Canadian coal project needs to be reconsidered

As a resident of the Flathead Valley who enjoys the pristine waters of Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, I am writing to express my serious concern over BP's recent proposal to develop coal-bed methane at the headwaters of the North Fork River in British Columbia.

As Montanans, we know the North Fork is a special place. Native trout, large game species and Flathead Lake water quality all depend on our ability to protect the existing values of the Flathead River, which do not include open-pit coal mining or coal-bed methane extraction.

For more than 30 years, Montanans of all political stripes and beliefs have united around protecting our water and wildlife from this threat.

BP should take the time to talk to Montanans about how we feel about the industrialization of the British Columbian Flathead.

Instead, I read in the newspaper that there will be no public meetings in Montana because "this is a BC project, not a Montana project."

BP needs to keep two important facts in mind: First, the North Fork of the Flathead is a Montana River — this is a Montana project. Second, clean water is part of who we are as Montanans.

BP needs to reconsider this proposal immediately.

Betty Wetzel

Bigfork