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18 May 2008
 In advance of the Sacred Headwaters Summit at Gitanmaax Hall May 24, the Gitxsan Chiefs' Office signed a resolution calling for immediate suspension of coalbed methane exploration at the headwaters of the Skeena River. The resolution also requests the provincial government engage in "comprehensive consultations with all residents of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine watersheds" and that BC "not proceed with coalbed methane development in the Klappan-Groundhog area until there is compelling evidence of environmental safety, and residents of the region are satisfied such development does not jeopardize their values and existing economic activities."
Shell Canada is planning to drill exploratory coalbed methane wells at the headwaters of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers. CBM extraction activities elsewhere in North America has caused significant harm to water, wildlife and rural economies. Such a development has never occured on a commercial scale in BC and has never taken place in a wild-salmon bearing watershed.
The resolution is being circulated in advance of the May 24 gathering by Headwater Summit organizers the Friends of Wild Salmon (FOWS) and the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition (SWCC). It is anticipated that many First Nations, municipal governments and individuals will be passing the resolution to create a diverse and unified voice expressing concerns about the current direction of CBM activities in the Sacred Headwaters.
If you or your organization wish to sign the resolution you can download it through the link below and fax it to Pat Moss, FOWS at 250 847-6068.
Download file: Resolution
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