The Bonaparte, Xaxli’p and Ts’Kw’aylax First Nations continue to tell the provincial government that they are opposed to coalbed methane development in Hat Creek.

As reported by Dogwood Initiative on February 23 ( click here), the Bonaparte Indian Band recently affirmed their “no go” position and once again asserted their Aboriginal Title and Rights in the area.

Apparently, representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Mines were asked to leave a Ts’Kw’aylax First Nation meeting in late February, in which coalbed methane was the subject of discussion, as band members were united in their opposition to government proposals.

What remains unexplained, is why government is so aggressively pushing coalbed methane in Hat Creek. Expected royalty returns are modest and likely could not even start until this government is history. The local economic impact is even less promising, none of the First Nations or ranchers support the initiative, and the potential environmental impacts are severe.

Stay tuned: Dogwood Initiative will provide answers to these questions, and continue to break news on coalbed methane activities around British Columbia.