Evidence on the Adequacy of First Nations Consultation - BC Hydro ...

4. THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE EAST KOOTENAYS
As this study will make reference to numerous locations and their inter-relating roles in the traditional
and more recent Ktunaxa modes of life, a description of major aspects of the region’s geography is
useful. The territory of the Ktunaxa features dramatic and formative geological features, most
notably three high north-south mountain ranges - the Rockies, Purcells and Selkirks – and two major
river systems, the Columbia and the Kootenay. An interesting feature of the territory is that these two
great rivers rise within a few miles of each other, and form opposing arcs of hundreds of miles in
length before joining near the town of Castlegar and flowing south through Washington State.
Other crucial elements of the economic geography of the region are the many mountain passes, which
traditionally provided the Ktunaxa people access to both upland game and material resources beyond
these mountains, most notably the bison of the western plains and fish in the West Kootenay region.
Some of these passes are now used as routes for major rail and road links.
These features naturally give rise to a great diversity of biogeoclimatic zones, ranging from damp
timberlands to xeric grasslands to alpine tundra and consequently a wide range of adaptations in
resource utilization which include the broad array of mammals, fish, birds, plants and invertebrates
(e.g. molluscs) that have sustained the Ktunaxa and their ancestors for millennia.
The highest abundance and diversity of wildlife species within the Nelson Forest Region occurs in the
East Kootenay. This are is unique in its capacity to support seven species of ungulates, many of which
inhabit the same winter ranges. This diversity, couple with the capacity to support several species of
carnivores, makes the East Kootenay a wildlife area of national significance. 4
A breakdown of this diversity indicating that the study area has the best wildlife values in the region
has been tabulated by Pinnell in a 1998 report on the impact of forestry and titled “Background
Information for Kootenay-Boundary Region” 5
Southern Park Ranges
Location: Rocky Mountains including Bull River and Blaeberry River
Terrain: Rugged mountains, long rivers and narrow valleys, 1100 to 3500m
Rainshadow area, cool and dry
Wildlife: Moose, elk, white-tailed deer, grizzly and black bear, mule deer in valley bottoms
Bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, mountain goats at higher elevations
Central Park Ranges
Location: Rocky Mountains from Blaeberry in the south to Hugh Allen Creek
Terrain: High, rugged mountains with glaciers, short steep sided mountains
600 to 3300 m
Wildlife: Floodplains, riparian and avalanche tracks provide habitat for moose, elk, grizzly,
black bear, beaver, wolf
Caribou population reduced due to flooding of Columbia
Big Bend Trench
Location: Northwest of Donald Station
Terrain: Narrow straight valley with steep sides; 680 to 1100m
4 Demarchi, D.A., 1986, from Braumandl, T.F., and Curran, M.P , p. 201, 2002
5 Pinnell, Heather; pp. 21, 22, 1998
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