Mining Industry Fights Back Against Environmentalists

The B.C. mining industry wants its own version of the high-profile petroleum industry lobby group "Ethical Oil" to battle what it calls "systematic attacks" by environmental non-governmental organizations.

"Several Alaskan and B.C.-based NGOs are using U.S. governmental lobbying and grassroots campaigns in an attempt to stop industrial development in the trans-boundary region where your project is located," read the email invitation from Robert Simpson, president of PR Associates. "Research shows that the movement, which is relying on inaccurate and misleading public messaging, is gaining momentum."

LINK

The proposed KSM mine is just one of the projects the flacks at PR Associates are lobbying for.

The site of the proposed KSM mine is just 19 miles from the Alaska border, on Sulphurets Creek, a major tributary of the Unuk River. The Unuk flows into Behm Canal and Misty Fjords National Monument and is among the top salmon producing rivers in Southeast Alaska.

The mine will be required to treat 119,000 gallons of contaminated water per minute prior to dumping into the Unuk River.

LINK (via: Southeast Alaska Conservation Council)

KSM is just one of nine large scale mine projects the B.C. government is hoping to fast track as part of their drive to exploit the pristine wilderness of the province.

B.C. Lodge for Sale

Last week's little piece of fishing paradise for sale was an Island Park fixer upper.

This week we feature something a tad more substantial.

Rodgers Fishing Lodge is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island about 90 miles due west of Campbell River in Esperanza Inlet. Rodgers is one of the busiest fishing lodges on the B.C. coast, entertaining over 1000 guests a year. They also enjoy one of the longest seasons on the coast, operating 19 weeks in 2013. This will be their 31st year in the Sport Fishing business and their 20th year in Esperanza Inlet. Rodgers has shown a remarkable rate of growth over the past 3 years due mainly to an aggressive, innovative and successful marketing programme. Their gross revenue has more than doubled since 2010 and 2014 looks to be another banner year with over 550 guests already booked.

The Lodge has a location second to none as it is ideally situated to take advantage of some of the most outstanding fishing opportunities on the BC coast for Salmon, Halibut, Bottom Fish and Tuna. The addition of Tuna fishing this year will add a new dimension to the business and will add increased revenue to the months of August and September. The Tuna fishery is going to be a huge breakthrough in the future for West Coast fishing lodges. Rodgers Lodge is perfectly positioned to take advantage of it. Historically, the Tuna in their migration pattern will follow the warm water temperatures that occur along the Continental Shelf. In Rodgers Lodge's location the Continental Shelf is just 12 to 15 miles offshore as opposed to 50 miles offshore for places like Tofino and Bamfield.

Black Bear and Bald Eagles are regularly seen by the lodge. They have the largest colonies of Sea Otters on the coast and the Gray, Orca and Humpback Whales pass by on their way to and from the Bering Sea.

The owners love the business and wish that they were 30 years younger. However, they feel that it is now time to turn the reins over to someone who shares the same passion for the outdoors and who is looking for a wonderful rewarding lifestyle.

Asking price: 1,199,000

Contact Dave Brown for more information at 604-905-2805 or 1-800-667-2993 ext 805

Click here to see more images.

Central Westcoast Forest Society

Shot in the Kennedy Flats Watershed in the heart of the Clayoquot Sound, BC, Canada.

2013 Area 6 Seine Fishery: A Fishery Out of Control

Video evidence shows wild salmon from depleted populations on British Columbia's north coast being needlessly killed in fisheries. Watershed Watch Salmon Society, SkeenaWild Conservation Trust and Raincoast Conservation Foundation are calling on the Fisheries Minister to enforce the rules put in place by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to protect endangered populations of salmon.

Since this video was released the DFO has announced a formal investigation but environmental groups still want to see industry wide change.

LINK (via: CBCnews)

Lost and Found: The Skeena

Pacific Northwest LNG Ltd. is proposing to construct and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility and marine terminal near Prince Rupert. The map that they submitted for their project description left out one tiny little detail.....the Skeena.

LINK (via: The Northern View)

The map has now been corrected.

Kitimat ocean program set for oil tankers

Despite the Enbridge Pipeline's uncertain future, the Canadian government is still preparing the Kitimat region for crude oil tanker traffic. 

"My conclusion is, come hell or high water, the intention of the feds right now is to ship bitumen to Asia through Kitimat," Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver said in an interview. "Whether it be through rail or through pipeline, it's going to happen, and I don't think that British Columbians are getting the whole picture here."

LINK (via: The Northern View)