Jumbo Wild

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.

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.

What you can do

Contact your local MLA, the Minister of Natural Resource Operations, the Minister of Environment, and Premier Gordon Campbell. Tell them the Jumbo resort proposal is unsustainable and will damage the glaciers, watershed and wildlife of the Jumbo Valley and beyond. It’s time to end this destructive pipe-dream once and for all.


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

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