The health of our rivers and aquatic ecosystems matters deeply to Fernie residents and everyone living in the Elk Valley. Now, residents have a unique opportunity to have their voices heard as the Province seeks input on the updated Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (EVWQP).

In 2014, the BC government approved the Elk Valley Area Based Management Plan (ABMP), a critical document guiding long-term environmental planning and regulation around mining activities. Nearly a decade later, the province is revising the EVWQP, specifically focusing on setting acceptable selenium levels and managing contaminants resulting from the region’s mines.

Selenium, a naturally occurring element, can become harmful at elevated levels due to mining activities, posing risks to aquatic life and the ecosystems of the Elk River watershed. Recognizing the importance of these challenges, Elk Valley Resources (EVR) has made significant progress in water treatment technologies, successfully reducing selenium concentrations in some local waterways and demonstrating ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

The updated plan, currently open for public feedback, outlines clear goals, objectives, and targets designed to further reduce contaminants and protect the health of our water systems now and into the future. Developed with collaboration between Indigenous communities, industry, environmental experts, and government agencies, the plan underscores a collective approach to environmental management. Read the draft plan here.

This is your chance to shape policies that will impact the health of the Elk Valley for generations. If you care about the future of our aquatic life, ecosystems, and community health, make your voice heard by emailing your comments to elkvalleywaterquality@gov.bc.ca before the May 30 deadline.

Together, we can ensure that the Elk Valley remains vibrant, sustainable, and healthy—for ourselves and for future generations.