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Threats to Wildlife
South-eastern BC is challenged by the operations of five large open
pit coalmines, forestry operations, and increasing off-road vehicle
use. There are currently no large parks in this region, and the
increasing intensity of industrial and recreational activities is
putting additional stresses on the wildlife of the area. As
well the increase in housing development in the valleys is
segregating the wildlife populations leading to the isolation of
local populations.
Open Pit Mines
 | Five large open pit coalmines are found within the
region |
| These mines pollute the environment and many animals give a
wide berth to these areas. |
| Large open pit coalmines scar the land for years after they
are removed from production. |
Forestry
| Forestry is a major activity in South-eastern British Columbia;
in the past logging in the Flathead Valley, including on the
border of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, has been
proposed.
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| The largest forestry company in the area is Tembec, Inc.,
which operates a mill in the small community of Elko.
Tembec, Inc. is willing to change its current operations.
It has offered to give up its rights in the Lower Flathead
Valley in return for private and public funds to modernize its
Elko mill. This will enable Tembec Inc. to make up for the
loss of the timber from the Flathead Valley through an increase
in the mills efficiency.
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| Through the cooperation of Tembec there is the potential to
protect 100,000 acres, including a fertile valley bottom,
significantly increasing the size and effectiveness of
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. |
Intensive Recreational Activities
| South-eastern British Columbia is home to the largest heli-skiing
and heli-hiking company in the world, Canadian Mountain Holiday
(CMH) with over 2,000,000 hectares of tenured area. This
is one-third the size of Switzerland! According to recent
studies the helicopters are having a significant impact on the
wildlife in the region. Most affected by the helicopters
are grizzly bears, mountain goats and mountain sheep.
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| Off Road Vehicles, including all terrain vehicles (ATV's) and
snowmobiles, are increasingly causing disturbances for mountain
caribou, wolverines, rare plants and in alpine meadows.
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| South-eastern British Columbia is home to some of Canada's best
remaining wetlands. These wetlands have large populations
of birds, many of which are suffering from considerable habitat
destruction. These birds are extremely sensitive to the
motorized activities occurring near their nesting sites (i.e.
jet boats).
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| Conflict between motorized and non-motorized users is on the
rise due to the overall increased usage by both groups in south-eastern
British Columbia.
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| The exponential growth of recreational home and tourism
development in the Fernie area is leading to isolated
populations of wildlife in region. This isolation leads to an
increase in the likelihood of the loss of various species within
the region. |
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