Landmark court decision backs first nation's caribou concerns

By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun

 Ruling halts progress of coal mine near Chetwynd

March 23, 2010

A ridge near Mt. Stephenson, near Chetwynd, has been stripped of its top by First Coal Corporation, while conducting coal exploration. The area is considered critical caribou habitat.
Photograph by: Vancouver Sun Files, Handout
VANCOUVER - The B.C. Supreme Court has done what the provincial government would not: It has halted work on a coal mine project because of a first nation's concerns about a threatened caribou herd.

The court ruled that the B.C. government failed to sufficiently consult with the West Moberly First Nation or accommodate its concerns over destruction of critical caribou habitat near Chetwynd.

The ruling, dated last Friday, was released Tuesday by the first nation.

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