All impacted communities must have a say before creeks are sold off, says MLA
NELSON — Consultations on the proposed Glacier-Howser private power project need to include Nelson and other Kootenay communities says Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston. The controversial proposal, which would impact five creeks in the area north of Kaslo, has just moved into the final stages of an environmental assessment.
However, Mungall is concerned that many impacted communities may be shut out from the upcoming public consultations. “Many of my constituents are concerned that the environmental assessment will be just a rubber stamp for Gordon Campbell’s agenda to privatize our creeks,” said Mungall. “I’m calling on the government to ensure that residents and businesses in all of the impacted area are fully consulted.”
Mungall says that previous consultations about the terms of reference of the private power proposal only included Kaslo and Meadow Creek.
“Expanding the public consultation to include all local stakeholders is necessary,” said Mungall. “All the communities in the watershed deserve to have a say about the permanent changes this company wants to make to our waterways and wilderness areas.”
The 125 megawatt power project would affect Glacier, Howser, Suck, Behrman, and Birnam creeks along with old growth management reserves and may impact several threatened and endangered species including bull trout, mountain caribou, and wolverines.
“People in the Kootenays fish, hunt, camp, hike, kayak, and live off of the revenues that are generated by people who come here from around the world to enjoy the natural environment,” said Mungall. “It’s not reasonable to restrict the consultation process to the two nearest dots on the map. Nelson and other communities would be affected by a major project like Glacier Howser.”
Carole James and the New Democrats are calling for a moratorium on new private run-of-the-river power projects until a thorough review of B.C.’s energy needs is completed.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Michelle wins Nelson-Creston!
After months of hard work and pounding the pavement and talking with constituents, Michelle Mungall wins the seat for Nelson-Creston. She is the first woman to be elected in Nelson-Creston.
With 8517 votes, Michelle takes the seat with 54.44% of the vote.
See results here:http://results.elections.bc.ca/ed/GE-2009-05-12_Nelson-Creston.html
“It’s just a testimony to the hard work of the NDP,” said Mungall. “We had hundreds of volunteers working on the campaign and that’s what made it happen.”
Nelson Star report here:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/news/44852472.html
With 8517 votes, Michelle takes the seat with 54.44% of the vote.
See results here:http://results.elections.bc.ca/ed/GE-2009-05-12_Nelson-Creston.html
“It’s just a testimony to the hard work of the NDP,” said Mungall. “We had hundreds of volunteers working on the campaign and that’s what made it happen.”
Nelson Star report here:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/news/44852472.html
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Important events from the weekend
NDP HELPS OUT CRESTON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
CRESTON - After years of chronic underfunding, the BC NDP has announced plans to invest $1 million into renovations and the greening of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area’s buildings and facilities, it was announced today by Michelle Mungall, the NDP candidate in Nelson-Creston.
“The Creston Valley Management Area is an integral piece to our community, and not only protects a rich and diverse ecological area, it brings in over 35,000 visitors annually and employees over 11 people,” said Mungall. “The Management Area has suffered for years from lack of funding. Dikes and control structures have not been properly maintained, the wiring in the pump house is in a dangerous condition, and the on site buildings are in serious disrepair.”
“The NDP is committed to funding the renovation and greening of the buildings in the Management Area,” said Carole James, the NDP leader. “These funds will be a start towards the improvements needed for the area.”
“We have an ecologically sensitive area where elk, moose, beavers and diverse bird species live, yet the buildings are in no way environmental sustainable or safe,” said Mungall.
The funding comes from the NDP’s “Green Bonds.” The funds will be used to develop a plan and full budget in consultation with all stakeholders.
Serious concerns over the sate of the Management Area are cited in a government report released in December 2008.
VOTE NDP TO STOP GLACIER-HOWSER FOR GOOD— MUNGALL
NELSON— The resubmission of the Glacier-Howser project shows that only the NDP can stop the privatization of our rivers says Michelle Mungall, NDP candidate in Nelson Creston.“We need to stop this and other environmentally destructive private power projects,” said Mungall. “Once a corporation diverts a creek or a river, the watershed is changed forever.”
Earlier this week, prominent conservationists expressed concern about the lack of environmental assessment on private power projects. “Without a strategy or a plan we have seen something akin to a gold rush with literally hundreds of rivers being staked and that has not been good for our rivers, our environment or the energy sector for that matter.” –Rivers Institute’s Mark Angelo, May 6, 2009
The NDP has committed to a moratorium on all new private power projects in the province until a comprehensive assessment of the province’s energy needs is completed and until regulations which assess the cumulative impacts of energy projects are in place.
“The NDP will stop the give-away of our rivers and the destruction of our watersheds and ecosystems,” said Mungall. “We will restore the rights of communities and regions to be involved in decisions that affect them.”
Gordon Campbell used parts of Bill 30 to strip away the voice of communities to say no to private power projects. The NDP has committed to restoring that voice to communities and regional districts.
“Eight years is enough,” said Mungall. “Hundreds of rivers are at risk of being destroyed and we may never get them back. Only the NDP can stop Gordon Campbell from continuing the give-away resources that belong to all of us.
CRESTON - After years of chronic underfunding, the BC NDP has announced plans to invest $1 million into renovations and the greening of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area’s buildings and facilities, it was announced today by Michelle Mungall, the NDP candidate in Nelson-Creston.
“The Creston Valley Management Area is an integral piece to our community, and not only protects a rich and diverse ecological area, it brings in over 35,000 visitors annually and employees over 11 people,” said Mungall. “The Management Area has suffered for years from lack of funding. Dikes and control structures have not been properly maintained, the wiring in the pump house is in a dangerous condition, and the on site buildings are in serious disrepair.”
“The NDP is committed to funding the renovation and greening of the buildings in the Management Area,” said Carole James, the NDP leader. “These funds will be a start towards the improvements needed for the area.”
“We have an ecologically sensitive area where elk, moose, beavers and diverse bird species live, yet the buildings are in no way environmental sustainable or safe,” said Mungall.
The funding comes from the NDP’s “Green Bonds.” The funds will be used to develop a plan and full budget in consultation with all stakeholders.
Serious concerns over the sate of the Management Area are cited in a government report released in December 2008.
VOTE NDP TO STOP GLACIER-HOWSER FOR GOOD— MUNGALL
NELSON— The resubmission of the Glacier-Howser project shows that only the NDP can stop the privatization of our rivers says Michelle Mungall, NDP candidate in Nelson Creston.“We need to stop this and other environmentally destructive private power projects,” said Mungall. “Once a corporation diverts a creek or a river, the watershed is changed forever.”
Earlier this week, prominent conservationists expressed concern about the lack of environmental assessment on private power projects. “Without a strategy or a plan we have seen something akin to a gold rush with literally hundreds of rivers being staked and that has not been good for our rivers, our environment or the energy sector for that matter.” –Rivers Institute’s Mark Angelo, May 6, 2009
The NDP has committed to a moratorium on all new private power projects in the province until a comprehensive assessment of the province’s energy needs is completed and until regulations which assess the cumulative impacts of energy projects are in place.
“The NDP will stop the give-away of our rivers and the destruction of our watersheds and ecosystems,” said Mungall. “We will restore the rights of communities and regions to be involved in decisions that affect them.”
Gordon Campbell used parts of Bill 30 to strip away the voice of communities to say no to private power projects. The NDP has committed to restoring that voice to communities and regional districts.
“Eight years is enough,” said Mungall. “Hundreds of rivers are at risk of being destroyed and we may never get them back. Only the NDP can stop Gordon Campbell from continuing the give-away resources that belong to all of us.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
On the TV and YouTube
Check out the TV ad with Michelle Mungall, and former MLAs Corky Evans and Ed Conroy. The add runs during Global TV news hours. The long version is on YouTube.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Carole visits Nelson with pizzaz
On Friday May 1, Carole kicked off the home stretch in this election with a tour of Nelson.Carole's bus arrived on the corner of Ward and Baker Streets, where she was greeted by several supporters of all ages, including Miss Sophie, 5 years old.
Can't come to Nelson without a trip to Oso Negro, so Carole and Michelle grabbed some java and chatted with locals in the garden.
Local farmers wanted to bend Carole and Michelle's ears about the Liberal's ban on farmgate sales. The ban is "collapsing" our local meat producer market, they said. This legislation is doing a real disservice to farmers and systematically replaces local producers with corporate ones.
Having worked on the transformation of the old City Hall to the current beautiful Museum, Michelle was proud to bring Carole to Touchstones. Last time Carole was in Nelson, Touchstones was under construction. She was pleased to see the final product, and check out the show by Kaslo's own Brent Bukowski.
Then they headed to Cicada Place's 10 year anniversay celebration. The NDP got Nelson Cicada Place, and so Michelle wanted to show Carole the best practice in supporting rural youth's housing needs.
From Cicada Place, Carole and Michelle heading back up to Ward and Baker St. for a rally with supporters. But before the rally, Carole wanted to try the legendary Ebesse Zozo hot sauce. Edmond lives up to his awards, and got Carole hooked. She couldn't leave without supporting our local businessman.
The Rally saw over 100 people cheering Carole and Michelle on to the final stretch of the Election. Cheers and applause accompanied the sunny afternoon joy for a positive change in BC.
Carole and Michelle are for the people because they spend time with the people. Gordon Campbell and Josh Smienk hid in the local Liberal office when the Premier visited Nelson, meeting a few instead of hundreds. Carol and Michelle are out there, hearing from you, working for you. After all, it's about you, not just the elite. This election, vote for people before profits.
Photos by Kaslo's Doug Pyper
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