Snake River is No. 3, Flathead, No. 5

North Fork of the Flathead in Montana and Idaho’s Lower Snake River on ‘Most Endangered’ List

By Courtney Lowery, 4-07-09

American Rivers, a national river advocacy group, has listed the North Fork of the Flathead River in northwest Montana as the 5th most endangered river in the country, largely because of threats posed by a proposed open-pit coal mine just across the Canadian border.

The American Rivers report released today says the Cline Mining Corporation’s plans for an open-pit coal mine, as well as a neighboring coal-bed methane operation would “threaten the river’s clean water, fish and wildlife, and overall health. Wild lands would be transformed into a maze of well pads, service roads, flaring and pumping stations, and power line corridors. Areas traditionally used for hiking, camping, fishing, and boating would be degraded or eliminated and the now pristine water quality would be spoiled.”

The annual Most Endangered List is compiled with the input of local partners, including outdoor clubs, environmental groups, local governments and watchdog groups. Two of the local partners in bringing attention to the North Fork are the the National Parks Conservation Association and the Flathead Coalition.

William Hammerquist, a spokesman for both the organizations said in the release, “Countries may recognize borders, but rivers don’t, and pollution doesn’t stop at the border. Strip mining and coalbed methane development in Canada will harm Glacier National Park, the Flathead River, and Flathead Lake.”

Both of Montana’s Senators and Congressman Denny Rehberg have fought the mine, as did the Bush Administration. President Obama has also vowed to fight the mine.

The report asks that, “The U.S. Departments of State and Interior must keep President Obama’s campaign commitment to oppose mining in the headwaters of the North Fork and put strong pressure on the Provincial Cabinet to extend permanent protections for the river and stop harmful mining proposals that would spoil this international treasure.”

The Cline mining operation was also the reason the Canadian portion of the Flathead River in southern British Columbia was listed as the province’s most endangered river by the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia.

The Lower Snake River in Idaho, Oregon and Washington is also on the list, at No. 3, because of four dams on the river that threaten salmon. In the report: “Removing the four dams and restoring a free-flowing lower Snake River will not only revive the salmon runs and a multi-million dollar fishery, it will eliminate a growing flood threat in Lewiston, Idaho and create an opportunity to modernize the region’s transportation and energy systems.”

Others on the most endangered list include, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River System in California, the Flint River in Georgia, Mattawoman Creek in Maryland, the Saluda River in South Carolina, Laurel Hill Creek in Pennsylvania, Beaver Creek in Alaska, the Pascagoula River in Mississippi and the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Click here for the report and click here for a story in the Flathead Beacon (the local paper) that details the history of the Cline Mine controversy.

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