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

BEC: ICH only; wet and cool
Wildlife: Severely impacted by impoundment of Columbia River at Mica Creek
Caribou almost eliminated; moose, grizzly and black bears
East Kootenay Trench
Location: Rocky Mountain Trench from north of Golden to the south
Terrain: Valley 700 to 1100m
BEC: PP, IDF, MS, ICH
Wildlife: Best ecosection for wild game due to grasslands, shrublands and wetlands
Elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer winter throughout; bighorn sheep on steep south-facing
slopes on east side of trench
Impacts on wildlife arise not only because of direct loss of feed and cover for these animals due to
land disturbances but the long term suppression of genetic viability arising out of fragmentation and
the loss of migration corridors. For example Ministry of Forests Land Management Handbook No.
20 6 states:
For some species habitat fragmentation results in increased predation and parasitism while others are
subjected to harsher weather conditions or increased vulnerability to large-scale fires and disease
epidemics. Small populations are also susceptible to demographic changes such as loss of
reproductively active individuals and may experience loss of genetic variability through inbreeding.
One way to minimize problems associated with habitat fragmentation is to link wildlife habitat patches
by travel corridors. Such landscape linkages can function as pathways for genetic interchange, for daily
or seasonal movements, and for range extension.
Although this material was originally intended to address to concerns about timber harvesting
practices, it is directly applicable to the impacts of the proposed project as well. With respect to the
Columbia Valley Transmission project, the Ktunaxa Nation is concerned about potential impacts of
land disturbances on wildlife and fishing populations, especially concerning hunting and fishing
opportunities and pressures, traditional food and medicine gathering areas and sacred or spiritual
sites.
5. GENERAL NOTES ON THE KTUNAXA PEOPLE
The consulting report of Keefer et al 7 made on behalf of the Ktunaxa Nation with respect to the
proposed Jumbo Glacier resort project provides good summaries of the present and as well as the precontact
bands of the Ktunaxa people. The report indicates that there are currently seven bands of
Ktunaxa people consisting of five “northern” or Canadian bands and two “southern” bands in the
USA:
•The Columbia Lake Band (a·kisq’nuknik’) near Windermere, B.C.; this band consists of the descendants of the
qatmukinik (Toby Creek) and Whiteswan Lake (kaintak Band).
•The Tobacco Plains Band (a·kanuxunik’) near Grasmere, BC, originally lived near the Graves Creek and Small
Creek. At the time of the government imposing reserves on the people this band was camping at the present day
border crossing, Rooseville, B.C.
6 Braumandl, T.F., and Curran, M.P., pp. 204, 2002
7 Keefer, M. et al, 2004
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