"Mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction will not be permitted in British Columbia's Flathead Valley," announced Lieutenant Governor Steven Point by during the Speech from the throne February 10th, 2010.

"We applaud the government for doing the right thing for the Flathead River Valley." states John Bergenske, executive director of Wildsight. "The next step is to connect the Flathead through the spine of the Rockies as a provincial wildlife management area so that wildlife values are adequately managed."

Conservation groups urge these further steps as critical to the integrity of the Flathead/Crown of the Continent ecosystem. This ecosystem contains British Columbia's most endangered river, the world's first international peace park, and a biological richness that scientists around the world identify as needing protection.

In January, a team of UN scientists recommended a moratorium on mining in the valley, noting nearby Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton International Park in Canada were listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995 because of their outstanding scenery and abundant wildlife.