Jumbo Wild Forever
A proposal for a new resort town in the East Kootenays threatens core habitat for grizzlies and other endangered species. The BC Provincial Government is expected to make a decision soon on creating a new city in order to allow the creation of a mega-resort in the heart of the Purcells.
Update: On March 20, 2012, the Minister of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations announced that he had approved the Master Development Agreement for the Jumbo Glacier Resort. The project will still have to go through zoning and permitting applications, and there is no anticipated date when the project could break ground. The approval finally reveals what we have known for several years – that the provincial government supports this short-sighted development. The Jumbo Glacier Resort Ltd. company has been actively recruiting for additional investors. Their main target: La Compagnie des Alpes, a ski-resort developer based in France.
Stay informed, stay involved: Here is a link to sign up for email updates from jumbowild.org
Contribute to the cause! The West Kootenay Coalition for Jumbo Wild includes a diverse group working together to keep Jumbo Wild Forever. Your contribution helps us print postcards, bumper stickers and buttons, information sheets, and more. Every dollar you contribute goes directly to help Keep Jumbo Wild. To make a contribution by cheque, make it payable to West Kootenay Coalition for Jumbo Wild, and send it care of EcoSociety, 206-507 Baker St, Nelson V1l 4J2. You can also make a donation by Paypal with your credit card or Paypal account.
What’s at Stake
Photo by LindaRs
The Jumbo Valley is a rare treasure, ecologically viable despite past and present recreation and industry activity. Currently, no all-season roads penetrate the valley, and there is no permanent development. It is nestled in the Central Purcell Mountains, which represent the largest non-roaded wilderness in Southern BC and are part of the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation area. The Purcells are vital habitat for many plants and animals including wide-ranging species like grizzly bear, mountain goat, and wolverine and mountain caribou.
What’s Proposed
Recently published research found that the development would result in the local loss of grizzly bears and would reduce the likelihood that the regional population can survive into the future.
- A network of 23 ski lifts crisscrossing 4 glaciers
- Over 6,500 bed units including over 1300 private residences
- Shopping malls, a place of worship, night clubs, restaurants – all the trappings of a full-fledged town about the size of Nelson, BC
- Convert 6,000+ hectares of public land into a year-round, permanent, European-style resort.
The Jumbo Glacier Resort Proposal has been a source of intense public controversy since it was first proposed in 1991. This real estate development would create a small city in the heart of the magnificent Jumbo Valley. The new year-round resort would be 55kms west of Invermere in the heart of the Purcell Range and adjacent to the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy in British Columbia.
In 2010, the Ktunaxa Nation sent 50 delegates to Victoria in order to make the Qat’Muk Declaration. The Declaration states that the Jumbo Valley is the spiritual home of the grizzly bear spirit, and it establishes a permanent wildlife refuge in the Valley in accordance with its crucial part in Ktunaxa culture. The Ktunaxa Nation and the Sinixt Nation consider the Jumbo Valley area part of their traditional unceded territory, and both groups claim rights and title to the land.
Proposed Village Site
- There are 13 existing ski resorts within a 3 hour driving distance from the Jumbo area. None operate at capacity
- The Sinixt and Ktunaxa Nations have registered opposition to the project
- As a result of global warming, the glaciers are retreating and are predicted to be entirely melted within 4 decades
- Scott and Rob Niedermayer of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks have donated their time as well as jerseys, hats, and hockey sticks to support the “Keep Jumbo Wild” campaign
- 91% of 5,839 individual responses to the Environmental Assessment Office’s call for input on the Jumbo Glacier Resort proposal were against it. (Environmental Assessment Office Website)
- The Sierra Club and the David Suzuki Foundation are among the many organizations that have opposed this destructive resort.
Here are 11 things you can do to help Keep Jumbo Wild:
- Write to the French investors
- Jumbo Wild! Rhythm & Blues Fundraiser: June 9, 7pm at the Royal
- Join the jumbowild! Facebook group
- Submit to the Jumbo book project
- Jumbo Teach-In, May 23, Nelson United Church
- Buy The Purcell Suite. Gift it! All proceeds to Jumbo Wild.
- Organize a fundraising, funraising event
- Donate money, buy buttons, cards, etc.
- Make Art for JumboWild! Art Show
- Sign up for Updates at jumbowild.com
- Sign the Avaaz petition
Learn more: www.jumbowild.com www.qatmuk.com www.beforejumbo.org www.sinixtnation.org
Je jure faire mon possible pour stopper ce projet destructeur.
• terre sacrée des Premières Nations violée
• l’integrité écologique brisée
• démocratie baffouée
J’appuie un Jumbo pur, naturel et sauvage.
(meaning: I swear to do my utmost to stop this destructive project: 1) first
nations lands violated 2) ecological integrity comprised 3) democracy ignored.
I support a wild and natural Jumbo.)
SNAIL ADDRESS: La Compagnie des Alpes, 89 Rue Escudier, 92772
Boulogne-Billancourt, France. P.S. send them interesting stuff!!!!!
FAX: +33 1 46 84 88 53 and +33 1 46 84 88 79
EMAIL ADDRESSES: CEO: Dominique.Marcel@companiedesalpes.fr
Risk manager: Victoire.Aubry@companiesdesalpes.fr
Investor relations: claire.monteil-robert@compagniedesalpes.fr
Head of communications: sandra.picard@compagniedesalpes.fr
Communications Director: martine.blain@compagniedesalpes.fr
Industrial Direction: roland.dider@compagniedesalpes.fr
General: communication@compagniedesalpes.fr
Speakers include Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston, Adrian Dix, a contender for the NDP leadership and Bob Campsall, a councillor from the District of Invermere, the nearest community to the proposed ski resort.
For more updates and information, follow the links below:
More film from the rally: http://youtu.be/W5lCZ0-hfNA
Anti-Jumbo Fires Continues To Burn – BC Local News – Feb 7, 2011
Globe Writer Looks into Jumbo
“The story is on the Globe website and as of Tuesday morning had generated 166 comments.” – Black Press Reporter – Nelson Star, Feb 22, 2011
Exploring the wild frontier of Jumbo Valley, B.C.
-Globe and Mail, Feb 28, 2011
After 21 Years, It’s Time For Jumbo Decision
- Vancouver Sun, March 5, 2011
Will a Decision come on Jumbo?
- Invermere Valley Echo, March 8, 2011
PROTESTERS’ GUIDE TO THE LAW OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
