation blockade"]</ref> Some First Nations groups committed to defending the Sacred Headwaters. |
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==References== |
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"We dare Fortune to get us arrested," said group spokesperson Rhoda Quock. “We have cameras here. We will make sure the world knows what’s going on.”<ref name=biv>[http://www.biv.com/article/20130920/BIV0108/130929997/-1/BIV/tahltan-elders-ramp-up-sacred-headwaters-mine-protest-after-mediator Business in Vancouver 20 Sep 2013: "Tahltan Elders ramp up Sacred Headwaters mine protest after mediator appointment"]</ref> On 23 September Quock was interviewed<ref name=cbcaih>[http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/asithappens_20130923_85387.mp3 CBC interview, "As It Happens" 23 Sept 2013]</ref> on [[CBC Radio 1|CBC]]'s ''[[As It Happens]]'', and asked Fortune to obtain an injunction. The CEO of FML said on 24 September that the company would not seek an injunction, and that they would let the BC government mediate a settlement instead.<ref name=aihsep24>[http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/asithappens_20130924_46613.mp3 "As it Happens" edition 24 September 2013]</ref> |
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{{reflist}} |
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===Klappan Coalbed Methane Project=== |
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==Bibliography== |
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{{Main|Klappan Coalbed Methane Project}} |
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* Wade Davis, "[http://skeenawatershed.com/index.php/news/article/dont_sacrifice_the_sacred_headwaters/ Don't sacrifice the Sacred Headwaters.]," ''The Globe and Mail'', October 8, 2007. |
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The Klappan Coalbed Methane Project was a proposal by [[Shell Canada]] to develop a [[coalbed methane]] project in the Sacred Headwaters. In 2004, the British Columbia government granted [[Royal Dutch Shell]] a {{convert|400000|ha|km2|adj=on}} tenure for coalbed methane development. It was accessed by road via the abandoned [[BC Rail]] grade, which intersects [[British Columbia Highway 37]] south of [[Iskut]]. As of summer 2008, Shell's project was in the exploration phase. Shell drilled three exploratory wells in 2004 and was preparing to drill 14 additional wells in 2008, 8 of which were proposed for the headwaters of the Skeena River. If developed, Shell's project would have entailed a network of gas wells connected by roads and pipelines, as well as a pipeline to deliver the gas to market. Shell disclosed neither how many wells would have been necessary to make the project economically viable nor route options for the delivery pipeline. The Klappan Coalbed Methane Project was opposed by both [[First Nations in Canada|First Nation]]s groups and [[non-governmental organizations]]. The [[Pembina Institute]], an environmentalist [[think-tank]], released a report on the potential impacts of the Klappan Coalbed Methane Project on wild salmon, calling it a "risky experiment" as commercial coalbed methane production had never been attempted in a salmon-bearing watershed.<ref name="salmon pi">{{cite web|url=http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/cbmandsalmon-fs.pdf|title=Coalbed Methane & Salmon|publisher=Pembina Institute|access-date=2009-03-27}}</ref> On December 18, 2012, the B.C. government announced that Shell Canada would relinquish its tenure on the land, and that oil and gas development would be banned in the Sacred Headwaters. |
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===Developments since 2015=== |
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* Andrew Findlay, "[http://www.straight.com/article-106704/a-methane-battle-is-brewing A methane battle is brewing]," ''The Georgia Straight,'' August 23, 2007. |
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In April 2015, the Government of British Columbia bought all coal licences in the area around Mount Klappan, halting development for the foreseeable future. At the same time, the Tahltan First Nation and provincial government began working on a long-term plan for the Sacred Headwaters.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ollerenshaw|first=N C|date=1977|title=Canadian Government Coal Block, Parcel 73, Fernie Basin, British Columbia|doi=10.4095/102676 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4095/102676|doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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The campaign to protect the Sacred Headwaters from industrial development is profiled in a 2022 documentary film, ''[[The Klabona Keepers]]''.<ref>Hannah Schmidt, [https://www.cftktv.com/documentary-filmed-in-northwest-b-c-to-be-screened-at-toronto-film-fest-1.5907647 "Documentary filmed in Northwest B.C. to be screened at Toronto film fest"]. [[CFTK-TV]], May 17, 2022.</ref> |
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* Monte Paulsen, "[http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2006.01-politics-tahltan/ A gentle revolution]," ''The Walrus,'' December/January 2006. |
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==References== |
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* Bassett, Monty, "[http://northword.ca/spring-2005/dewatering-the-holy-headwaters Dewatering the holy headwaters]," ''Northword Magazine,'' Spring 2005. |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://sacredheadwaters.com Sacred Headwaters portal site] |
* [http://sacredheadwaters.com Sacred Headwaters portal site] |
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* [http://skeenawatershed.com Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition] |
* [http://skeenawatershed.com Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition] |
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* [http://www.shell.ca/home/content/can-en/aboutshell/our_business/business_in_canada/upstream/e_and_p/e_and_p_canada/klappan/ Shell Canada – Klappan Coalbed Methane] |
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{{British Columbia parks}} |
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* [http://www.sacredheadwatersjourney.com Sacred Headwaters, Sacred Journey - Documentary Project] |
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[[Category:Tahltan]] |
[[Category:Tahltan]] |
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[[Category:Politics of British Columbia]] |
[[Category:Politics of British Columbia]] |
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[[Category:Environmental issues in Canada]] |
[[Category:Environmental issues in Canada]] |
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[[Category:Drainage basins of the Pacific Ocean]] |
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[[Category:Watersheds of Canada]] |
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[[Category:Watersheds of Alaska]] |
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[[Category:Unconventional gas]] |
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[[Category:Indigenous politics in Canada]] |
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[[Category:Environmental policy in Canada]] |
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[[Category:Land use]] |
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[[Category:2010s in Canada]] |
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[[Category:2010s in the environment]] |
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[[Category:Sacred rivers]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:39, 26 February 2024
Sacred Headwaters
Klabona (Tahltan) | |
|---|---|
 Sacred Headwaters | |
 Location in British Columbia | |
| Coordinates: 57°13′00″N 129°01′00″W / 57.21667°N 129.01667°W | |
| Standort | Kitimat-Stikine RD and Stikine Region, British Columbia |
| Native name | Klabona (Tahltan) |
The Sacred Headwaters is a large subalpine drainage basin centred around Klappan Mountain of the Klappan Range in northern British Columbia. It is the source of three wild salmon rivers: the Skeena River, Nass River, and Stikine River. It is also referred to as the Klappan Valley, although the Klappan—a tributary of the Stikine River—is only one of the area's watersheds. Local Tahltan people call the area Klabona, which is loosely translated as "headwaters".
Ecology
[edit]The area has a significant population of grizzly bears, stone sheep, caribou, wolves, and mountain goats.[1] Salmon swim over 400 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean to spawn in the upper reaches of the river.[citation needed]
Industrial development
[edit]The Sacred Headwaters is rich in mineral and energy resources, particularly coal and coalbed methane. Several industrial development projects were planned for the area, including Fortune Minerals' open-pit Klappan Coal Mine[2] and Royal Dutch Shell's Klappan Coalbed Methane Project.[3] Shell Canada in 2009 conducted several environmental baseline studies within the Klappan tenure area.[4] The British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources estimates the Klappan coal deposit could contain as much as 8.1 trillion cubic feet (230 km3) of coalbed methane gas.[5]
Klappan Coal Mine
[edit]Fortune Coal Limited (FCL) entered on 13 July 2011 into an unincorporated joint venture with Posco Canada (POSCAN). The venture, an 80–20 split, was based on mineral rights held by FCL and finances provided by POSCAN. FCL was 100% controlled by Fortune Minerals Limited, an Ontario-based company that traded on the TSX Venture Exchange. POSCAN, which contributed $30 million to the project, was a subsidiary of one of the world's largest steel producers,[6] and had strong ties to the Government of South Korea.[7] The financial resources of the FML were not sufficient to bring any of its properties into commercial production as of 2012. The Klappan project was estimated to need $789 million to begin production, and to generate substantially less than 1,000 jobs.[8] FML called this the "Arctos Anthracite Project".[6]
The government of British Columbia, in whose jurisdiction the mineral rights are held, planned on 20 September 2013 to dispatch a minister to deal with the First Nations' blockade of the project.[9] Some First Nations groups committed to defending the Sacred Headwaters. "We dare Fortune to get us arrested," said group spokesperson Rhoda Quock. “We have cameras here. We will make sure the world knows what’s going on.”[10] On 23 September Quock was interviewed[11] on CBC's As It Happens, and asked Fortune to obtain an injunction. The CEO of FML said on 24 September that the company would not seek an injunction, and that they would let the BC government mediate a settlement instead.[12]
Klappan Coalbed Methane Project
[edit]The Klappan Coalbed Methane Project was a proposal by Shell Canada to develop a coalbed methane project in the Sacred Headwaters. In 2004, the British Columbia government granted Royal Dutch Shell a 400,000-hectare (4,000 km2) tenure for coalbed methane development. It was accessed by road via the abandoned BC Rail grade, which intersects British Columbia Highway 37 south of Iskut. As of summer 2008, Shell's project was in the exploration phase. Shell drilled three exploratory wells in 2004 and was preparing to drill 14 additional wells in 2008, 8 of which were proposed for the headwaters of the Skeena River. If developed, Shell's project would have entailed a network of gas wells connected by roads and pipelines, as well as a pipeline to deliver the gas to market. Shell disclosed neither how many wells would have been necessary to make the project economically viable nor route options for the delivery pipeline. The Klappan Coalbed Methane Project was opposed by both First Nations groups and non-governmental organizations. The Pembina Institute, an environmentalist think-tank, released a report on the potential impacts of the Klappan Coalbed Methane Project on wild salmon, calling it a "risky experiment" as commercial coalbed methane production had never been attempted in a salmon-bearing watershed.[13] On December 18, 2012, the B.C. government announced that Shell Canada would relinquish its tenure on the land, and that oil and gas development would be banned in the Sacred Headwaters.
Developments since 2015
[edit]In April 2015, the Government of British Columbia bought all coal licences in the area around Mount Klappan, halting development for the foreseeable future. At the same time, the Tahltan First Nation and provincial government began working on a long-term plan for the Sacred Headwaters.[14]
The campaign to protect the Sacred Headwaters from industrial development is profiled in a 2022 documentary film, The Klabona Keepers.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Fort St. James Land and Resource Management Plan". 1999. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
- ^ "Klappan Coal mine".
- ^ "Klappan Coalbed Methane project".
- ^ "Shell Canada – Protect the Klappan Environment".
- ^ A Summary of Coalbed Methane Potential in British Columbia, Barry Ryan, BC Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia (no date).
- ^ a b "Arctos Anthracite Project" web page.
- ^ " Company Overview of POSCO Canada Ltd." on Business Week
- ^ Fortune Minerals 2012 Annual Information Form
- ^ CBC.ca: "B.C. minister to visit First Nation blockade"
- ^ Business in Vancouver 20 Sep 2013: "Tahltan Elders ramp up Sacred Headwaters mine protest after mediator appointment"
- ^ CBC interview, "As It Happens" 23 Sept 2013
- ^ "As it Happens" edition 24 September 2013
- ^ "Coalbed Methane & Salmon" (PDF). Pembina Institute. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
- ^ Ollerenshaw, N C (1977). "Canadian Government Coal Block, Parcel 73, Fernie Basin, British Columbia". doi:10.4095/102676.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Hannah Schmidt, "Documentary filmed in Northwest B.C. to be screened at Toronto film fest". CFTK-TV, May 17, 2022.
