The B.C. Wildlife Federation was disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that the Garnet Valley gravel mine proposal will be moving forward despite our assertion that a mine will undo millions of dollars of investment and years of conservation work in the Garnet Valley.
The many impacts of the proposed mine include:
- Habitat identified as high adult and newborn mule deer during the summer.
- Habitat with high fawn survival during the winter.
- Compromising a highly diverse ecosystem of open forest, sensitive wetlands, and a unique south-facing grassland habitat utilized by resident and migrating species.
When the B.C. Wildlife Federation asserts that our government is managing wildlife to zero, this is what we mean. This is one example of hundreds where the B.C. government hears from its citizens and local stewardship groups that wildlife habitat is important, that these species are worth conserving, and that we have an opportunity to Put Wildlife First, and the response is simply to look the other way.
These are the areas that will be impacted:
Image credit: Jakob von Andrian and Chloe Wright
The B.C. Wildlife Federation put out a press release in January asking residents to contact their government officials, which received significant news coverage including the Castanet, Infotel, and Global News.
The response to the B.C. government’s decision to go ahead with the gravel mine despite science-based concerns has been met with swift and brutal criticism.
“The B.C. Wildlife Federation is appalled that the gravel mine in the Garnet Valley has been approved by the provincial government, despite the strong recommendations from multiple stewardship groups as well as government biologists to protect this critical habitat,” said Jesse Zeman, BCWF Executive Director. “The valley is a highly diverse landscape with highly-sensitive, critical habitat for multiple vulnerable species. This mine could impact wildlife habitat, water quality, tourism, and agriculture, and all British Columbians should be concerned. It’s an election year, and we need to tell all candidates loudly and clearly that these types of decisions are not supported by British Columbians who care about the future of fish and wildlife.”
The BCWF is calling upon the hunting, angling, and outdoors community to demand that candidates put wildlife first in their election platforms. In B.C., there are 316,000 PAL holders, 300,000 freshwater fishing license holders, 275,000 saltwater fishing license holders, and 110,000 hunting license holders.
We have the voice and the votes to tell every single party and candidate that we want independent, science-based management, dedicated funding, legislated objecitves for fish, wildlife and habitat, as well as legislated public access.
“The proportion of B.C.’s budget allocated for natural resource management has been in decline for 50 years, leaving wildlife monitoring, management, and habitat restoration chronically underfunded,” says Zeman. “The BCWF is demanding change from elected officials. The Garnet Valley mine is just one more in a long list of examples of the government putting our iconic wildlife species last.”
One of the loudest voices calling for the minister of mines to overturn this decision has been the District of Summerland, who claim that it goes against the wishes of the community. The council and mayor have spoken out against the decision in the Castanet and Kelowna Capital News.
It’s not too late to add your voice to this issue.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation is holding a Town Hall at the Oceola Fish & Game Club in Kelowna on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 7:00pm. We’re inviting local candidates to learn how they can Put Wildlife First in their platforms, and we need your attendance to demonstrate to our elected officials how important science-based wildlife management is to British Columbians. We also have Town Halls coming up in the Lower Mainland and in the Kootenays in September and October.
You can learn more about our election advocacy here.
You can also express your concerns by writing to the Minister of Mines and asking that they repeal this decision immediately: EMLI.Minister@gov.bc.ca
It’s well past time to Put Wildlife First.