Government decision on the Jumbo resort expected soon - Dave Quinn Photo

TMTVNEWS.COM, Invermere, B.C. — Environmental groups who have fought against a ski resort development in B.C.’s Jumbo Valley are putting out a call to drop the fighting words and come up with something different: A Valentine to a wild Jumbo Valley.

Robyn Duncan, Wildsight’s Purcells program manager, says the groups are joining together to protect the wild valley and its glaciers from an unsustainable development.

“Rumors are thick on the ground about the government moving closer to signing off on the master development agreement,” Duncan said. “This would represent a decision on Jumbo in the wrong direction.”

Duncan can cite a number of studies that conclude the proposed resort would compromise grizzly populations in the central Purcells, which is key habitat in the overall Purcell Mountain system.

“The loss of connectivity here could devastate grizzlies in the southern Purcells,” she said. Grizzlies are a keystone species—they represent the health of an ecosystem.

“When we take steps to protect their dwindling habitat, we take steps for all wildlife sharing that habitat, and for all the people who rely on this particular healthy ecosystem for clean air, clean water and biological diversity.”

The groups suspect time might be short, as rumors of a decision preceded a junket to France, when pro-resort personalities, including MLA Bill Bennett, will meet with potential investors.

“We want people to send a valentine to Premier Clark via www.JumboWild.com,” Duncan said. “Or by cutting out the newspaper valentines across the region and mailing them in.”

Duncan said it’s still important to let the Premier know if you are opposed to the resort development, and why.

People share many concerns,” she said, “from protection of habitat to the questionable economics and community impacts of the proposal. As well, The Qat’muk Declaration makes clear the Ktunaxa’s strong opposition to the development for spiritual reasons.”

“We are encouraging individuals to express their love for this place in a Valentine to a wild Jumbo Valley.”

“We’ve looked at this issue in great depth,” she said. “We’ve read the scientific reports, and the most recent economic report which concluded that Jumbo would not be the economic boon it has been promoted to be. The conclusion is obvious, this resort is unsuitable for the land it sits on and for the communities it will affect.”

“We’re asking people to talk about their values in Valentines—and we are hoping the Premier reads the love for this place that goes into them.”